Fifth Amendment Invoked During Deposition
Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of Jeffrey Epstein, declined to answer questions from the US House Oversight Committee on Monday, invoking her Fifth Amendment rights. Maxwell, serving a 20-year sentence in a Texas federal prison for sex trafficking, appeared via video call in a deposition related to ongoing investigations into Epstein’s network. Lawmakers are seeking anyone who may have helped facilitate Epstein’s crimes, noting that both Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, mentioned repeatedly in newly released documents, had social ties with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Clemency Contingent on Testimony
Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, said she would be willing to speak fully if granted clemency by President Trump, claiming she could testify that neither Trump nor Clinton had engaged in wrongdoing. Markus framed Maxwell as the only person who could provide a full explanation of the former presidents’ involvement, saying the public “is entitled to that explanation.” Maxwell’s comments and her legal team’s appeal come amid heightened attention following the release of millions of documents related to Epstein’s crimes.
Political Backlash and Ongoing Legal Battles
Both Republicans and Democrats strongly opposed Maxwell’s attempt to secure a pardon. New Mexico Democrat Melanie Stansbury accused her of “campaigning for clemency,” while Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna tweeted blunt warnings, declaring, “NO CLEMENCY. You comply or face punishment,” and calling for justice. Maxwell has also sought to overturn her conviction, claiming her trial was flawed, but the Supreme Court rejected her appeal last year. In December, she requested a New York federal judge review new evidence she says shows constitutional violations, a petition her attorney referenced in explaining her Fifth Amendment plea. With Epstein’s crimes affecting girls as young as 11, lawmakers continue to scrutinize Maxwell’s role in his network.
