Maxwell Seeks Trump Clemency to Reveal Epstein Truth
Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted accomplice of deceased sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, has refused to cooperate with US congressional investigators unless granted clemency by President Donald Trump. The move highlights the ongoing struggle for transparency in one of America's most notorious criminal cases.
The 64-year-old former British socialite, currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, appeared via video link from a Texas prison to face questioning by the House Oversight Committee. Wearing a standard beige prison uniform, Maxwell repeatedly invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when pressed about her criminal network.
Silence Despite Subpoena
Maxwell's deposition, released by the committee, showed her eyes cast downward as she refused to answer questions about co-conspirators, whether she and Epstein cultivated relationships with wealthy elites to avoid scrutiny, and crucially, whether Trump engaged in sexual activity with anyone she or Epstein introduced to him.
Her attorney, David Markus, made clear that his client would only speak publicly if granted presidential clemency. "If this committee and the American public truly want to hear the unfiltered truth about what happened, there is a straightforward path," Markus stated.
Notably, the lawyer claimed both Trump and former President Bill Clinton are "innocent of any wrongdoing," suggesting Maxwell possesses information that could exonerate powerful figures while potentially implicating others.
Justice Delayed, Truth Obscured
Maxwell remains the sole person convicted in connection with Epstein's extensive criminal enterprise. Epstein himself died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial, leaving many questions unanswered about his network of influential associates.
The recent release of millions of Justice Department documents under the Epstein Files Transparency Act has provided some insight, though heavy redactions protect the identities of potential co-conspirators. While victim names are appropriately protected, the law specifically prohibits withholding information based on "embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity" to public figures.
Congressional Access Reveals Hidden Names
Members of Congress who viewed unredacted files at secure Justice Department locations have made disturbing revelations. Representative Jamie Raskin noted seeing "lots of people who were redacted for mysterious or baffling reasons," including "enablers and cooperators."
Republican Representative Thomas Massie identified six men whose names remain hidden from public view, describing them as "likely incriminated by their inclusion in these files." One individual, Massie revealed, holds a senior position in a foreign government.
Most disturbing was Massie's disclosure of a 2009 email exchange between Epstein and a redacted sender discussing a "torture video," apparently involving "a Sultan."
Political Theater or Genuine Accountability?
The House Oversight Committee has also summoned Bill and Hillary Clinton to testify about their Epstein connections. The Clintons have demanded public depositions to prevent Republican politicization of their testimony.
Conspicuously absent from the witness list is Trump himself, despite his documented friendship with Epstein. The Republican-controlled committee's failure to call the current president raises questions about the investigation's true objectives.
With the Justice Department stating no new prosecutions are expected, Maxwell's potential testimony represents perhaps the last opportunity for meaningful accountability in this case that has implicated some of the world's most powerful individuals.