Crime

Ghislaine Maxwell Pleads Fifth, Seeks Clemency

Is Maxwell manipulating justice or is clemency needed to reveal the full truth about Epstein's network?

Published FEB 9

Ghislaine Maxwell Pleads Fifth, Seeks Clemency

Story

Above: Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) before entering the House Oversight Committee virtual deposition with Ghislaine Maxwell on Feb. 9. Image credit: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

The Facts

Ghislaine Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a virtual deposition before the U.S. House Oversight Committee on Monday, declining to answer questions about her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence in Texas after being convicted in 2021 of sex trafficking and conspiracy charges related to her role in Epstein's abuse of underage girls.
The Wall Street Journal
CNN
In addition, Maxwell's attorney, David Oscar Markus, stated that she would be willing to testify fully and honestly if granted clemency by President Donald Trump, claiming she could provide a complete account of events. Markus asserted in his opening statement that both Trump and former President Bill Clinton are innocent of any wrongdoing related to Epstein.
The Hill
New York Post
House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) expressed disappointment with Maxwell's refusal to testify — stating lawmakers had many questions about crimes she and Epstein committed, as well as potential co-conspirators. Comer told reporters he doesn't believe Maxwell should be granted any type of immunity or clemency.
Daily Mail
Axios
Democrats on the committee accused Maxwell of using the deposition to campaign for clemency from Trump, with Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.) stating that Maxwell isn't cooperating because she hopes to receive a pardon. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) said that Maxwell answered no questions and provided no information about the men who raped and trafficked women and girls.
The Times (UK)
MS Now
This comes after the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) last month released millions of internal documents related to Epstein, with members of Congress able to begin viewing unredacted copies this Monday. The House Oversight Committee has scheduled additional depositions, including with Clinton and his wife, Hillary Clinton.
ABC News
News Nation
Maxwell previously met with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche for nine hours over two days in July, during which she was granted limited immunity. She told him she never witnessed Trump in any inappropriate setting. She was transferred to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas shortly after that interview.
Politico
FOX News

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Maxwell's refusal to name the men who raped underage girls unless granted clemency is a disgraceful manipulation of the justice system. The fact that the president continues dangling clemency like a carrot instead of ruling it out completely for a child trafficker reveals everything about his priorities. She belongs in a maximum security prison, not negotiating her way out of accountability.

Adam Cochran on X

Ro Khanna on X

Narrative B

Punishing someone for exercising their Fifth Amendment right is authoritarian, not American, and the threats from sitting congresspeople should stop. Maxwell's conviction rests on a fundamentally unfair trial with jurors who lied and government promises broken. Granting clemency would allow the complete truth to emerge, including exonerating innocent public figures and providing the full account the public deserves.

David Oscar Markus on X