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Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for her role in sex trafficking of minors, invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a virtual deposition before the House Oversight Committee on February 9, 2026.
The closed-door session was part of the committee’s ongoing probe into Epstein’s activities and the release of related government files. Maxwell, appearing from prison, repeatedly refused to answer lawmakers’ questions, stating variations of “I invoke my Fifth Amendment right to silence.” House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) expressed disappointment afterward, noting that Maxwell had an opportunity to address questions of significant public interest but chose not to cooperate.
Following the deposition, Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, issued a statement indicating that his client was prepared to provide a full and honest account of Epstein’s actions—but only if granted clemency by President Donald Trump. Markus emphasized that “only she can provide the complete account” the public deserves and added that Maxwell would testify that both President Trump and former President Bill Clinton were “innocent of any wrongdoing” in connection with Epstein.
The move was widely interpreted as a conditional offer of cooperation in exchange for presidential mercy, either in the form of a pardon or commutation of her sentence. Critics, including some Democratic lawmakers, viewed it as an attempt to leverage her silence or knowledge for personal gain. Rep. Melanie Stansbury and others described the approach as troubling given the gravity of the crimes involved.
### Background on the Case
Maxwell was convicted in 2021 on charges including sex trafficking of minors for her role in recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein. She has maintained her innocence and pursued appeals, including one rejected by the Supreme Court in October 2025. With her direct appeals exhausted, clemency from the president represents one of the few remaining avenues to reduce or end her incarceration.
Both Trump and Clinton have faced scrutiny over their past social associations with Epstein, documented through flight logs, photographs, and other records, though neither has been charged with any crimes related to Epstein’s sex trafficking operation.
### Recent Developments as of April 2026
In a mid-April 2026 interview with Politico, Markus reiterated that Maxwell “obviously wants clemency” and expressed optimism about her chances, stating there is “a good chance and for good reason that she would get a pardon.” However, he advised against pressing the issue immediately, citing the intense ongoing media and political focus on the Epstein files. Markus described his client as a “scapegoat” who would not have been prosecuted had Epstein not died in 2019. He noted that no formal request has yet been made to the Trump administration.
President Trump has previously stated that he had not given much thought to a pardon for Maxwell and had not ruled it out, saying he would consult the Department of Justice. As of now, no clemency has been granted. Some Republican figures, including Comer and House Speaker Mike Johnson, have voiced opposition to any such deal. Bipartisan resolutions opposing clemency have also been introduced in Congress.
The Epstein case continues to generate significant public interest and political division. Questions persist about the full scope of Epstein’s network, the handling of related documents by federal agencies, and whether additional individuals should face accountability. Maxwell’s attorney has framed her potential testimony as a path to transparency, while opponents argue that a convicted sex trafficker should not be in a position to negotiate the terms of her cooperation.
This latest chapter in the long-running saga underscores the tensions between legal rights, congressional oversight, and executive clemency powers in one of the most high-profile criminal cases in recent U.S. history. No further action on clemency has been announced, and the story remains subject to ongoing developments.
