Ghislaine Maxwell, who testified via video link during a closed-door session of the U.S. House Oversight Committee on Monday, declined to answer questions related to Jeffrey Epstein, invoking her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination—just as Epstein had previously done.
Republican Committee Chairman James Comer said Maxwell, “as expected,” refused to testify under the Fifth Amendment.
“This was extremely disappointing,” Comer said. “We had many questions about the crimes committed by her and Epstein, as well as potential accomplices. Our goal is to uncover the truth and deliver justice for the victims.”
The Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution grants individuals the right to remain silent when answers could incriminate them.
Allegation: “She Turned the Hearing Into a Pardon Campaign”
Democratic Representative Melanie Stansbury argued that Maxwell had turned the congressional hearing into “a campaign for a pardon.”
Citing interviews with Epstein’s victims, Comer described Maxwell as “a very bad person” and said she did not deserve immunity under any circumstances.
Lawyer Says She Would Speak If Pardoned
Maxwell’s attorney David Oscar Markus previously stated on social media that his client would be willing to speak openly and honestly if she were granted a pardon by President Donald Trump.
“Only she can tell the full truth,” Markus said. “Some people may not like what they hear, but the truth matters.”
Warning From Victims
Ahead of Maxwell’s testimony, a group of Epstein victims sent a letter to Congress urging lawmakers to approach any statements from Maxwell with caution.
The letter emphasized that Maxwell has refused to identify “numerous powerful men” within Epstein’s network and has failed to cooperate meaningfully with law enforcement. The victims warned that any form of “special treatment” for Maxwell would have disastrous consequences.
The White House has previously stated that no pardon or sentence reduction for Maxwell is under consideration.
Trump Connection Was on the Agenda
In 2021, Maxwell was convicted of recruiting underage girls for Epstein and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Epstein, meanwhile, was found dead in his jail cell in 2019.
Democratic Representative Ro Khanna said he planned to question Maxwell about “four accomplices” she referenced in a court filing last year, as well as 25 individuals who were never charged.
Khanna also intended to ask about the social relationship between Maxwell, Epstein, and Trump, and whether a possible pardon had been discussed with her defense team.
Trump maintains that he engaged in no wrongdoing related to Epstein and claims he severed ties with him years ago.
Contradiction With Previous Statement
Khanna noted that Maxwell’s decision to remain silent contradicts her earlier stance. In a prior meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Maxwell did not invoke the Fifth Amendment.
According to Justice Department records, Maxwell stated during that July meeting that she had not witnessed inappropriate behavior by Trump or former President Bill Clinton, and claimed that no alleged “client list” exists.
Files Released to Lawmakers
Maxwell’s testimony had originally been scheduled for August last year but was postponed at her attorneys’ request pending a Supreme Court decision.
The hearing followed the Justice Department’s release of millions of pages of new documents related to the Epstein investigation.
Nearly three million pages of unredacted records are now available for members of Congress to review at the Justice Department building in Washington.
Comer welcomed the move, saying, “Making the unredacted documents accessible to lawmakers is a very positive development.”
