Ghislaine Maxwell's Lawyer Predicts Trump Pardon for Epstein Crimes
Ghislaine Maxwell's attorney has publicly stated that he believes President Donald Trump is likely to pardon the convicted sex trafficker, who was a longtime associate of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. In a new interview, David Oscar Markus, Maxwell's lawyer, told Politico that "there's a good chance and for good reason that she would get a pardon." He admitted he does not know the exact percentages but expressed confidence in the possibility.
Maxwell Described as a 'Scapegoat'
Markus described his client as "a scapegoat" who would never have been prosecuted if Epstein had not died by suicide while in prison in 2019. He emphasized that Maxwell "obviously wants clemency" and that this is no secret, but suggested the timing might not be ideal due to current events. The lawyer noted he has not yet spoken to the White House about a potential pardon and indicated patience is required.
Trump's Position on Clemency
President Trump has previously stated he has not given much thought to granting Maxwell clemency but has not ruled it out. Late last year, he told reporters he would "speak to the DOJ" about it. The idea has gained traction as Epstein's crimes continue to capture national attention, with some suggesting a pardon could allow Maxwell to detail other individuals allegedly involved in Epstein's network.
Strong Opposition from Lawmakers
A number of lawmakers, particularly Democrats, have expressed strong opposition to the notion of granting Maxwell any form of reprieve. Representative Robert Garcia, a California Democrat, told Politico that pardoning Maxwell would be "disgusting and outrageous," noting that she "helped Jeffrey Epstein traffic young women and girls." The brother of Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein victim who died last year, told NBC News in September that a pardon would be "the biggest slap in the face for us as a family and to these girls." He added that he does not think Maxwell's 20-year sentence is enough and that such individuals should be locked away forever.
Background on Maxwell's Conviction and Appeals
In 2022, Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted on multiple sex-crime charges, including sex trafficking of a minor, making her the only Epstein co-conspirator to be tried and found guilty. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison and has maintained her innocence. Last October, the Supreme Court denied her appeal seeking a review of whether prosecutors had fairly brought the case against her, leaving the White House as her only remaining path to freedom.
Recent Developments and Congressional Probe
The Epstein scandal has dominated headlines and haunted the Trump administration for months. Last year, Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, requiring the Department of Justice to release all its documents on Epstein. Although the department missed the law's deadline, it has since published millions of pages, many of which mention Trump and other prominent figures. The House Oversight Committee is now probing Epstein's network and has interviewed several individuals, including former President Bill Clinton and Ohio billionaire Les Wexner, who had close ties to Epstein. An appearance in the files does not imply wrongdoing, and many, including Trump, have denied involvement in Epstein's crimes.
Maxwell's Prison Transfer and Congressional Appearance
While serving her sentence in Florida, Maxwell participated in a lengthy interview with then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, the president's former attorney. During their sit-down, Maxwell said she never saw Trump engaged in any inappropriate behavior. Shortly afterward, she was moved to a minimum-security prison in Texas, a transfer that Trump said he knew nothing about. In February, Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment right and refused to answer questions during a virtual appearance before the House Oversight Committee. At the time, Markus said his client is "prepared to speak fully and honestly if granted clemency by President Trump."
