Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of Jeffrey Epstein, refused to answer questions during a closed-door congressional deposition on Monday, invoking her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. The move drew sharp criticism from Democratic Representative Robert Garcia, who accused her of protecting powerful individuals and alleged a White House cover-up.
Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, confirmed that she would remain silent, citing a pending habeas petition that challenges her conviction as fundamentally unfair. Markus also offered that Maxwell would speak fully if granted clemency by President Donald Trump, claiming she could explain why both Trump and former President Bill Clinton are innocent of any wrongdoing.
Representative Ro Khanna, co-sponsor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, noted that Maxwell’s silence contradicted her willingness to answer questions during a two-day interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in July. Khanna had planned to ask Maxwell about four named co-conspirators and 25 men she mentioned in a Supreme Court bid, who allegedly sexually abused minors at Epstein’s island.
The White House declined to comment on a potential pardon, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt previously stating it was not something Trump was considering. Trump has denied misconduct related to Epstein and has called the Epstein files a hoax, despite signing the transparency act.
