Ghislaine Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination on Monday. She refused to answer questions during a virtual deposition before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Her attorney said she would cooperate with lawmakers if she receives clemency from Donald Trump.
Maxwell appeared remotely from federal prison. She repeatedly declined to respond to questions about her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, his crimes, and possible co-conspirators. Video of the deposition was later released by the Oversight Committee.
“As expected, Ghislaine Maxwell took the Fifth and refused to answer any questions. This obviously is very disappointing,” Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer told reporters. “We had many questions to ask about the crimes she and Epstein committed, as well as questions about potential co-conspirators. We sincerely want to get to the truth for the American people and justice for survivors.”
Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, told lawmakers that his client’s silence is tied to ongoing legal matters. He said she would testify fully if granted clemency by the president.
“If this committee and the American public truly want to hear the unfiltered truth about what happened, there is a straightforward path,” Markus said. “Ms. Maxwell is prepared to speak fully and honestly if granted clemency by President Trump.”
Markus also claimed Maxwell would clear both Donald Trump and Bill Clinton of wrongdoing connected to Epstein.
“Both President Trump and President Clinton are innocent of any wrongdoing,” Markus said. “Ms. Maxwell alone can explain why, and the public is entitled to that explanation.”
Comer confirmed the committee has at least five more depositions scheduled as part of its investigation. Those include former Victoria’s Secret CEO Les Wexner, Epstein accountant Richard Kahn, and Epstein attorney Darren Indyke. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Clinton are also expected to testify later this month.
“We sincerely want to get to the truth for the American people and justice for survivors. That’s what this is about,” Comer said.
Democrats on the committee accused Maxwell of using her silence as leverage. Rep. Robert Garcia said Maxwell provided “no information” and suggested she had received special treatment after being transferred from a Florida prison to a minimum-security camp in Texas following interviews with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Republicans noted that Maxwell’s legal team claimed she has no evidence implicating either Trump or Clinton. Rep. Andy Biggs said Maxwell’s attorney told lawmakers she has no indication either man is culpable.
Other Democrats, including Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, dismissed Maxwell’s offer to testify as a calculated bid for a pardon.
“This is all strategy for her to try to get a pardon from President Trump,” Subramanyam said, adding that Maxwell showed no remorse for victims.
Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of federal sex-trafficking charges related to her role in Epstein’s abuse of underage girls. She is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.
President Trump has said he has not given serious consideration to granting Maxwell clemency. “I don’t rule it in or out,” Trump said previously, while adding that he has not thought about it for months.