Ghislaine Maxwell's Bold Move: Demands Presidential Pardon for Testimony

Ghislaine Maxwell, once the close associate of Jeffrey Epstein in his notorious underage abuse and trafficking network, is back in the spotlight as she appeared - virtually and behind closed doors - before the United States Congress.

Rather than cooperating, Maxwell chose to invoke the Fifth Amendment, avoiding any inquiries from the House Oversight Committee, as disclosed by several news agencies on Tuesday.

In a surprising twist, she has laid down an unprecedented condition for breaking her silence: she will only testify if President Donald Trump grants her a pardon.

Unexpected Silence and a Bold Bargain

From her minimum-security prison in Texas, where she is serving a 20-year sentence, Maxwell was summoned on February 9 to testify before the committee investigating Epstein's connections with powerful figures.

Her appearance was anticipated by lawmakers, and as expected, she refused to answer questions under the protection of the Fifth Amendment, which allows individuals to avoid self-incrimination.

However, the message conveyed by her defense team caused a stir.

"President Trump has the power to end this right now," suggested her attorney, David Oscar Markus. "Ms. Maxwell is prepared to speak fully and honestly if President Trump grants her a pardon," he added.

Markus also stated that both Trump and Bill Clinton "are innocent of any crime," emphasizing that "only Ms. Maxwell can explain why."

Congress Outraged by Maxwell's Bold Demand

Maxwell's silence, paired with such an explicit political demand, sparked outrage among lawmakers.

Democratic Representative Melanie Stansbury was blunt: "It's very clear she's campaigning for a pardon."

Her colleague Robert García went further, accusing Trump's circle of shielding her: "After months of ignoring our subpoena, Ghislaine Maxwell finally appeared before the committee and remained silent. Who is she protecting?"

Even Republicans reacted with anger.

Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna posted on social media: "NO CLEMENCY. Comply or face punishment. You deserve JUSTICE for what you did, monster."

Committee Chairman James Comer expressed frustration over what he viewed as a missed opportunity: "We were seeking crucial information about accomplices who have yet to be prosecuted. Her silence is disappointing."

Epstein Files: Hidden Names, Partial Truths

Maxwell's testimony coincided with a new point of tension in the Epstein case: the partial release of the so-called Epstein files, court documents declassified under the Transparency Act passed in 2023.

This law mandates the Department of Justice to disclose all records related to Epstein, except for the victims' identities.

However, several lawmakers have raised concerns about influential names being redacted without clear justification. "There are six men, some with photos, whose names were removed without explanation," stated Democrat Ro Khanna, co-author of the law.

Republican Thomas Massie added that one of the redacted individuals "holds a significant position in a foreign government."

Khanna provided examples: emails sent to Epstein with phrases like "A new Brazilian, sexy and cute, just arrived..." or "Thanks for a fun night," with senders' names blacked out. For him, this represents a "flagrant violation" of the law.

The Trump, Clinton Connection and Cover-Up Allegations

Maxwell's attempt to exchange her testimony for clemency gains further significance due to the figures she mentions: Donald Trump and Bill Clinton. Both had public and private ties with Epstein during the 1990s and 2000s.

Photos, flight logs, and diary entries confirm their encounters with the financier and Maxwell herself.

Neither has been formally charged, but Trump's name appears on an FBI list that includes anonymous allegations of sexual assault. The Department of Justice has clarified that these are "false and sensationalist claims" made in the run-up to the 2020 elections.

"There is no credible evidence against President Trump," the institution emphasized in a recent statement. However, the echo of leaked documents has fueled doubts and reignited public pressure on both former presidents.

Clinton, along with his wife, Hillary Clinton, has been subpoenaed to testify before the same committee at the end of February. According to Maxwell's defense, her testimony could also clear them.

From Willing Witness to Accused Cover-Up Agent

Maxwell's behavior has shown notable inconsistencies. In July 2023, she met for two days with then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche without invoking her right to silence. Her sudden change in stance now that Congress is questioning her has been challenged by several legislators, including Ro Khanna himself: "This stance seems inconsistent with her previous conduct."

Maxwell is also pursuing another avenue to overturn her conviction. In December, she filed a motion with a federal judge in New York to reopen her case, arguing that her trial was marred by "constitutional violations."

For the victims, however, there is no ambiguity. Relatives of Virginia Giuffre, one of the most well-known accusers in the Epstein case, sent a letter to Congress labeling Maxwell as an "active accomplice" in the abuses, not just a mere witness.

Representative Jamie Raskin, visibly frustrated, expressed that the country is not taking the harm caused by Epstein's network seriously: "I fear that the overall decline of American life has conditioned people not to take this as seriously as we should."