Ghislaine Maxwell, the notorious associate of Jeffrey Epstein, refused to answer any questions during her deposition before the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. According to Reuters, Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle confirmed that Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination, declining to provide any information that could potentially be used against her.
Maxwell is currently serving a twenty-year sentence following her 2021 conviction for helping Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls. Her legal team recently filed a petition to challenge her sentence, so it makes sense they are being incredibly cautious. Her relationship with Epstein and her role in his life and criminal activities have made her very controversial, with the House Speaker once questioning if she was even credible.
The refusal immediately drew intense criticism from the committee members. Committee Chairman, Republican Representative James Comer, told reporters that the situation was “obviously very disappointing.” He pointed out that the committee had many critical questions ready to go, covering the crimes she and Epstein committed, and crucially, questions about potential co-conspirators.
Her attorney had warned the committee that this was their plan if the deposition wouldn’t be delayed
Maxwell’s legal team isn’t just playing defense; they’re trying to play hardball. David Markus, a lawyer representing Maxwell, explained that he advised her to invoke the Fifth Amendment because she currently has a pending habeas petition. This petition essentially claims that her conviction is based on a “fundamentally unfair trial.”
Markus then dropped the bombshell of the day in a public statement to the Committee: “Ms. Maxwell is prepared to speak fully and honestly if granted clemency by President Trump,” Markus stated. That’s a stunning quid pro quo. She won’t talk unless the president lets her out of prison. In a public statement, Markus later threw out bait, claiming that Maxwell has the ability to explain why Trump and former US President Bill Clinton are innocent of any wrongdoing.
Here is my conclusion after sitting through Maxwell's deposition with her refusing to answer a single question about the men who raped underage girls, saying she would only do so for clemency.
— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) February 9, 2026
She must immediately be sent back to the maximum security prison where she belongs. https://t.co/1LiInZsP5i
This deposition comes after the DOJ released the latest tranche of documents related to the Epstein investigation, which has escalated the situation. Democrats on the committee accused Maxwell of using the deposition solely to campaign for clemency.
Representative James Walkinshaw (D-VA) stressed that the committee didn’t get any “substantive answers” to advance the investigation. “What we did get was another episode in her long-running campaign for clemency from President Trump.” He then issued a public challenge: “President Trump could end that today, he could rule out clemency for Ghislaine Maxwell, the monster.” I think that’s a fair point; it would remove that leverage.
This morning, Ghislaine Maxwell blanket pleaded the 5th during her deposition in the Epstein case. What’s the message? She seems to be making it clear to Donald Trump that he can buy her silence with clemency.
— Rep. Melanie Stansbury (@Rep_Stansbury) February 9, 2026
Not on our watch. Here is the latest.pic.twitter.com/B5cnL6zuQ9
The investigation is far from over, despite Maxwell’s silence. Chairman Comer confirmed that the committee has scheduled five more depositions to get answers. Those summoned include Bill and Hillary Clinton. We’ll have to wait and see if these sessions are more productive than the one with Maxwell.
