Ghislaine Maxwell pleads the Fifth, asks for clemency
Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime partner of deceased sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein, appeared virtually on Monday in D.C., but she refused to answer questions
by Summer Lane | February 9, 2026
Ghislaine Maxwell’s anticipated testimony before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Monday seemed to yield no results at all for those hungry for more information about lingering questions concerning the many alleged crimes of the late Jeffrey Epstein.
According to Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), Maxwell was not cooperative.
“As expected, Ghislaine Maxwell took the Fifth and refused to answer any questions,” he told reporters Monday morning. “This is obviously very disappointing. 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 the survivors – that’s what this investigation’s about.”
The “Fifth” refers to the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Invoking it means that one refuses to answer questions that may cause self-incrimination.
Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, published his statement delivered to the House Committee on Monday, explaining his client’s decision to invoke the Fifth.
“She must remain silent because Ms. Maxwell has a habeas petition currently pending that demonstrates that her conviction rests on a fundamentally unfair trial,” he wrote.
Markus also said that if House representatives and the American people want to hear the “unfiltered truth about what happened,” Ms. Maxwell is requesting one thing: clemency.
“Ms. Maxwell is prepared to speak fully and honestly if granted clemency by President Trump,” he said. “Only she can provide the complete account. Some may not like what they hear, but the truth matters. For example, both President Trump and President Clinton are innocent of any wrongdoing. Ms. Maxwell alone can explain why, and the public is entitled to that explanation.”
And, amid speculation following the release of millions of Epstein-related documents from the Department of Justice, Republicans additionally addressed murmurs surrounding former President Bill Clinton and current President Donald Trump’s association with the disgraced financier.
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) told reporters on Monday that Ms. Maxwell’s attorney stated to the committee that “she has no indication and would say that neither Presidents Trump or Clinton are culpable for any wrongdoing.”
Photo: Democrats on the House Oversight Committee
