Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of Jeffrey Epstein currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, appeared virtually before the US House Oversight Committee on Monday, refusing to answer questions regarding her crimes or potential co-conspirators.
❌ ‘I respectively decline to answer this question and any related questions.’
Ghislaine Maxwell wore her prison uniform while testifying before Congress that she could not answer any questions about Jeffrey Epstein, video footage shows.
Maxwell spoke only to spell her name and… pic.twitter.com/crkqE9Gl9X
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) February 10, 2026
Fifth Amendment Plea Stalls Congressional Inquiry
Appearing from a federal prison in Texas, Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment right to remain silent throughout the closed-door deposition. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) expressed frustration at the outcome, noting that while the silence was “expected,” it remains a significant setback for the investigation.
“We had many questions to ask about the crimes she and Epstein committed, as well as questions about potential co-conspirators,” Chairman Comer told reporters. “We sincerely want to get to the truth for the American people and justice for the survivors.”
“Clemency Campaign” vs. Survivor Skepticism
Democratic Representative Melanie Stansbury noted that Maxwell appeared to use the session to “campaign for clemency.” This aligns with earlier statements from Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, who suggested his client would be “prepared to speak fully and honestly” if granted a pardon or clemency by President Donald Trump.
However, a coalition of Epstein survivors has urged Congress to remain skeptical of Maxwell’s offers. In a letter sent prior to the hearing, survivors criticized Maxwell for her continued refusal to identify “powerful men” involved in the trafficking ring, stating that any special treatment would be “catastrophic” for those seeking justice.
Political Friction and Un-redacted Files
The deposition also touched on the broader political implications of the Epstein files. Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) highlighted inconsistencies in Maxwell’s behavior, noting she had previously spoken to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche without invoking the Fifth Amendment. During that prior meeting, Maxwell reportedly denied the existence of a rumored “client list” and stated she witnessed no inappropriate conduct by high-profile figures.
The hearing coincides with a major transparency milestone: the Department of Justice has begun allowing members of Congress to view un-redacted versions of nearly three million pages of investigative files.
Current Status of the Investigation
While Maxwell continues to seek legal avenues for release, the White House has maintained that “no leniency is being given or discussed.” The House Oversight Committee remains committed to reviewing the newly released DOJ files to determine if further indictments are warranted for the “four named co-conspirators” and dozens of others mentioned in previous court filings.
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