In a significant development, Ghislaine Maxwell is set to face questioning by the US Congress through videolink. The deposition will occur on Monday and will take place under closed doors, a move that raises eyebrows in Washington. However, Maxwell’s legal team has already indicated she might invoke her right not to answer questions, guaranteed under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Maxwell is currently serving 20 years in prison for trafficking minors. Her connections to Jeffrey Epstein have been extensive and far-reaching, involving powerful individuals across the globe who have faced scandal or resignation due to their ties with the convicted sex criminal. The House Oversight Committee is now delving deeper into these allegations as part of its investigation.
The revelations surrounding Epstein’s activities post-2009—when he was released from prison—have sparked significant political controversy globally. Despite no new prosecutions expected, the inquiry promises to bring further scrutiny on those with ties to a man who was convicted in 2008 for soliciting minors and whose death remains a point of contention.
Maxwell’s legal team has requested that Congress grant her immunity so she can testify during the deposition, but her lawyers argued against it, stating they would likely invoke their client’s Fifth Amendment right. They have emphasized this stance as necessary to protect their client from any potential self-incrimination.
The Trump administration has already faced criticism for its handling of Maxwell’s case, with one of her most recent meetings involving Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. Despite not being a part of the Oversight Committee itself, Blanche’s former role under President Donald Trump has added layers of intrigue to this legal saga.
Adding more complexity to the situation is the upcoming deposition of Bill and Hillary Clinton by the House Oversight Committee. The Clintons have called for their testimonies to be conducted publicly, hoping to prevent Republicans from using the proceedings as a platform for political maneuvering. Their stance reflects a broader push against politicization in government inquiries.
The questioning of Maxwell underscores how Epstein’s intricate web of connections has continued to unfold and impact public figures across different parties in Washington. With no immediate signs of new indictments or revelations, this deposition serves as both an investigation into the past and a potential opportunity for further political maneuvering in the current administration.