House committee denies Ghislaine Maxwell immunity request

A U.S. House committee has rejected a request by Ghislaine Maxwell for immunity in exchange for her testimony about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence, was subpoenaed to testify before Congress on August 11 as part of its ongoing investigation into Epstein’s criminal network.

Maxwell, once a British socialite and close associate of Epstein, was convicted in 2021 for her role in helping Epstein recruit and sexually abuse underage girls. She is incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tallahassee, Florida.

The House Oversight Committee, which is leading the inquiry, declined to offer her immunity— a move that casts doubt on whether she will comply with the subpoena.

Maxwell’s Conditions: No Prison Testimony Without Legal Protection

In a letter to Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) on Tuesday, Maxwell’s attorney, David Markus, said she is willing to testify—under two conditions: she must be granted full legal immunity from further prosecution, and she must not be required to testify from prison.

“Ms. Maxwell cannot risk further criminal exposure in a politically charged environment without formal immunity,” Markus wrote. He also claimed that a prison setting “is not conducive to eliciting truthful and complete testimony” and presents serious security risks.

The committee responded through a spokesperson, stating, “The Oversight Committee will respond to Ms. Maxwell’s attorney soon, but it will not consider granting congressional immunity for her testimony.”

Legal experts note that congressional immunity is rare and especially unlikely for individuals already convicted in related cases.

President Trump Responds: No Plans for Pardon

President Donald Trump, currently serving his second non-consecutive term, has publicly stated that he does not plan to pardon Maxwell. The issue arose after renewed public interest in the Epstein investigation and speculation about Trump’s past social ties to both Epstein and Maxwell.

Speaking at a recent press conference, President Trump said, “I have no intention of pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell. The justice system is handling that matter.”

Trump has previously faced scrutiny over his associations with Epstein but has consistently denied any involvement in or knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.

Legal and Political Implications

Maxwell is currently seeking to overturn her conviction through an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Her refusal to testify without immunity could set up a legal showdown over whether Congress can compel testimony from an incarcerated person who fears additional charges.

If Maxwell continues to resist the subpoena, the House may seek to enforce it through the courts or coordinate with the Department of Justice to arrange for her testimony—potentially via secure video link or under transport to Washington.

For now, the ball remains in Congress’s court, as it navigates a complex and politically sensitive investigation that continues to ripple through elite circles in politics, finance, and beyond.