Ghislaine Maxwell’s refusal to answer questions before Congress draws criticism: ‘Who is she protecting?’ | Ghislaine Maxwell

Ghislaine Maxwell refused to answer questions during a closed-door congressional testimony Monday, drawing criticism from a House representative supporting efforts to release Jeffrey Epstein’s investigative files.

Robert Garcia, ranking member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said in a statement that Maxwell invoked the Fifth Amendment and refused to testify during his scheduled deposition. Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, also said she invoked her Fifth Amendment right.

“After defying our subpoena for months, Ghislaine Maxwell finally appeared before the Oversight Committee and said nothing,” said Garcia, a California Democrat. “She did not answer any questions or provide any information about the men who raped and trafficked women and girls.

“Who is she protecting? And we need to know why the Trump administration gave her special treatment in a low-security prison. We are going to end this White House cover-up.”

Maxwell, who was convicted of luring teenage girls into Epstein’s abusive orbit, is serving a 20-year sentence.

“Upon my advice, Ghislaine Maxwell will respectfully invoke her right to silence and refuse to answer questions today even though she would very much like to answer your questions,” Markus, her lawyer, told the committee, according to a statement he posted on

“If this committee and the American public truly want to hear the unfiltered truth about what happened, there is a simple path,” he added. “Ms. Maxwell is prepared to speak fully and honestly if President Trump grants her clemency. Only she can provide a complete account. Some may not like what they hear, but the truth matters.

“For example, President Trump and President Clinton are innocent of any wrongdoing. Only Ms. Maxwell can explain why, and the public is entitled to that explanation.”

The White House has been contacted for comment. A spokesperson pointed to prior comments from press secretary Karoline Leavitt on the pardon issue, in which she said it was not something Trump was thinking about or discussing.

Ro Khanna, a Democratic representative from California who co-sponsored the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA) with Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, noted before Monday’s session that Maxwell’s expected silence conflicted with his apparent willingness to provide information this summer. Maxwell met Todd Blanche, Donald Trump’s deputy attorney general, in July for a two-day meeting.

“This position appears inconsistent with Ms. Maxwell’s prior conduct, in that she did not invoke the Fifth Amendment during her previous meeting with Assistant Attorney General Todd Blanche to discuss a substantially similar topic,” Khanna said.

Maxwell’s lawyers even emphasized Maxwell’s willingness to answer questions following this interview.

“Ghislaine answered every question that was asked of her over the last day and a half. She answered those questions honestly, sincerely, to the best of her ability,” Markus, her lawyer, said after the interview. “She never invoked privilege. She never refused to answer a question.”

Under questioning by Blanche, who previously served as Trump’s criminal defense attorney, Maxwell largely distanced the president from Epstein. Trump has faced a political minefield for months after abandoning his campaign promise to release the Epstein files.

Trump is not accused of wrongdoing regarding Epstein and has denied any wrongdoing. Trump also said he and Epstein had a falling out and called the records a hoax, despite signing EFTA.

Khanna also provided the list of questions he planned to ask Maxwell. He planned to question her about the “four named co-conspirators” and the 25 men who negotiated secret settlements that she mentioned in her ill-fated petition for relief to the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Is this statement accurate? Khanna intended to ask. “Who are the four co-conspirators and 25 men, other than Jeffrey Epstein, who sexually abused minors on Epstein’s island?”

Khanna said he also planned to question Maxwell about “client lists,” or records naming his associates.

The Justice Department said there was no list of names identifying the men who participated in Epstein’s abuse. Newly released documents, past court proceedings and statements from accusers have raised questions about that claim.

When asked to comment on expectations that Maxwell would invoke the Fifth before the session, her brother Ian said: “Ghislaine has been informed and will invoke her Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination and refuse to answer questions.”