President Donald Trump said Friday that he has not considered pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of Jeffrey Epstein, but made clear he has the authority to do so if he chooses.
“It’s something I haven’t thought about,” Trump told reporters on the South Lawn before departing for Scotland. “I’m allowed to do it, but it’s something I have not thought about.”
Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for aiding Epstein in the trafficking of minors. Her name has resurfaced amid renewed scrutiny over the Epstein files and growing public demand for transparency.
Context Behind the Comments
Trump’s remarks come as his administration faces bipartisan pressure to release unredacted documents related to the Epstein case. A newly released Justice Department memo claimed there is no “client list” associated with Epstein—an assertion that has sparked disbelief and frustration across both parties.
Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, have questioned whether Maxwell’s recent interviews with the Department of Justice could be part of an effort to obtain a pardon.
“She probably wants a pardon from Donald Trump,” Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) told KABC. “Her meeting with Trump’s DOJ cannot be trusted unless backed by solid documentation.”
Trump Speaks Again After Landing in Scotland
After arriving in Scotland for a five-day trip that includes meetings with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and visits to Trump golf properties, the president reiterated that this was “not the time” to talk about pardons.
“A lot of people are asking me about pardons,” he said. “But this is just not the time to be talking about them.”
Maxwell’s Team Responds
David Markus, a lawyer for Maxwell, confirmed that her legal team has not been in contact with President Trump regarding a pardon.
“We haven’t spoken to the president or anybody about a pardon just yet,” Markus said. “The president this morning said he had the power to do so, and we hope he exercises that power in a right and just way.”
Growing Political Fallout
While Trump holds broad constitutional authority to issue pardons, granting one to Maxwell could deepen the controversy surrounding the Epstein case. Recent polls show public dissatisfaction with how the Trump administration has handled the release of Epstein-related documents.
Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) warned on X:
“Ghislaine is looking for a pardon, and who better to give it to her than a co-conspirator now in the Oval Office.”
Former federal prosecutor Joyce White Vance echoed the concern, suggesting Maxwell’s testimony would be suspect without documented evidence to support her claims:
“Trump could pardon her on his last day in office, and she knows he’s her only shot at release.”
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson added his doubts about Maxwell’s credibility:
“Could she be counted on to tell the truth? She’s serving a long sentence for horrific crimes.”
What’s Next
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed on Friday that DOJ officials would meet with Maxwell again to discuss new potential evidence. What she has shared—or may share—remains unknown. President Trump, meanwhile, is expected to continue facing questions about both the potential pardon and the unreleased Epstein files in the days ahead.
