A top Department of Justice official plans to meet with convicted child s** trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell as lawmakers move to compel her testimony regarding potential co-conspirators in the Jeffrey Epstein case — a development that comes as the Trump administration faces mounting pressure over its handling of the so-called “Epstein files.”
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, in a statement released Tuesday by Attorney General Pam Bondi, confirmed he had contacted Maxwell’s attorneys to arrange the meeting, stating:
“If Ghislaine Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and DOJ will hear what she has to say.”
Blanche said no previous administration had reached out to Maxwell to explore her potential cooperation. “That changes now,” he added, saying he expects to meet with her in the coming days.
The announcement came on the same day the House Oversight Committee voted to subpoena Maxwell for a deposition. Tensions on Capitol Hill escalated when Speaker Mike Johnson abruptly adjourned the House early — blocking a Democrat-led vote to force the public release of the Epstein files.
Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 for trafficking underage girls for Epstein’s abuse, is serving a 20-year sentence at a federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida. She did not testify at her trial, but her lawyer, David Oscar Markus, confirmed on social media that discussions with the DOJ are ongoing.
“We are in discussions with the government and Ghislaine will always testify truthfully,” Markus wrote, adding, “We are grateful to President Trump for his commitment to uncovering the truth in this case.”
It remains unclear whether Maxwell is seeking a reduced sentence or even a presidential pardon in exchange for cooperation.
The Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein case has drawn bipartisan criticism. Earlier this year, Attorney General Bondi said Epstein’s client list was “sitting on my desk,” only for the DOJ to later claim no such list exists — and that there isn’t enough evidence to charge additional individuals. The reversal has angered lawmakers across party lines.
President Trump, once associated with Epstein before distancing himself years ago, has urged his base to move on from the scandal, calling the obsession with Epstein “unbelievable.” But questions continue to swirl — especially after The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump was told in May he was named in DOJ-held Epstein files.
That same report cited a provocative birthday card allegedly sent by Trump to Epstein, written inside the silhouette of a nude woman and signed, “Donald.” The note reportedly read, “May every day be another wonderful secret,” with Trump supposedly adding they had “certain things in common.” Trump has fiercely denied the card’s existence and is suing the Journal for $20 billion.
Meanwhile, Epstein’s brother, Mark, told NBC News last week that he now believes his brother was murdered in custody — a view widely shared by many in Trump’s political base.
As pressure builds on Congress and the DOJ to release the full contents of the Epstein investigation, the potential testimony from Ghislaine Maxwell could mark a pivotal moment in a scandal that continues to cast a shadow over some of the most powerful names in American public life.
