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Maxwell agrees to sworn testimony amid immunity dispute
Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, will testify under oath before a congressional committee on 9 February, chairman James Comer announced. The virtual deposition marks a shift after months of resistance from Maxwell's legal team, who had insisted on legal immunity as a condition for cooperation.
Legal standoff over Fifth Amendment rights
Maxwell's attorneys had previously stated she would invoke her constitutional right to remain silent unless granted immunity, citing concerns over "further criminal exposure in a politically charged environment." Comer confirmed the committee had rejected immunity requests in July, later issuing a subpoena in August to compel her testimony.
In a Tuesday letter, Maxwell's lawyers called the committee's demands "non-starters," arguing that testifying from prison without immunity posed "real security risks" and would amount to "pure political theater." They warned the hearing would yield "no testimony, no answers, and no new facts."
Committee presses forward despite obstacles
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, led by Republicans, is investigating the federal government's handling of Epstein-related files. While lawmakers cannot compel Maxwell to waive her Fifth Amendment protections, Comer framed the deposition as a critical step in uncovering potential mishandling of the case.
The probe has intensified scrutiny of the Trump administration's role, though the White House has denied considering clemency for Maxwell. Her 20-year sentence for trafficking minors for Epstein remains under appeal, with the Supreme Court declining to review her case last October.
Broader fallout: DOJ files and Clinton subpoenas
The Department of Justice missed a 19 December deadline to release all remaining Epstein files, drawing bipartisan criticism over extensive redactions. Lawmakers argue the withholdings exceed legal protections for victims and ongoing investigations.
Separately, the Oversight Committee voted to hold former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton in contempt for refusing to comply with subpoenas related to their ties to Epstein. While Bill Clinton has denied wrongdoing, the committee's move-backed by some Democrats-could escalate to a Justice Department referral if approved by the full House.
What's next
Maxwell's testimony on 9 February will proceed without immunity, though her legal team's warnings suggest she may still invoke the Fifth Amendment. The committee's broader investigation continues amid mounting pressure to disclose unredacted Epstein documents and clarify the Clintons' interactions with him.
