By Trendsetter Tribune 
On Monday, February 9, 2026, Ghislaine Maxwell appeared virtually before the House Oversight Committee from her federal prison camp in Texas, only to repeatedly invoke her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. The 64-year-old, serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, refused to answer questions regarding Jeffrey Epstein’s network, citing a pending legal petition to overturn her conviction.+1
The Clemency Ultimatum
The most provocative moment of the closed-door session came when Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, delivered a statement explicitly linking her future testimony to a presidential pardon or commutation.
- The Offer: Markus stated that Maxwell is “prepared to speak fully and honestly” if granted clemency by President Trump.
- The Incentive: He claimed Maxwell holds the “unfiltered truth” that would prove both President Trump and former President Bill Clinton are “innocent of any wrongdoing” regarding Epstein’s crimes.
- The Tactic: Lawmakers from both sides viewed the move as a blatant “bargaining tactic,” with Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) calling it a “campaign for a pardon” by a defendant who remains “robotic” and “unrepentant.”
Controversy Over “Special Treatment”
Maxwell’s refusal to testify before Congress stands in sharp contrast to her behavior last summer.
| Date | Event | Outcome |
| July 2025 | Interview with Deputy AG Todd Blanche | Maxwell answered questions for two days without invoking the Fifth Amendment. |
| August 2025 | Prison Transfer | Moved from low-security in Florida to a minimum-security camp in Bryan, Texas. |
| Feb 9, 2026 | House Oversight Deposition | Invoked the Fifth Amendment on all substantive questions. |
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) suggested that Maxwell is receiving “special treatment” from the administration—including reports of “custom meals” and “unprecedented access” at her new facility—following her cooperative interview with Blanche, who formerly served as Trump’s personal attorney.
What’s Next for the Epstein Probe?
Chairman James Comer (R-KY) expressed “deep disappointment” but emphasized that the committee’s investigation will move forward with a focus on Epstein’s inner circle and the government’s past mishandling of the case.
- Upcoming Witnesses: Subpoenas remain active for Les Wexner (Limited Brands founder), Richard Kahn (accountant), and Darren Indyke (Epstein’s longtime lawyer).
- The Clintons: After months of legal stalling, Bill and Hillary Clinton are expected to sit for their own depositions later this month.
- The “Epstein Files”: This deposition coincided with the first day legislators were allowed to view unredacted portions of the 3.5 million pages of evidence released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.