In a significant step toward accountability and transparency, the Trump administration has reached out to Ghislaine Maxwell to assess her willingness to cooperate with prosecutors
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed Tuesday that, under the direction of Attorney General Pam Bondi, the DOJ is now open to hearing what Maxwell might have to offer regarding uncharged individuals who may have participated in Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal enterprise.
“This Department of Justice does not shy away from uncomfortable truths, nor from the responsibility to pursue justice wherever the facts may lead,” Blanche said in a post on X Tuesday.
Blanche reaffirmed the July 6 joint statement issued by the DOJ and FBI, concluding there was no evidence suggesting the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender kept a “client list” to blackmail high-profile individuals. The memo also found no evidence to suggest foul play in Epstein’s death, which had previously been ruled a suicide. (RELATED: Pam Bondi Fires Maurene Comey, Ghislaine Maxwell Prosecutor)
“Namely, that in the recent thorough review of the files maintained by the FBI in the Epstein case, no evidence was uncovered that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties,” Blanche wrote.
President Trump on Tuesday said he was not aware of the Justice Department’s outreach to Ghislaine Maxwell, but he suggested he supported it.
“I don’t know about it, but I think it would be something that sounds appropriate to do it,” Trump said when asked about an announcement from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche that he had contacted Maxwell’s lawyers about an interview.
Trump also brushed off a question about whether he was concerned that Blanche, his former personal attorney, would be the one speaking with Maxwell given Trump’s connection to Epstein.
“He’s a very talented person. He’s very smart,” Trump said of Blanche. “I didn’t know they were going to do it. I don’t really follow that too much. It’s sort of a witch hunt.”
FBI Deputy Dan Bongino, who also signed off on the memo, reportedly complained about it in private following public backlash and even considered handing in his resignation.
The new outreach to Maxwell is in the hopes that Epstein’s convicted accomplice “has information about anyone who has committed crime against victims,” Blanche said.
“President Trump has told us to release all credible evidence…” he wrote. “Therefore, at the direction of Attorney General Bondi, I have communicated with counsel for Ms. Maxwell to determine whether she would be willing to speak with prosecutors from the Department.”
The new outreach to Maxwell marks the first time, according to Blanche, that any administration has approached her legal team with an inquiry into potential cooperation.
Blanche said that he “anticipates meeting with Ms. Maxwell in the coming days.”
David Oscar Markus, Maxwell’s attorney, confirmed to Fox News that they are “in discussions with the government and that Ghislaine will always testify truthfully.”
Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of helping Jeffrey Epstein traffic teen girls. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison and has appealed her case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
A House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee voted Tuesday to subpoena Maxwell as the Republicans on Capitol Hill push for the publication of more information related to Epstein’s case.
During an unrelated subcommittee hearing, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) moved to direct the panel to authorize and issue a subpoena for Maxwell to appear for a deposition, which passed by voice vote, according to The Hill.
“Recently, Rep. Burchett sent a letter to Chairman Comer requesting a subpoena for Ghislaine Maxwell’s testimony. In response, Chairman Comer directed Rep. Burchett to introduce a motion to subpoena Ms. Maxwell for a deposition, allowing the Committee to formally consider whether to proceed,” a spokesperson for the committee said in a statement.
“The Committee will seek to subpoena Ms. Maxwell as expeditiously as possible. Since Ms. Maxwell is in federal prison, the Committee will work with the Department of Justice and Bureau of Prisons to identify a date when Committee can depose her.”
