Ghislaine Maxwell invokes Fifth Amendment during Congressional testimony on Epstein case

On Monday, February 9, 2026, Ghislaine Maxwell appeared via video link from a federal prison in Texas to testify before the House Oversight Committee regarding the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, invoked her Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, refusing to answer questions about her crimes or potential co-conspirators. During the 19-minute session, she only confirmed her identity and her understanding of the legal proceedings. Committee Chairman James Comer expressed disappointment, stating that members sought the truth to ensure justice for survivors. Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Marcus, suggested that his client would be willing to speak "honestly and fully" only if granted a presidential pardon by Donald Trump. Democratic Representative Melanie Stansbury criticized this stance, characterizing the appearance as an attempt to campaign for clemency. The committee had previously rejected requests from Maxwell's legal team for criminal immunity in exchange for her testimony.