Ghislaine Maxwell’s Lawyer: She May Decline Congressional Testimony/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Ghislaine Maxwell is undecided on testifying before Congress next month as part of the ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s network. Her lawyer says she hasn’t ruled out asserting the Fifth Amendment, with no immunity deal currently in place. Lawmakers and the DOJ remain divided over her credibility and legal implications.
Maxwell’s Testimony Decision + Quick Looks
- Maxwell is undecided on appearing before the House Oversight Committee
- Attorney David Oscar Markus says no decision yet on August 11 testimony
- Maxwell recently completed a two-day DOJ interview with 100+ names discussed
- She is still appealing her sex trafficking conviction and 20-year sentence
- No pardon discussions yet, but her legal team remains hopeful
- She may invoke the Fifth Amendment to avoid self-incrimination
- DOJ has not offered immunity for her congressional testimony
- House Speaker Mike Johnson questions whether Maxwell can be trusted
Deep Look
Ghislaine Maxwell May Decline Congressional Testimony Amid Legal, Political Stakes
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted sex trafficker and longtime associate of the late Jeffrey Epstein, has yet to decide whether she’ll testify before Congress next month under subpoena.
Her attorney, David Oscar Markus, told reporters on Friday that no final decision has been made regarding Maxwell’s potential testimony to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, currently scheduled for the week of August 11.
“We have to make a decision about whether she will do that or not,” Markus said, following Maxwell’s two-day interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, conducted inside a federal courthouse in Tallahassee.
Legal Loopholes and the Fifth Amendment
The uncertainty stems largely from Maxwell’s ongoing appeal of her conviction for sex trafficking and conspiracy, which resulted in a 20-year prison sentence. Should she choose to testify before lawmakers, she could potentially invoke her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination — a legal shield that Congress has limited power to overcome.
Congress could offer immunity in exchange for testimony, but such moves are rare and typically fraught with political and legal complexities. As of now, there’s no indication that the Justice Department has extended any immunity offer to Maxwell in exchange for cooperation.
Nonetheless, Markus emphasized that Maxwell had already participated fully in the DOJ inquiry this week, reportedly providing names and information on approximately 100 individuals. “She didn’t hold back,” Markus said.
Congressional Questions and Doubts
While GOP leaders have pointed to Maxwell’s DOJ interview as a promising step, skepticism remains regarding the reliability of any testimony she might provide before Congress.
House Speaker Mike Johnson voiced his doubts openly this week:
“Could she be counted on to tell the truth? Is she a credible witness?” Johnson asked. “This is someone who’s been sentenced to many, many years in prison for terrible, unspeakable acts… Can we trust what she’s going to say? I don’t know, but we’ll have to see.”
A spokesperson for House Oversight Republicans declined to comment further on the matter Friday afternoon.
No Pardon Talks—Yet
Despite recent speculation, Maxwell’s legal team confirmed there have been no discussions with the Trump administration about a possible presidential pardon — at least not yet.
“We hope [President Donald Trump] exercises that power in the right and just way,” Markus stated, leaving the door open to future negotiations.
The lack of a pardon or immunity deal leaves Maxwell navigating a tight legal path, especially as she seeks to avoid complicating her appeal while remaining central to one of the most scrutinized criminal networks in recent memory.
The Political Calculus for Congress
The House Oversight Committee, which has been preparing to send attorneys to Maxwell’s prison to take her testimony, faces an uphill battle. If Maxwell refuses or invokes her rights, lawmakers may be left empty-handed — again fueling frustration among constituents demanding transparency about Epstein’s associates and alleged enablers.
Still, Maxwell remains a figure of interest not just for her past crimes, but also for the potential intel she may hold on Epstein’s powerful network. The Justice Department’s decision to engage with her signals continued interest, yet also raises new questions about what leverage—if any—lawmakers and prosecutors still have.
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