Ghislaine Maxwell interviewed again as Epstein file fight escalates
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is set to resume his interview with Ghislaine Maxwell on Friday, July 25, following a daylong meeting the day before at the U.S. attorney’s office in Tallahassee, Florida. Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking operation, “answered every question” by Blanche, according to her attorney, David Oscar Markus.
Blanche said the Justice Department would disclose more about the meetings “at the appropriate time.”
What prompted renewed focus on Maxwell and Epstein?
Blanche said on Tuesday, July 22, that the department was seeking information that Maxwell may have on others who committed crimes against Epstein’s victims. His meetings follow growing public and congressional calls to release files related to Epstein’s case. President Donald Trump has faced increased pressure from supporters and lawmakers to deliver on past promises of transparency.
Trump and Epstein were once friends, although Trump has stated that they had a falling out in the early 2000s.
What action has Congress taken on Epstein files?
The House Oversight subcommittee voted Wednesday, July 23, to subpoena the Justice Department for Epstein-related materials, including redacted victim names, DOJ communications with former Biden officials, and testimony from figures including Bill and Hillary Clinton and James Comey.
Republicans on the House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Maxwell to testify remotely from prison on Aug. 11.
According to Newsweek, Maxwell’s attorney said she would testify truthfully before the committee if she chose not to invoke her constitutional right to remain silent — a right she has consistently cited.
Have courts released any Epstein documents?
Judges have denied requests to unseal grand jury testimony related to Epstein. Maxwell’s attorneys also sought access to those materials but were told they must first state their position on unsealing without reviewing the documents.
A judge indicated that he might release a limited excerpt later if he believes it would benefit Maxwell’s legal team, according to CNN.
How are lawmakers reacting to the DOJ’s handling?
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., a Democrat running for Senate, stated to CNN that constituents are demanding the release of files to the public. He said both Democrats and Republicans agree on full transparency and that delays are frustrating voters.
“But overwhelmingly, people say, just disclose the files,” Krishnamoorthi said. “What’s in the files? Disclose them. Show us, you know, full transparency as to this issue.
In an interview with MSNBC, Krishnamoorthi raised concerns about Blanche’s meeting with Maxwell, questioning his intentions and warning of possible coercion.
“We’re very concerned about the interview that’s happening today with Todd Blanche,” he said. “Like, exactly what is he doing there, talking to her? What I’m concerned about is whether any types of threats or inducements might be made to her.”
Krishnamoorthi also criticized Attorney General Pam Bondi’s role in deciding what gets released, calling for Congress to hold hearings if disclosure is resisted.
Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., questioned the integrity of Maxwell’s meeting, suggesting it was a bid for clemency.
“She probably wants a pardon from Donald Trump, and so her meeting with Trump’s Department of Justice cannot be trusted, and anything she says must be corroborated with documents and records from the actual Epstein files,” Garcia said.
What has Trump said about the investigation?
Trump has called the renewed interest in Epstein a political attack by Democrats. In a post on Truth Social, he described it as a “Democrat CON JOB” and said grand jury records could disprove what he called a “hoax.”
He added that innocent people should not be harmed by the release of records.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
