Officials from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) are preparing to interview Ghislaine Maxwell in Florida, raising further scrutiny on the handling of Jeffrey Epstein’s files by the administration of President Donald Trump.
Ghislaine Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking minors linked to Epstein, was scheduled for questioning at a federal courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida.
Maxwell was convicted in 2021, after Epstein’s death in jail in 2019. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who is also Trump’s former personal lawyer, will conduct the interview, sources indicate.
In a recent social media post, Blanche stated that Trump has instructed officials to release all credible evidence regarding any criminal activities, emphasizing that the DOJ and the FBI will take any information from Maxwell seriously, especially if it pertains to crimes against victims.
A DOJ spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comments regarding the interview on Thursday.
An anonymous source confirmed the interview arrangement, highlighting its closed-door nature.
Maxwell, the daughter of the late British media mogul Robert Maxwell, has gained notoriety for being the only former associate of Epstein convicted in relation to his criminal activities, which have led to speculation about potential trafficking of young models for powerful individuals.
Joyce Vance, a former federal prosecutor, expressed skepticism about the reliability of any new testimony Maxwell may offer unless substantiated by evidence.
She also noted the potential for a political maneuver, suggesting that “Trump could give Ghislaine Maxwell a pardon on his last day in office, in exchange for favorable testimony now. She knows he’s her only chance for release.”
The scheduled meeting with Maxwell marks the Trump administration’s efforts to address rising concerns from his supporters regarding allegations of a cover-up about Epstein’s sex crimes.
Earlier in July, both the DOJ and the FBI stated in a memo that a review of the Epstein case revealed no new evidence, including the much-discussed ‘client list’.
This announcement caused a significant uproar among Trump’s supporters, who recalled a previous statement made by US Attorney General Pam Bondi, wherein she mentioned having a client list “sitting on my desk right now.”
Conspiracy theories among Trump’s base have long accused elites in government of involvement in sex trafficking and have raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Epstein’s death, speculating it could have been part of an orchestrated cover-up.
In response to the ongoing public interest in the case, the House Oversight Committee has recently subpoenaed Maxwell to appear before Congress next month.
The committee’s Republican chair, US Representative James Comer, emphasized the necessity for congressional oversight regarding the DOJ’s management of sex trafficking laws and its handling of investigations involving both Maxwell and Epstein.
Simultaneously, a bipartisan push in Congress is demanding the release of all Epstein-related files, reflecting a growing urgency for transparency.
Democrats have been vocal in their call for disclosure, with a Republican-led panel advancing a Democrat-led subcommittee subpoena to pressure the DOJ for the release of these files.
In a discussion with political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen, US Representative Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat, indicated that she would rather Congress handle Maxwell’s testimony than the DOJ, citing concerns about the potential for sanitization of information, threats, or the prospect of a pardon related to her statements.
Overall, the unfolding events surrounding Ghislaine Maxwell’s interview highlight the continued legal and political ramifications of the Epstein case, presenting challenges and questions for the current administration.
image source from：aljazeera
