Convicted of sex trafficking as a teenager, Ghislaine Maxwell is poised to testify before a US congressional committee in the upcoming month. Despite currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for her involvement in sex trafficking, Maxwell, a former British socialite and associate of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, is anticipated to exercise her right to remain silent during her virtual appearance before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on February 9.
Chairman James Comer confirmed that Maxwell’s legal team has signaled her intention to invoke the Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination. Expressing the need for Maxwell’s testimony, Comer stated, “We have been striving to secure her deposition.”
This decision arose following mounting pressure from Democrats to pursue contempt of Congress charges against Maxwell, the former partner of billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and US Attorney General Pam Bondi, due to delays in releasing Epstein-related documents.
Despite Maxwell’s daughter affirming compliance with the subpoena, her attorney disclosed plans for her to maintain silence during the testimony. The lawyer emphasized that proceeding under these circumstances would be purely theatrical and a misuse of taxpayer funds, providing no new information to the committee.
Although she could potentially alter her stance, Maxwell was originally served with a subpoena in July 2025 for an appearance the following month, yet the committee declined to grant her immunity in exchange for testimony.
During a recent meeting, Comer announced the scheduled deposition and the committee’s decision to advance contempt of Congress resolutions against former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who both refused to comply with subpoenas related to their connections with Epstein.
The Clintons contested the subpoenas, arguing they lack a legislative purpose. They have submitted written statements and engaged in negotiations with Comer behind the scenes.
Representative Robert Garcia, the ranking Democratic committee member, accused the US Department of Justice of favoritism towards Maxwell, asserting that she had been given special treatment.
The Oversight Committee’s scrutiny extends to Epstein’s network and the government’s management of case-related records, amid criticisms of the Justice Department for withholding a significant portion of the mandated documents.
Maxwell’s appeal to the US Supreme Court in October was declined, and Representative Garcia condemned the Department of Justice for allegedly granting Maxwell preferential treatment in failing to comply with the subpoena.