Ghislaine Maxwell expected to plead the Fifth in congressional deposition

WASHINGTON, DC: Ghislaine Maxwell is set to make her first-ever congressional appearance on Monday, February 9, 2026, although her legal team has notified the House Oversight Committee that she will not offer substantive testimony. Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence in a Florida federal prison for trafficking, will appear virtually before the committee to address her role in the Jeffrey Epstein criminal enterprise.

In a letter sent to Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.), Maxwell’s attorneys said she plans to invoke her Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination in response to all substantive questions. The decision was described as a "legal necessity" rather than a "tactical choice," with the defense citing Maxwell's ongoing efforts to overturn her federal convictions.

Ro Khanna demands answers on Trump ties

Ahead of the scheduled appearance, Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) released a detailed letter to Chairman Comer outlining seven critical categories of questions for Maxwell. Khanna’s inquiry specifically targets the "well-documented" social relationship between Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein, and President Donald Trump.

The letter asks Maxwell to clarify if she or Epstein ever "arranged, facilitated, or provided access to underage girls" for the President. Khanna also requested confirmation on whether Maxwell or anyone on her behalf has held discussions with the President's representatives regarding a potential pardon or reduced sentence in exchange for her silence.

The California lawmaker’s push for transparency comes as the Justice Department begins granting Congress access to unredacted versions of the infamous "Epstein Files".

Attorneys label deposition ‘political theater’

Maxwell’s legal representatives have been vocal in their opposition to the proceedings, describing the scheduled deposition as "pure political theater" that would be a "waste of taxpayer monies".

They argued that the committee will obtain no new facts while a habeas petition to vacate her conviction is still pending in New York courts.

However, the attorneys signaled a potential shift if the administration were to intervene. In the letter to the committee, they stated that if Maxwell were granted clemency, she would be "willing—and eager—to testify openly and honestly, in public, before Congress".

Chairman Comer has rejected calls for immunity or clemency, insisting that Maxwell’s testimony is "vital" to understanding the 2007 non-prosecution agreement and the circumstances surrounding Epstein’s 2019 death.

Probing the mystery of co-conspirators

Beyond the White House connections, Khanna is pressing Maxwell on her December 2025 habeas corpus petition, which claimed that "four named co-conspirators" and 25 men who entered secret settlements were never indicted.

In his letter, Khanna demands that Maxwell identify these individuals and explain why she believes they were protected from prosecution by federal authorities. The inquiry also seeks information on whether Epstein acted on behalf of foreign governments or intelligence services, specifically referencing potential ties to Russia and Israel.

Although Maxwell is expected to refuse to answer these questions on Monday, the House Oversight Committee is proceeding with subpoenas targeting other high-profile associates, including billionaire Les Wexner and members of the Clinton family.