Ghislaine Maxwell lawyer says 'good chance' of Trump pardon as Oversight Committee leads probe
WASHINGTON, DC: The legal team of Ghislaine Maxwell has suggested that a presidential pardon could be a possibility, drawing renewed attention to her case following the death of her long-term confidant Jeffrey Epstein.
The remarks come amid continued scrutiny and proceedings led by the House Oversight Committee. Recently, Maxwell also appeared virtually for a closed-door deposition from the Texas prison where she is serving a 20-year sentence related to trafficking charges.
Maxwell lawyer floats possibility of executive pardon
Defense lawyer David Oscar Markus told Politico that while he could not quantify the likelihood of clemency, he believes it remains possible. “I don't know what the percentages are,” Markus said. “There's a good chance and for good reason that she would get a pardon.”
Maxwell is currently serving a prison sentence following her 2021 conviction for recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein. She has denied any wrongdoing and is continuing to appeal her conviction. Markus also argued that she has been unfairly targeted in the aftermath of his crimes.
“I think she's a scapegoat,” he said, suggesting that the circumstances surrounding Epstein’s death played a decisive role in her prosecution.
Epstein died in federal custody in August 2019 while awaiting trial on trafficking charges, a death officially ruled a suicide but still subject to public scrutiny and speculation. “She would never have been prosecuted had Jeffrey Epstein not committed suicide, or whatever, however he died,” Markus added.
Federal prosecutors have rejected this claim, maintaining that Maxwell played a central role in facilitating Epstein’s abuse over several years. During the trial, multiple accusers testified that she identified vulnerable girls, gained their trust, and normalized their exploitation.
Legal experts note that presidential pardons in serious federal cases are rare and politically sensitive, typically requiring a formal review process through the Department of Justice’s Office of the Pardon Attorney.
Trump, Oversight Committee and political tensions in Epstein probe
President Donald Trump stated he would support Congress holding public hearings with Epstein’s survivors. “I'm OK with it,” Trump told reporters Thursday, adding, “I think we've had a lot of public hearings.” However, he also claimed that victims were reluctant to testify under oath, saying, “That's what I heard, that the women — the victims or whatever — they refused to go under oath, which was a little surprising.”
Meanwhile, Democrats on the Oversight and Committee have called for First Lady Melania Trump to testify as part of their investigation. This followed her public statement denying allegations of a close relationship with Epstein.
Representative Ro Khanna suggested her testimony could be relevant, particularly if she indicated that Epstein “was not acting alone.”
On the other side, Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer criticized Democrats, claiming their focus is politically motivated. Comer said Democrats are intent on linking the Trump name to the case rather than uncovering facts. “The Democrats have one focus… and that's Trump — any Trump,” he said.
Comer emphasized that Republicans are prioritizing truth, accountability, and justice for victims. He also accused Democrats of losing sight of those victims, stating their reactions shift whenever Trump’s name is mentioned, detracting from the investigation’s core purpose.
