Mike Johnson against Ghislaine Maxwell pardon, wants life for her as he calls 20-year term 'a pittance'
WASHINGTON, DC: House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday, July 27, that Ghislaine Maxwell should face a life sentence, rejecting the idea of clemency for Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime associate.
Calling her 20-year punishment “a pittance,” Johnson argued that her involvement in what he described as “unspeakable crimes” warrants far harsher consequences.
“I think 20 years was a pittance,” Johnson said during an appearance on NBC’s 'Meet the Press'. “I think she should have a life sentence, at least. I mean, think of all these unspeakable crimes."
Mike Johnson doubts Ghislaine Maxwell's credibility and motives
In his 'Meet the Press' interview, Johnson did not hold back while describing Maxwell’s role in Epstein’s criminal network.
“I mean it's hard to put into words how evil this was and that she orchestrated it and was a big part of it, at least under the criminal sanction, I think is an unforgivable thing,” he said, emphasizing the gravity of her actions. “So again, not my decision, but I have great pause about that as any reasonable person would.”
Federal prosecutors identified more than 1,000 victims, many of them minors, in connection with Epstein’s network, according to Johnson.
To hear Speaker Mike Johnson’s full remarks on Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein, start at timestamp 23:57.
When asked if Maxwell could be trusted to tell the truth if she testifies before Congress, Johnson admitted: “It’s a good question. I hope so. I hope that she would want to come clean. We certainly are interested in knowing everything that she knows.”
“She is convicted. She is serving a 20-year sentence for child sex trafficking, and so her character is in some question,” Johnson continued.
“But if she wants to come clean now, that would be a great service to the country, and we’d like to know every single bit of information that she has.”
Mike Johnson slams Epstein files petition flaws
While reaffirming his support for full transparency, Johnson criticized a bipartisan petition introduced by Reps Thomas Massie (R-WVa) and Ro Khanna (D-Penn) that seeks to release all Epstein-related documents.
He called the proposal “reckless” and argued it lacked necessary legal safeguards, “It would require the DOJ and FBI to release information that they know is false, that is based on lies and rumors and was not even credible enough to be entered into the court proceedings.”
He added, “They cite the wrong provision of the federal code, and so it makes it unworkable.”
“The speaker said the petition also lacked safeguards for minor victims who were subjected to ‘unspeakable crimes, abject evil’ and who risk being ‘unmasked.’”
“I and the House Republicans believe that they should have all this information to be able to determine what they will,” Johnson said. “But we have to protect the innocent. And that's the only safeguard here that we've got to be diligent about, and I'm insistent upon doing so.”
Massie said on 'Meet the Press' that clemency would be “up to the president,” but added, “If she has information that could help us, I think that she should testify.”
“Let’s get that out there, and whatever they need to do to compel that testimony, as long as it’s truthful, I would be in favor of,” he said.
Khanna took a different view: “This is why we need the files. This is why we need independent evidence.” He noted that Maxwell “has been indicted twice for perjury” and said he was concerned about her recent meetings with Deputy AG Todd Blanche.
“I don’t think her sentence should be commuted,” Khanna said.
Trump leaves door open on pardon
On Friday, July 25, while leaving the White House for Scotland, President Donald Trump was asked whether he would consider a pardon or clemency for Maxwell. Trump replied he had the power, but was non-committal on granting a pardon to Maxwell.
Johnson responded to that possibility, saying, “That's a decision of the president. He said he had not adequately considered that. I won't get in front of him. That's not my lane. My lane is to help direct and control the House of Representatives and to use every tool within our arsenal to get to the truth.”
Ghislaine Maxwell grilled on Epstein's associates' list
Last week, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, interviewed Maxwell over two consecutive days at her federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida.
Her attorney said she answered questions about “100 potential Epstein associates” as she angles for clemency.
Maxwell has not confirmed whether she will testify before the House Oversight Committee, which has subpoenaed her. Her legal team said she is still considering whether to cooperate or invoke her Fifth Amendment rights.
