Convicted Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell refused to answer questions before Congress, while her lawyer said she could clear President Donald Trump of wrongdoing if granted clemency.
Maxwell appeared via video link from a federal prison camp in Texas, where she is serving a 20-year sentence for sex-trafficking offences connected to Epstein’s exploitation of underage girls. Lawmakers sought to question her as part of a broader effort to determine how Epstein was able to abuse victims for years and whether institutional failures allowed his activities to continue.
Committee members said Maxwell had signalled in advance that she would not provide substantive testimony. During the session she invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, declining to respond to questions that could be used against her in future legal proceedings. The deposition ended shortly after it began.
Ahead of the hearing, Maxwell’s attorney indicated she would be willing to “speak fully and honestly” if granted clemency, suggesting she could offer information clearing Trump’s name. Several lawmakers rejected the prospect of leniency, saying her refusal to cooperate left investigators without new evidence.
The deposition coincided with the U.S. Justice Department’s decision to allow members of Congress to review large volumes of previously restricted material related to the Epstein investigation. Lawmakers have been granted access to millions of documents under strict conditions, including limits on copying or sharing the files.
Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein and was sentenced the following year to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors said she played a central role in facilitating contact between Epstein and his victims across multiple properties.
Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges, intensifying scrutiny of his network of associates and the handling of earlier investigations.
Despite Maxwell’s refusal to provide detailed testimony, congressional investigators said their review of documents and past evidence will continue as part of efforts to establish how authorities responded to allegations over several decades. Maxwell has previously maintained her innocence while pursuing appeals of her conviction.
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President Donald Trump said Iran is keen to reach a deal with the United States, claiming Washington had paused engagement to allow funeral ceremonies for late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to use next week's NATO summit in Ankara to advance his push for greater European responsibility in security, with a bilateral meeting planned with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as Paris seeks closer coordination with key allies.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 4 July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated U.S. President Donald Trump on the 250th anniversary of American independence, saying Russia and the United States share a special responsibility for maintaining global security as the world's two largest nuclear powers.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has raised its forecast for the rapid emergence of a strong El Niño, warning the climate pattern is likely to drive higher global temperatures and intensify extreme weather in the months ahead.
India is investigating a data breach at Tata Electronics that exposed sensitive documents linked to Apple's unreleased iPhone 18 Pro, marking the government's first public comments on the incident.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
International politicians and religious leaders have paid respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei throughout the day, ahead of his six day funeral ceremony which begins on Saturday. His casket is currently on display at the Iman Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran.
Germany has requested urgent talks with China's ambassador following reports that Chinese authorities trained Russian soldiers, adding fresh strain to relations between Beijing and Europe amid the war in Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to use next week's NATO summit in Ankara to advance his push for greater European responsibility in security, with a bilateral meeting planned with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as Paris seeks closer coordination with key allies.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated U.S. President Donald Trump on the 250th anniversary of American independence, saying Russia and the United States share a special responsibility for maintaining global security as the world's two largest nuclear powers.
China said on Saturday it had launched a coast guard patrol east of Taiwan, prompting a strong protest from Taipei, which accused Beijing of illegally expanding its authority and undermining regional stability.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 4 July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Russian attacks killed at least six people across three Ukrainian regions on Friday, regional officials said, as Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure continued to add pressure to fuel supplies inside Russia.
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