Ghislaine Maxwell Scheduled for Congressional Appearance in Epstein Case
Ghislaine Maxwell, the British former socialite convicted for her role in Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking network, is set to appear before a US congressional committee in February 2026. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has scheduled a virtual deposition for 9 February, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation into Epstein's activities and the government's handling of related documents.
Fifth Amendment Invocation Expected
Committee chairman James Comer has revealed that Maxwell's legal team has indicated she intends to "plead the Fifth," invoking her constitutional right against self-incrimination under the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution. Comer expressed hope that she might reconsider this position, stating, "I hope she changes her mind, because I want to hear from her." This comes after Maxwell was originally served with a subpoena in July 2025, but the committee has declined to grant her immunity in exchange for testimony.
Contempt Resolutions Against Clintons
During the same meeting where Maxwell's deposition was announced, the committee voted to advance contempt of Congress resolutions against former president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton. Both Clintons declined to comply with subpoenas requiring them to testify about their relationships with Epstein, arguing that such testimony serves no legislative purpose. They have submitted written statements and engaged in behind-the-scenes negotiations with Comer.
A spokesman for the Clintons, Angel Urena, stated on social media that they had attempted to assist the investigation but emphasised that "both Clintons have been out of office for over a decade" and "neither had anything to do with him for more than 20 years." While Bill Clinton's friendship with Epstein during the 1990s and early 2000s is well-documented, he has never been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with the financier.
Investigation into Epstein Network and Document Release
The Oversight Committee's probe focuses on Epstein's extensive network and the government's management of records associated with the case. The US Justice Department has faced mounting criticism for its failure to publicly release all Epstein-related documents. Under US law, such documents should only be withheld to protect victims' identities or active criminal investigations, yet only a small proportion have been made available to the public.
Thousands of documents were published, many with redactions, following legislation signed by former president Donald Trump under pressure from Republicans, mandating the release of files held on Epstein. However, Democrats on the committee, including ranking member Robert Garcia, have accused the Department of Justice of providing "special treatment" to Maxwell, alleging a continued cover-up in the case.
Maxwell's Legal Status and Appeals
Maxwell, aged 64, is currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for sex trafficking and recruiting girls for abuse by Epstein. In October 2025, she appealed her conviction to the US Supreme Court, but the court refused to hear her case, leaving her sentence intact. Her upcoming congressional appearance adds another layer to the legal and political scrutiny surrounding the Epstein scandal, which has drawn international attention for years.
