Ranking Member Robert Garcia Demands Immediate Testimony from Ghislaine Maxwell to Oversight Committee
Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, wrote to Chairman James Comer seeking to immediately schedule a date for Ghislaine Maxwell to testify in front of the Oversight Committee, after the Supreme Court formally denied her latest attempt to evade responsibility for her crimes. House Republicans had previously agreed to let Maxwell delay until after her Supreme Court case was decided. Earlier this year, after pressure from Oversight Democrats, Maxwell was subpoenaed to testify in front of the Oversight Committee on her involvement with Jeffrey Epstein’s international sex trafficking operation. She must answer questions under oath about the relationship between Epstein and Donald Trump. Maxwell was recently transferred to a lower-security prison after meeting with Deputy Attorney General and former Trump personal attorney Todd Blanche.
"For months, the Trump Administration has tried to let Ghislaine Maxwell off the hook for her crimes, but she must comply with our subpoena and immediately testify in front of the Oversight Committee,” said Ranking Member Robert Garcia. “Just this week, Donald Trump said he would ‘take a look’ at a pardon for Maxwell, which is disgusting and shameful. The Supreme Court was right to reject her latest attempt to avoid accountability, and now, she must face us for questioning. She must answer questions about her shady dealings with Deputy Attorney General and former Trump personal attorney Todd Blanche and what she knows about Donald Trump’s involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. If she lies, she must face the consequences. Oversight Democrats are fighting every day to reveal the truth to the American people.”
In the letter to Chairman Comer, Ranking Member Robert Garcia wrote, “Maxwell’s crimes and her central role in Epstein’s sex trafficking operation position her as a critical witness with knowledge relevant and fundamental to this Committee’s investigation. Indeed, in correspondence with Maxwell’s attorneys, you stated that her testimony “is vital to the Committee’s efforts regarding Mr. Jeffrey Epstein,” and noted that “it is imperative that Congress conduct oversight of the federal government’s enforcement of sex trafficking laws generally and specifically its handling of the investigation and prosecution of [Maxwell] and Mr. Epstein.” On October 7, when asked by CNN’s Jake Tapper about President Trump’s recent statement regarding a potential pardon of Maxwell, you said clearly that based on “conversations that I’ve had with some of the victims of Epstein and Maxwell, that I can say with confidence, I would strongly discourage any type of pardon or commutation of Maxwell.” I unequivocally agree, and I hope that you will stand by your statements and uphold the Committee’s commitment to transparency and to the victims of Epstein’s horrific abuse. Further, the Committee must be vigilant to ensure that Maxwell's testimony is truthful, factual, and complete, and that she is held accountable for any misrepresentations made to the Committee.”
In September, Ranking Member Garcia led every Oversight Democrat in demanding answers from Department of Justice Acting Inspector General William Blier after Ghislaine Maxwell was transferred from a correctional institution in Tallahassee, Florida, to a less restrictive federal prison camp in Bryan, Texas shortly after meeting with Deputy Attorney General, and former Trump personal attorney, Todd Blanche. Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and advocates have raised concerns that the justice system is “failing victims right before our eyes.” In August, Ranking Member Garcia also demanded answers from the Bureau of Prisons on the decision to move Maxwell.
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