Victims of Jeffrey Epstein have reacted with intense fury over Ghislaine Maxwell's declared intention to remain silent when she appears before the United States Congress. The convicted sex trafficker's plan to invoke her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination has sparked condemnation from those she helped abuse, with one attorney so outraged he demanded she should never be released from her twenty-year prison sentence.
Maxwell's Silence Seen as Protection for Powerful Allies
One victim, who was abused by Epstein after being groomed by Maxwell, believes the British socialite is staying quiet specifically to protect former President Donald Trump. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, the victim, now a mother of two, stated: "Ghislaine knows exactly what she did and who she protected. Every time she hides behind silence, she's choosing powerful men over the children she helped abuse. Pleading the Fifth isn't about justice; it's about saving herself and letting the truth rot in the dark."
The victim continued with a pointed accusation: "And let's be honest, when she appears before Congress, she is playing to an audience of one - Donald Trump. She knows so much about his and Jeffrey's friendship, but she will not say a word. She has not given up hope that her old buddy will set her free with a pardon."
Legal Condemnation and Calls for Lifetime Imprisonment
Attorney Spencer Kuvin, who represents several Epstein victims, joined in condemning Maxwell's vow of silence. He argued: "It is not surprising that Maxwell is willing to speak with the President's attorney so that she can obtain favourable treatment, while at the same time refusing to speak to the Committee. Maxwell has shown time and again that she is a liar. This is an evil person who has injured countless children."
Kuvin made a stark recommendation regarding Maxwell's future: "She should remain behind bars for the rest of her life, and the Committee should focus on calling in victims to talk about who was involved in this broad sexual conspiracy. Victims are the true witnesses to this conduct and the ones who can expose the lies of people like Maxwell."
Congressional Proceedings and Political Controversy
Maxwell is scheduled to appear virtually before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on February 9th. However, her legal team has clearly indicated she intends to plead the Fifth and refuse to answer questions. Committee Chairman James Comer confirmed this position, stating: "I agree we need to hear from Ghislaine Maxwell. We've been trying to get her in for a deposition. Her lawyers have been saying that she's going to plead the Fifth, but we have nailed down a date."
Comer expressed hope that Maxwell might reconsider: "I hope she changes her mind, because I want to hear from her." The issue has emerged amid growing pressure from Democratic lawmakers to pursue contempt-of-Congress proceedings against Maxwell and others over delays in releasing Epstein-related documents.
Special Treatment Allegations and Document Delays
Representative Robert Garcia, the committee's ranking Democrat, has accused the Justice Department of affording Maxwell special treatment. He asserted: "For months, Ghislaine Maxwell has defied the subpoena ordering her to testify to the Oversight Committee. After pressure from Oversight Democrats, Chairman Comer has finally decided to call her in to testify. But let's be clear: the cover-up is continuing. She has gotten special treatment from the DOJ for months."
The controversy extends to document releases. Although Trump's Justice Department was forced by law to release government-held documents on Epstein last month, over a million documents reportedly remain outstanding. This has fuelled accusations of a cover-up and preferential treatment for high-profile figures connected to the case.
Maxwell's Prison Transfer and Pardon Speculation
Notably, Maxwell was transferred from a tough Tallahassee jail cell to what has been described as America's softest female prison in Texas in late July. This move occurred just one week after she spoke favourably about Trump to Deputy US Attorney General Todd Blanche and his former lawyer during a prison visit. Many observers believe this transfer was authorised at "the highest level" following her cooperative discussions about Trump's friendship with Epstein.
Maxwell's legal team has been actively seeking a presidential pardon, according to sources familiar with the matter. The sixty-four-year-old continues to deny wrongdoing and is attempting to overturn her conviction, despite having an appeal to the Supreme Court rejected last year.
Broader Congressional Investigation Context
The Oversight Committee's examination extends beyond Maxwell to Epstein's entire network of associates and the government's handling of related records. During the same meeting where Maxwell's deposition was confirmed, the committee voted to advance contempt of Congress resolutions against former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for declining to comply with subpoenas about their past associations with Epstein.
Angel Urena, a spokesman for the Clintons, responded that "both Clintons have been out of office for over a decade. Neither had anything to do with him for more than 20 years," and claimed they had attempted to assist the investigation.
Maxwell's legal team has dismissed the congressional proceedings as "pure political theatre and a complete waste of taxpayer monies," arguing that the committee would obtain "no testimony, no answers, and no new facts." Legal experts note that Maxwell could still change her position or refuse to appear altogether, further complicating the committee's efforts to uncover the full truth about Epstein's extensive abuse network.
