Maxwell’s attorney asks for clemency from Trump during deposition

The U.S. House Oversight Committee released a video of Ghislain Maxwell’s deposition on February 12, 2025, which features her attorney explicitly requesting executive clemency from President Donald Trump in exchange for Maxwell’s full and honest testimony regarding her criminal involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. During the recorded proceedings in Washington, Maxwell consistently invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, refusing to answer a wide array of questions from committee members. The legal team’s proposal suggests that the convicted sex trafficker is willing to break her silence on sensitive matters if she is granted a presidential pardon or a commuted sentence, a move intended to navigate her current 20-year prison term. The released footage highlights a tense legal standoff where Maxwell, once a central figure in Epstein’s inner circle, appears to use her potential testimony as a bargaining chip. Her attorney, Arthur Aidala, argued that Maxwell possesses significant information but can only disclose it under the protection of executive action. This public overture comes as the House Oversight Committee continues its investigation into the systemic failures that allowed Epstein to operate his sex trafficking ring for decades and the circumstances surrounding his 2019 death in federal custody. Legal experts note that the request for clemency is a highly unconventional move during a congressional deposition, particularly given Maxwell's prior refusal to cooperate with federal investigators. The deposition covered various aspects of her relationship with Epstein and the high-profile individuals who frequented his private island and various residences. While Maxwell herself remained largely silent on camera, the strategic offering from her legal counsel places the decision-making burden on the White House, raising questions about the political and legal implications of such a deal for the current administration.