By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-ghislaine-maxwell-not-cooperating-because-she-is-campaigning-for-trump-pardon-democrats-say Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Ghislaine Maxwell not cooperating because she is campaigning for Trump pardon, Democrats say Politics Updated on Feb 10, 2026 8:48 AM EST — Published on Feb 9, 2026 12:32 PM EST An attorney for Ghislaine Maxwell told lawmakers Monday that she would be willing to testify that neither President Donald Trump nor former President Bill Clinton were culpable for wrongdoing in their relationships with Epstein, according to both Democratic and Republican lawmakers who exited a closed-door deposition with Maxwell. Watch the clip in the video player above. Democrats argued that Maxwell's assertion was an appeal to Trump to end her prison sentence. "It's very clear she's campaigning for clemency," said Rep. Melanie Stansbury, a New Mexico Democrat. WATCH: Ghislaine Maxwell refused to answer questions about Epstein in House deposition, Comer says Maxwell has been seeking to have her conviction overturned, arguing that she was wrongfully convicted. The Supreme Court rejected her appeal but she has asked a federal judge in New York to consider what her attorneys describe as "substantial new evidence" that her trial was spoiled by constitutional violations. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. The Republican chair of the committee, Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, said it was "very disappointing" that Maxwell declined to participate in the deposition. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
An attorney for Ghislaine Maxwell told lawmakers Monday that she would be willing to testify that neither President Donald Trump nor former President Bill Clinton were culpable for wrongdoing in their relationships with Epstein, according to both Democratic and Republican lawmakers who exited a closed-door deposition with Maxwell. Watch the clip in the video player above. Democrats argued that Maxwell's assertion was an appeal to Trump to end her prison sentence. "It's very clear she's campaigning for clemency," said Rep. Melanie Stansbury, a New Mexico Democrat. WATCH: Ghislaine Maxwell refused to answer questions about Epstein in House deposition, Comer says Maxwell has been seeking to have her conviction overturned, arguing that she was wrongfully convicted. The Supreme Court rejected her appeal but she has asked a federal judge in New York to consider what her attorneys describe as "substantial new evidence" that her trial was spoiled by constitutional violations. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. The Republican chair of the committee, Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, said it was "very disappointing" that Maxwell declined to participate in the deposition. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now