Ghislaine Maxwell Invokes Fifth Amendment in Brief House Oversight Deposition; Lawyer Seeks Clemency to Testify in Epstein Probe
Ghislaine Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment rights during a brief virtual House Oversight Committee deposition on Feb. 9, 2026, refusing substantive answers while her lawyer offered cooperation only if clemency were granted from a federal prison in Bryan, Texas.
Key takeaways
- Short deposition: Maxwell pleaded the Fifth and the session ended in under an hour, limiting committee questioning. ABC News, CBS News, Politico
- Clemency condition: Maxwell’s lawyer said she has no evidence implicating Presidents Trump or Clinton and would testify only if granted clemency. CBS News, Politico
- Location: Maxwell appeared from a minimum-security federal prison in Bryan, Texas, where she is serving a 20-year sentence. ABC News, CBS News
- Investigation impact: The refusal to testify is a setback for the bipartisan Epstein probe and sharpens debate over immunity, clemency and survivors’ interests. CBS News, Politico
Main coverage
What happened in the deposition
The virtual session opened Monday morning with committee members expecting extended, on-the-record testimony. Instead, Maxwell’s attorney announced she would invoke her right against self-incrimination. Lawmakers had only a few minutes to question her before the interview concluded in under an hour, a development described by reporters on the scene. ABC News, CBS News
Markus’s statement to the committee
“Both President Trump and President Clinton are innocent of any wrongdoing. Ms. Maxwell alone can explain why, and the public is entitled to that explanation.” — statement read by attorney David Oscar Markus and later posted on X.
Markus told the committee that Maxwell has no evidence implicating President Donald Trump or former President Bill Clinton and that she would answer questions only if President Trump granted clemency. That framing shaped the brief session and the immediate public reaction. CBS News, Politico
Why the Fifth Amendment was invoked
Committee members had previously declined Maxwell’s request for immunity after consulting with Epstein survivors, leaving her exposed to potential criminal liability. Facing ongoing criminal proceedings, Maxwell’s legal team cited the constitutional protection to avoid self-incrimination. Her lawyer’s conditional public offer to cooperate only in exchange for clemency drew criticism from lawmakers who called the move disappointing. ABC News, CBS News
Lawmakers’ responses
Republicans on the panel, including Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), voiced frustration and called Maxwell’s refusal “disappointing,” while pledging to continue the inquiry. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) confirmed the attorney’s statement clearing Trump and Clinton, as relayed by Markus. ABC News, CBS News
Democrats were sharply critical: Rep. Jasmine Crockett said Maxwell showed little remorse; Rep. Robert Garcia alleged Maxwell received special treatment under the Trump administration, citing a prison transfer after a meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche; and Rep. Suhas Subramanyam called the clemency condition calculated and described Maxwell as “unrepentant.” ABC News, CBS News
Context of the House Oversight probe
This deposition is one element of a broader bipartisan inquiry into federal handling of Jeffrey Epstein’s case. The committee has issued subpoenas to former attorneys general and FBI directors and is seeking Justice Department documents under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law in November 2025. The panel is compiling records and testimony to fill gaps in the public account of the investigation and prosecution. CBS News
Past interviews and documents
Maxwell previously met for two days with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in July 2025; the Justice Department released a transcript of that interview. Her earlier cooperation and the subsequent transfer to the Texas facility sparked scrutiny across the political spectrum. CBS News
Upcoming depositions and next steps
Chairman Comer said the committee will press forward. Scheduled depositions include Leslie Wexner (Feb. 18), Hillary Clinton (Feb. 26), Bill Clinton (Feb. 27), and testimony from Epstein’s accountant and lawyer in coming weeks. The committee plans additional document requests and interviews as it seeks fuller accounts. ABC News
Why this matters
Maxwell is a central figure who could corroborate names, meetings and patterns of abuse. Her refusal to testify now — and the clemency condition — presents a crossroads: either the committee seeks legal tools to compel testimony, or it continues to piece together the record from documents and other witnesses. The brief deposition is therefore a significant setback for investigators and survivors seeking fuller accountability. ABC News, CBS News, Politico
Legal and political stakes
Invoking the Fifth is a lawful, common defense in high-stakes probes where testimony could lead to criminal exposure. Politically, the move heightens pressure: Republicans pushing to uncover Epstein’s network risk criticism if witnesses refuse to cooperate, while Democrats warn that any clemency bargain could undercut justice for survivors. Both sides emphasize that the public deserves more answers. CBS News, Politico
Implications for Huntington Beach, California
- Local political interest: Huntington Beach’s politically engaged, conservative-leaning electorate will closely watch the committee’s next moves and may press for clearer accountability from federal agencies. CBS News
- Media and civic groups: Local outlets and civic organizations may demand transparency and debate the appropriateness of clemency versus survivors’ rights. CBS News
- Legal and public-safety concerns: Prosecutors, defense attorneys and victim advocates in Orange County may push for reviews of how sex-trafficking investigations are handled and coordinate survivor outreach. CBS News
- Political campaigns and messaging: Local candidates may use the episode in campaign messaging, either to argue for stronger federal oversight or to warn against politicizing criminal cases. Politico
- Daily life and community values: Community groups and faith organizations may increase support services for survivors as national attention continues to focus on the case. CBS News
What to watch next
Expect more subpoenas, document reviews and scheduled depositions in the weeks ahead as the committee weighs legal options to obtain testimony or records. Debate will continue over whether clemency is an appropriate tool to secure fuller accounts from central figures tied to the Epstein case. ABC News, CBS News, Politico
