Ghislaine Maxwell — the imprisoned accomplice and former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein — will be subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee as Congress fights to uncover more details about Epstein's sex trafficking operation.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) introduced the motion to compel Maxwell's testimony, citing frustration over continued secrecy and lack of accountability.
"She's the last one standing," Burchett told reporters. "I'd like to get her there before she's allowed to commit suicide as well. I'm just tired of it."
Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence after her 2022 conviction for helping Epstein -- who famously died while awaiting trial in 2019 -- traffic underage girls, has denied wrongdoing and is currently appealing her case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Epstein's death was ultimately ruled a suicide, a ruling that continues to raise suspicions.
Democrats have cautiously welcomed the opportunity to question Maxwell but don't expect to be satisfied by Maxwell's testimony.
"Given that Ms. Maxwell's hopes for freedom depend on clemency and a pardon from President Trump, her testimony about Trump, his relationship with Epstein and the extent of Trump's role in any conspiracy simply has no reliability," Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) told Axios.
Raskin described the move as an "evasive ploy to obscure the fact that they are not doing the one thing they promised to do ... which is release the Epstein file."
Despite logistical hurdles due to Maxwell's incarceration, Oversight Chair James Comer confirmed the committee is coordinating with the Federal Bureau of Prisons to facilitate the deposition. "Our committee is very interested in getting to the bottom of the whole Epstein saga," Comer said.
Comer (R-KY) backed Burchett's motion. "We're going to be aggressive and try to talk to her as quick as possible," he told Axios.
While Comer emphasized that Republicans on the committee "overwhelmingly support" the subpoena, there was no coordination with the White House or House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
"I have not spoken to Trump about it all," Burchett acknowledged, adding, "He has my number."
The Justice Department announced earlier Tuesday it would also seek to interview Maxwell—hours before Burchett filed his motion—fueling speculation that public and political pressure is beginning to force action.
Originally published on Latin Times
