Ghislaine Maxwell Pleads the Fifth in Congressional Deposition on Epstein Trafficking Ring

Ghislaine Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a virtual deposition with the House Oversight Committee this morning, declining to answer questions about her role in Jeffrey Epstein's alleged sex trafficking operation.

The committee subpoenaed Maxwell to testify about the crimes she and Epstein committed and to identify possible collaborators in the trafficking ring. According to Committee Chair James Comer, Maxwell exercised her constitutional right rather than provide testimony.

Both Republicans and Democrats on the committee say Maxwell's refusal to answer questions prevents justice for the young women and girls she and Epstein abused.

The panel has five more depositions scheduled as part of its ongoing probe, including testimony from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton.

Maxwell's hearing coincided with the release of an unredacted version of the Justice Department's files on Epstein, now available for members of Congress to review under the Epstein Files Transparency Act signed into law last year.