Deputy attorney general seeking meeting with Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell
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Todd Blanche during a news conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on June 27. Photo: Allison Robbert/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Tuesday that he is seeking a meeting with Jeffrey Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
The big picture: The MAGA revolt over the Trump administration's recent handling of the case — which Hill Democrats have gladly seized on — has seen Attorney General Pam Bondi become a key target of their discontent.
- The president, who amid mounting scrutiny has railed against what he is now calling a "hoax," last week directed Bondi to ask the court to release all relevant grand jury testimony.
- A federal judge on Tuesday directed the government to submit a memorandum explaining its request to unseal grand jury documents, as well as a "complete set of Maxwell grand jury transcripts" and other materials no later than July 29.
- Judge Paul Engelmayer also set an August 5 deadline for any letters from Maxwell or victims setting out their position on the proposed disclosure.
Driving the news: Blanche said in a social media post that Bondi instructed him to contact Maxwell's legal team — which he has done — and he intends to meet with Maxwell soon.
- "No one is above the law—and no lead is off-limits," he wrote.
- "This Department of Justice does not shy away from uncomfortable truths, nor from the responsibility to pursue justice wherever the facts may lead," Blanche said in a statement shared on Bondi's X account.
- Blanche added that the FBI and DOJ's joint statement sent earlier this month regarding Epstein "remains as accurate today as it was when it was written."
- "President Trump has told us to release all credible evidence," he continued. "If Ghislane Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say."
What he's saying: Trump on Tuesday told reporters he doesn't know about a meeting with Maxwell but that it "sounds appropriate to do."
- "I don't really follow that too much," he said. "It's sort of a witch hunt."
Zoom out: David Oscar Markus, Maxwell's attorney, confirmed to Axios that discussions with the government are underway and that "Ghislaine will always testify truthfully."
- "We are grateful to President Trump for his commitment to uncovering the truth in this case," he added.
- Maxwell and her family have sought a review of her case, petitioning the Supreme Court earlier this year. The DOJ urged the high court to reject that appeal last week.
- She was found guilty in 2021 of sex trafficking and other charges and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence in Florida.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information throughout.
