Maxwell prison transfer raises witness tampering concerns, House Dems say
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Rep. Jamie Raskin speaks as people protest in Philadelphia as part of the No Kings Rallies at Love Park on June 14. Photo: Lisa Lake/Getty Images for No Kings
Ghislaine Maxwell's controversial prison transfer following her interview with a Justice Department official raises "substantial concern" the administration may be trying to tamper with a witness, some House Judiciary Democrats argued in a recent letter.
The big picture: The move of the convicted sex trafficker, who was serving a 20-year prison sentence in Florida, to a minimum-security facility in Texas was slammed by the family of Virginia Giuffre and other Jeffrey Epstein accusers, arguing it "smacks of a cover up."
- Maxwell, who is pushing to have her conviction appealed, has been the subject of ire and speculation amid backlash toward the Trump administration's handling of Epstein evidence.
- She met with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche last month, who interviewed her for two days.
Driving the news: Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee, led by Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), are now demanding answers on Maxwell's transfer, as well as "all documents and information" related to Blanche's interview.
- "These actions raise substantial concerns that the Administration may now be attempting to tamper with a crucial witness, conceal President Trump's relationship with convicted sex offenders, and coax Ms. Maxwell into providing false or misleading testimony" to protect Trump, they argued in a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Bureau of Prisons Director William K. Marshall III.
- The lawmakers further argued the transfer "appears to violate" DOJ and Bureau of Prisons (BOP) policies, citing the "public safety factor" classification given to sex offenders, which they note would restrict such inmates from minimum-security federal prison camps with "access to the community."
- While the group noted obtaining a waiver is possible, they argue Maxwell "short-circuited the entire review process and jumped the queue."
Catch up quick: Trump told reporters earlier this month that he didn't know about Maxwell's transfer.
- Trump hasn't ruled out a pardon for Maxwell, who was sentenced in 2022 to 20 years in prison on sex trafficking and other charges for helping Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls.
- The White House and Justice Department did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
- House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) has also issued a subpoena to Maxwell for a since-delayed deposition originally set for this month.
Zoom out: Earlier this month, Democracy Defenders Fund, founded by Obama administration alumnus Norm Eisen, submitted a series of Freedom of Information Act requests seeking records of communications between DOJ and BOP leadership related to Maxwell's transfer.
What we're watching: The Democratic lawmakers requested a slew of documents, including a list of all administration officials aware of Maxwell's transfer and interview transcripts, by Aug. 26.
- "There can be no question that your actions have served to send a clear message to Ms. Maxwell in the lead up to any testimony before Congress and the American public: this Administration can punish or reward her as it sees fit for its own purposes," the letter read.
- "It is imperative that the Administration come clean," they added.
Go deeper: Ghislaine Maxwell's grand jury transcripts won't be unsealed, judge rules
