Nov 12, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Trump not weighing pardon for Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell

Julianna Bragg

The Trumps, Epstein and Maxwell pose for a picture at a club — From left, President Trump and first lady Melania Trump, convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell pose together at the Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach, Florida, February 12, 2000. Photo: Davidoff Studios/Getty Images

President Trump has no plans to pardon Ghislaine Maxwell, the central figure in the Jeffrey Epstein case and convicted sex offender serving a 20-year prison sentence, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday.

The big picture: The comment comes as Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva's (D-Ariz.) is set to be sworn in Wednesday evening — coinciding with a House vote to end the government shutdown — which would give the petition to release the Epstein files enough signatures to set the bipartisan push in motion.

"He's answered this repeatedly," Leavitt said about the president pardoning Maxwell. "It's not something he's talking about or even thinking about at this moment in time."

Yes, but: Trump said in July he wouldn't rule out pardoning Maxwell, telling reporters he is "allowed" to do so.

The latest: House Democrats on Wednesday released additional Epstein-related emails, suggesting Trump knew more about the convicted sex offender's abuse than he publicly acknowledged, including one exchange sent to Maxwell.

"i want you to realize that that dog that hasn't barked is trump...VICTIM spent hours at my house with him ,, he has never once been mentioned," the April 2011 email read.

Catch up quick: Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) sent Trump a six-page letter Sunday detailing whistleblower information that Maxwell was preparing to seek a commutation of her prison sentence from Trump.

Maxwell has allegedly been receiving "concierge-style treatment," in prison, including private meetings with visitors, expanded computer access and customized meals.

Raskin demanded that Trump's Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and his former personal attorney immediately appear at a public hearing to answer for "potential exchange of favors for false testimony exonerating you and other Epstein accomplices."
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) released a statement Monday urging House Speaker Mike Johnson and Oversight Chairman James Comer to "publicly oppose a commutation or pardon by President Trump."

What they're saying: The White House told Axios there was "Nothing more to add" on the situation.

Maxwell's attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Go deeper: Deputy attorney general meets with Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell

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Trump not weighing pardon for Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell

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