Ghislaine Maxwell will not get pardon recommendation, Blanche says

Andrew Pantazi

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing about the Justice Department’s proposed budget at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testifies before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on May 19. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told senators Tuesday that he will not recommend a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted sex trafficker who aided Jeffrey Epstein's abuse of underage girls.

Why it matters: Blanche personally interviewed Maxwell last year as part of the Justice Department's Epstein investigation, fueling speculation the administration might offer clemency in exchange for cooperation.

Driving the news: Blanche made the commitment during his first congressional testimony as acting attorney general at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) first asked Blanche if he would commit that the DOJ wouldn't recommend a pardon for anyone named in the Epstein files. Blanche said the files name hundreds of thousands of people.
When Van Hollen narrowed the question to Maxwell specifically, Blanche said: "Yes, I can commit to that."

Between the lines: Blanche's commitment can only bind the Justice Department's recommendation, not the president's ultimate decision.

President Trump hasn't ruled out a Maxwell pardon, saying last year he's "allowed" to do it.

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Ghislaine Maxwell will not get pardon recommendation, Blanche says

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