The Justice Department spoke with convicted sex trafficker Gislane Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s ex-girlfriend.
Who is Jeffrey Epstein’s ex-girlfriend, Gislaine Maxwell?
Former socialite Githlane Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of a sex trafficking minor linked to embarrassing financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Over the two days, Justice Department officials questioned Jeffrey Epstein’s ex-girlfriend, convicted sex trafficker Gis Lane Maxwell, as the White House continues to fight for more transparency in what Epstein did and what others may be involved in.
It is unclear what came out of the interview, but Maxwell’s lawyer David Marx said his client answered all the government questions, covering around 100 people.
“She answered questions about everyone, but she didn’t hold back anything,” Marx said.
The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment on what came out of the interview.
The speech follows more than two weeks of baking rage from members of President Donald Trump’s base over the division’s announcement that the file will not be released at Epstein in early July. The DOJ said that a systematic review of the file would not display a list of clients involved in Epstein’s crimes.
Even some Congressional Republicans have led the file announcement or introduced legislation to try to force the Trump administration’s hand. Republican leaders have so far been blocking the law, and White House officials continue to resist these calls.
Still, Associate Attorney General Todd Blanche suggests that Maxwell could unveil new details about Epstein’s circle and crime.
This is all the latest in Fallout:
July 25: Maxwell’s lawyers show their desire for pardon
Maxwell was convicted in 2021 by Epstein of trafficking minors for sexual abuse. She currently serves a 20-year prison sentence and is pending appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Marx showed on July 25th that his client could immediately seek pardon.
“We don’t talk to the president or anyone about pardon,” he said. “The President this morning said he has the power to do so. I hope he will exercise that power to the right and just on the road.”
Trump not only has the power to completely relent Maxwell, but also commutes her prison sentence. But for many, it may seem less than increasing accountability – especially when Maxwell offers little in return.
On the morning of July 25th, Trump said he had not thought about Maxwell’s pardon, but did not rule it out.
“I’m allowed to do that, but that’s something I didn’t think about,” Trump said. “I certainly can’t speak about pardons right now.”
July 25th: 16% of poll voters approve Trump administration in Epstein
Only 16% of voters responding to the poll released on July 25 by Emerson College Polling approved the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein Files. 51% were disapproved and 33% were neutral.
The poll surveyed 1,400 US voters between July 21 and 22. According to the voting organization, the margin for that error is ±2.5 points.
July 23: Testimony of the Florida Judge Shield Epstein Grand Jury
In addition to approaching Maxwell, the Department of Justice asked federal judges in Florida and New York to establish a seal of testimony before investigating Epstein and Maxwell. If the judge allows the release of the transcript, the department said it would first compile both victim-related information and personal identification information from the transcript.
On July 23, federal judge Judge Robin L. Rosenberg wrote that he had no authority to deny the request in Florida and ordered the release of the records due to previous rulings from the Court of Appeals, which presided over her court.
A New York judge has yet to rule on the administration’s demands there.
July 23: Reports emerged that Ag Bondi told Trump that he was named in Epstein Files in May
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal and CNN, Attorney General Pambondy told Trump in May that he was named multiple times in Jeffrey Epstein’s government files.
White House officials did not object to Trump’s name being mentioned in the Epstein Files. USAUSAGU informed that the president’s name was included in a binder bondy briefing prepared for Magazine Influencers in February. However, the official rejected the proposal that Trump engaged in fraud in connection with Epstein.
In the sense that it is named, it does not mean that the person has been a criminal.
July 22: House speaker Mike Johnson starts his summer break early to avoid Epstein
House Speaker of the r-louisiana, Mike Johnson, announced on July 22 that he would close his home early for summer holidays to avoid voting for the release of the Epstein Files. Johnson said there was “no sunlight” between the Trump administration and the House, and said the White House needed “space” to address the issue.
Members of Congress were scheduled to leave Washington for several weeks starting July 24, but Johnson said he would vote on July 23 to close the schedule.
Johnson has taken that step in the wake of a co-sponsored lawmaker Thomas Massie of R-Kentucky and Lauren Boebert of R-Colorado, following a co-sponsored law calling for the release of the government’s Epstein Records.
July 22: New footage shows Epstein at Trump’s wedding
Archived video footage and photos revealed by CNN on July 22 show Jeffrey Epstein attended Trump’s wedding with Marla Maples at the Plaza Hotel in 1993.
Maples is the second of Trump’s three wives. The couple divorced in 1999.
“You have to be kidding me,” Trump told CNN when asked over the phone about her wedding photos. He called the outlet “fake news” and hung up the phone.
White House Communications Director Stephen Chen said the image “will grasp harmless videos and photos of events that have participated widely, and guess something creepy with disgust.”
July 22: House Committee agrees to seek Maxwell’s testimony
The House of Representatives Oversight and Government Reform Committee agreed to Maxwell’s subpoena on July 22 to testify.
R-Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett said he sought a subpoena to learn more about Epstein’s criminal conduct.
“This deposition will help Americans understand how Jeffrey Epstein was able to carry out his evil actions for a long time without being taken to justice,” Burchett said.
July 18: Trump sues Wall Street Journal with Skate Epstein’s birthday letter
On July 17, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump sent Epstein in an unknowing birthday letter on his 50th birthday in early 2003.
The letter contains a type-writing dialogue between “Donald” and “Jeffrey.” In the dialogue, “Donald” says, “We have something in common, we have Jeffrey.” The dialogue says “Trump” and “My mates are amazing. Happy birthday – and every day it could be another great secret.”
The dialogue is wrapped in the seemingly hand-drawn outlines of a naked woman, the journal reported. The letter is embarrassed by a pair of arcs showing a woman’s breasts and a wavy signature of “Donald.”
USA Today was unable to confirm the details or origin of the letter.
Contributions: Joey Garrison, Bert Jansen, Melina Karn, Savannakture, Christopher Kang – USA TODAY
