President Donald Trump stated Thursday that he has not considered granting a pardon to Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, as she continues to meet with federal prosecutors seeking further information related to Epstein’s sex trafficking network.
Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence for conspiring to sexually abuse minors, met with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on July 24 and 25. The meetings have reignited public and political scrutiny over Epstein’s clientele and the potential for further charges in the long-running scandal.
Trump: “I Haven’t Thought About It”
Asked by reporters at the White House whether he would consider pardoning Maxwell, Trump responded:
“It’s something I haven’t thought about. I’m allowed to do it, but it’s something I have not thought about.”
While Trump emphasized that the issue of a pardon had not crossed his mind, critics have raised concerns about the timing and nature of the meetings between Maxwell and senior Justice Department officials. Representative Dan Goldman (D-NY) suggested that Blanche’s outreach could be seen as an attempt to secure politically useful information in exchange for leniency.
Ties to Todd Blanche and Past Legal Proceedings
Trump praised Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, calling him “a great lawyer” and “a great guy.” Blanche previously represented Trump in his New York criminal trial, where the former president was convicted of falsifying business records. Trump is currently appealing that conviction.
Although Trump declined to elaborate on any potential pardons, the renewed spotlight on Maxwell’s testimony has raised broader questions about Epstein’s circle of associates and whether key figures may still face legal jeopardy.
Trump Distances Himself from Epstein
Trump again distanced himself from Epstein, reiterating that he had no involvement in Epstein’s crimes and denied visiting Epstein’s private island, where many of the alleged abuses took place.
“I have nothing to do with the guy,” Trump said. “I never went to the island.”
He acknowledged attending social events with Epstein in the 1990s and flying on Epstein’s private jet, as previously documented. However, he insisted that journalists should focus on other public figures, including hedge fund executives and politicians who had more extensive ties to Epstein.
Public Demands Transparency
Calls from lawmakers and advocacy groups continue to grow for the unsealing of investigative files related to Epstein’s operations. Trump’s name has reportedly appeared in some of these documents, fueling speculation and public interest.
Epstein, who was federally charged with sex trafficking of minors, died by suicide in detention in 2019 before facing trial.
As Maxwell’s cooperation with prosecutors deepens and political scrutiny intensifies, the case remains a flashpoint for demands of justice and transparency regarding one of the most notorious sex trafficking scandals in recent U.S. history.
