Ghislaine Maxwell refused to answer questions during a closed, online deposition before a House of Representatives committee on Monday, citing her Fifth Amendment right to avoid self-incrimination in the ongoing congressional investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
The testimony followed months of efforts by the committee to secure Maxwell’s appearance. She is serving a 20-year sentence in a Texas correctional facility. Despite the importance of the session, committee members reported that no new information emerged.
Maxwell cites legal counsel
Appearing in prison attire, Maxwell responded to questions about her relationship with Epstein by stating: “I would like to answer your question, but, following my lawyer’s advice, I respectfully refuse to answer this question or any related question. The habeas corpus petition I filed is pending in the Southern District of New York. Accordingly, I invoke my right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution.”
James Comer, chairman of the committee, said after the deposition: “Unfortunately, she had the opportunity today to answer questions that concern every American and are critical to this investigation, and she chose to invoke the Fifth Amendment.” He added that Maxwell’s legal team made prepared statements at the start before she refused to respond.
Committee response
Committee senior Democrat Robert Garcia commented that “after months of ignoring the subpoena, Ghislaine Maxwell finally appeared and said nothing,” noting that she provided no information “about the men who raped and trafficked women and girls.”
The committee had issued the initial subpoena in July. Maxwell was convicted in 2022 by a federal court for her role in Epstein’s trafficking of underage girls. She has denied abusing anyone and maintains that she was used as a scapegoat following Epstein’s 2019 prison death, a claim rejected by prosecutors.
❌ 'I respectively decline to answer this question and any related questions.'
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) February 10, 2026
Ghislaine Maxwell wore her prison uniform while testifying before Congress that she could not answer any questions about Jeffrey Epstein, video footage shows.
Maxwell spoke only to spell her name and… pic.twitter.com/Zn1F83qjkM
Previous interactions and immunity
Reports indicate that Maxwell did not invoke her right to remain silent during a July meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, as she had limited immunity at the time. However, Comer rejected her request for broader immunity in exchange for testimony. Maxwell’s lawyer reportedly stated she would only answer questions if granted a pardon by President Donald Trump, a proposal firmly refused by the committee chair.
Also read: Maxwell testimony: silence expected before Congress
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