The US Department of Justice has contacted Ghislaine Maxwell’s lawyers in an effort to gather more information about her role in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking case, amid a growing backlash from the right-wing media and Republican leaders over the department’s decision not to release more files related to the investigation.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced on social media that he had requested a meeting with Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for her involvement in Epstein’s abuse of young girls. The move comes after a major committee in the Republican-controlled House voted to subpoena Maxwell, and days after it was reported that President Trump sent Epstein a salacious birthday greeting in 2003.
Maxwell’s lawyers have expressed willingness to cooperate with the government, but there are concerns among Epstein’s victims and their families that she may try to secure a more lenient sentence. “It would be a terrible blow to all of the women who she harmed,” said Annie Farmer, one of Maxwell’s victims.
The department claims that the decision not to release more files is based on new evidence that does not warrant an investigation into previously uncharged individuals. However, critics argue that this explanation is dubious and that the department is trying to avoid releasing information that could damage Trump’s reputation.
As the debate over Epstein’s case continues, it remains unclear how much information will be released about Maxwell or whether she will become a reliable narrator in the case. One thing is certain: her involvement in the scandal has ignited a fierce backlash from those who want answers and accountability for the victims of Epstein’s abuse.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/us/politics/ghislaine-maxwell-epstein-doj.html