Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell refused to answer questions at a deposition before the U.S. House's Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Monday (February 9), according to lawmakers, drawing criticism from both Republican and Democratic members of the committee.

Maxwell, who was found guilty in 2021 for her role in helping Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence, invoked her Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination and declined to answer questions, lawmakers said after the deposition.

Democrats on the committee accused Maxwell of using the deposition to campaign for clemency from U.S. President Donald Trump and called on the Republican president to rule out such a move.

David Markus, a lawyer for Maxwell, said he advised her to invoke the Fifth Amendment as she has a pending habeas petition "that demonstrates that her conviction rests on a fundamentally unfair trial."

The deposition came as the U.S. Department of Justice has released millions of internal documents related to Epstein.

Documents released include photos of Trump with several women whose faces are redacted and a suggestive note to Epstein, framed by the outline of a naked woman, which appears to bear Trump's signature.

Trump has denied any knowledge of Epstein's crimes and says he broke off ties in the early 2000s, before Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to a Florida state prostitution charge. He says the suggestive note was faked.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION (FEBRUARY 9, 2026) (GOP OVERSIGHT - Access all)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) REPRESENTATIVE FOR MAXWELL, DAVID MARKUS, SAYING:

OFFICIAL: "Can the witness please state her name and spell her last name, for the record?"

MARKUS: "Before she does that. This is David Markus, and I just wanted to introduce her and make a brief statement. So members of the committee, on my advice, Ghislaine Maxwell will respectfully invoke her Fifth Amendment right to silence and decline to answer questions today, even though she would very much like to answer your questions, she must remain silent because Ms Maxwell has a habeas petition currently pending that demonstrates her conviction rests on a fundamentally unfair trial. For example, jurors lied during voir dire to secure seats on the jury, and the government promised immunity and then broke that promise. Newly discovered documents now demonstrate these facts conclusively. If this committee and the American public truly want to hear the unfiltered truth about what happened, there is a straightforward path. Ms Maxwell is prepared to speak fully and honestly, if granted clemency by President Trump, only she can provide a complete account. And some may not like what they, what they hear, but the truth matters. For example, both President Trump and President Clinton are innocent of any wrongdoing. Ms Maxwell alone can explain why. And the public is entitled to hear that explanation. Thank you, members of the committee, for having us today. Ms Maxwell can now proceed to answer her questions with the Fifth Amendment. Thank you."

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EPSTEIN ASSOCIATE, GHISLAINE MAXWELL, SAYING:

OFFICIAL: "You are required by law to answer questions from Congress truthfully. This also applies to questions posed by congressional staff and this deposition. Do you understand?"

MAXWELL: "I do."

OFFICIAL: "If at any time you knowingly make false statements, you could be subject to criminal prosecution, including but not limited to perjury. Do you understand?"

MAXWELL: "I do."

OFFICIAL: "This includes both knowingly providing false testimony, but also stating that you do not recall or remember something when in fact you do. Do you understand?"

MAXWELL: "I do."

OFFICIAL: "Furthermore, you cannot tell half truths or exclude information necessary to make statements accurate. You are required to provide all information that would make your response truthful. A deliberate failure to disclose the information can constitute as a false statement. Do you understand?"

MAXWELL: "I do."

4. WHITE FLASH

5. MAXWELL TAKING OATH

6. WHITE FLASH

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EPSTEIN ASSOCIATE, GHISLAINE MAXWELL, SAYING:

OFFICIAL: "Ms Maxwell, were you a close friend and confidant of Jeffrey Epstein?"

MAXWELL: "I would like to answer your question, but on the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer this question and any related questions. My habeas petition is pending in the Southern District of New York. I therefore invoke my right to silence under the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution."

OFFICIAL: "Let the record reflect that Ms Maxwell has invoked the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination. Ms Maxwell, please be very clear. Are you declining to answer the question put to you solely on the ground that you believe the answer will incriminate you?"

MAXWELL: "I invoke my Fifth Amendment right to silence."

OFFICIAL: "Ms Maxwell, did you at any time play any role in Jeffrey Epstein's activities involving the recruitment, grooming or trafficking of young women or girls?"

MAXWELL: "I invoke my Fifth Amendment right to silence."

OFFICIAL: "Let the record reflect that Ms Maxwell has invoked the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination. Ms Maxwell, please be very clear. Are you declining to answer the question put to you solely on the grounds that you believe the answer will incriminate you?"

MAXWELL: "I invoke my Fifth Amendment right to silence."

OFFICIAL: "Ms Maxwell, have you ever coerced, directed or otherwise instructed any young woman or girl to provide sexual favors to Mr. Epstein or any other individual?"

MAXWELL: "I invoke my Fifth Amendment right to silence."

OFFICIAL: "Let the record reflect that Ms Maxwell has invoked the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination."

8. WHITE FLASH

9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EPSTEIN ASSOCIATE, GHISLAINE MAXWELL, SAYING:

OFFICIAL: "At any point during your personal relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, were you aware that Mr. Epstein was sexually abusing minors and adult women?"

MAXWELL: "I would like to answer your question, but on the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer this question and any related questions. My habeas petition is pending in the Southern District of New York. I therefore invoke my right to silence under the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution."

OFFICIAL: "Have you ever facilitated the sexual abuse of any minor or adult woman by Mr Epstein?"

MAXWELL: "I invoke my Fifth Amendment right to silence."

OFFICIAL: "Have you ever participated in the sexual abuse of any minor or adult woman?"

MAXWELL: "I invoke my Fifth Amendment right to silence."

10. WHITE FLASH

11. MAXWELL AT END OF QUESTIONING