Good afternoon. There are significant new developments following the deposition of Ghislaine Maxwell. I am continuing a detailed review of the Epstein files and will be on Capitol Hill Wednesday for Pam Bondi’s testimony—more reporting to come. Maxwell’s latest moves are already making headlines, and they matter. If you want to support independent reporting as I work through these records, please consider subscribing.
A global reckoning triggered by the U.S. Department of Justice’s release of millions of documents tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein shows no sign of slowing. New developments on both sides of the Atlantic underscore how deeply Epstein’s network penetrated political, diplomatic, and elite circles—and how fiercely those still entangled are fighting to control the fallout.
At the center of today’s developments is Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence at a minimum-security federal prison in Bryan, Texas. During a virtual deposition with the House Oversight Committee, Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, declining to answer lawmakers’ questions. This is the statement released following the deposition from Congressman Robert Garcia:
House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer sharply criticized the move, calling it “very disappointing.” He said lawmakers had intended to question Maxwell not only about the crimes she and Epstein committed, but also about “potential co-conspirators” who may have escaped accountability.
In a striking escalation, Maxwell’s legal team issued what many observers described as an extraordinary overture to President Donald Trump. In a public statement, her attorney suggested that if Trump were to grant Maxwell clemency, she would be willing to clear his name and President Bill Clinton’s name of any alleged wrongdoing related to Epstein. The offer immediately drew backlash from Epstein survivors and advocacy groups.
Survivors urged lawmakers to approach any claims from Maxwell with extreme caution. In a letter entered into the congressional record during the deposition, they warned committee members to treat her statements “with the utmost skepticism” and to rigorously scrutinize any attempt to rewrite history or deflect responsibility.
Virginia Giuffre’s family had a pointed message for Maxwell: “Ghislaine, you deserve to spend the rest of your life in a jail cell. Trapped in a cage forever just like you trapped your victims.”
Meanwhile, the Epstein files continue to reverberate internationally.
In the United Kingdom, police are reviewing allegations that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential government reports with Epstein during his tenure as a UK trade envoy. The prince has long denied any wrongdoing connected to Epstein and has not publicly responded to the latest claims. King Charles and the Royal family are expected to cooperate in this criminal probe.
Adding to the unease, the Prince and Princess of Wales expressed being “deeply concerned” by the revelations contained in the newly released files. A spokesperson conveyed the couple’s reaction to journalists in Riyadh ahead of Prince William’s visit to Saudi Arabia.
In Norway, the consequences have become criminal. Authorities charged former Norwegian ambassador Mona Juul with “gross corruption,” citing her relationship with Epstein, according to the country’s financial crimes agency, Økokrim. Her husband, diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen, was also charged with complicity in the alleged corruption.
Taken together, the developments underscore a widening international scandal that extends far beyond Epstein himself. As investigators, lawmakers, and journalists continue to comb through the newly released documents, pressure is mounting on institutions—and individuals—that for years avoided scrutiny. For survivors, the question remains whether this moment will finally bring accountability, or merely expose once again how power shields itself from consequences.