DOJ to interview Ghislaine Maxwell as Epstein controversy intensifies

U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche plans to interview Ghislaine Maxwell about possible evidence against clients of Jeffrey Epstein, according to a Tuesday statement. Maxwell, an associate of Epstein, was convicted in 2021 of conspiring to entice and transport minors for the purpose of committing sex acts and of sexually trafficking them. Blanche said he contacted Maxwell’s legal counsel and expected to meet with her within days. He said U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi directed him to do so.

Blanche also said he stood by the government’s recent conclusion that the FBI’s files on Epstein did not contain any evidence sufficient to investigate any uncharged third party. But the FBI and Department of Justice were willing to hear any further evidence Maxwell could provide, he said. The Department of Justice had never contacted her before, he said.

What else happened on Tuesday related to the Epstein case? A House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee voted to subpoena Maxwell for a deposition, Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., said. Burchett brought up the motion during an unrelated hearing. Committee chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., agreed to issue the subpoena, Burchett said. Democrats on the committee also said they unanimously voted for the subpoena.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said the chamber would start its August recess early and would give the White House space to release more information on Epstein, according to the Associated Press. Striking a balance between transparency for Epstein’s crimes and protection of victims was challenging, Johnson said. Republicans on the House Rules Committee recessed on Monday night, dodging Democrats’ efforts to get a floor vote on proposals to force further release of the Epstein files, according to the AP.

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