Ghislaine Maxwell to testify before US Congress in Epstein probe

January 22, 2026

Ghislaine Maxwell, currently serving 20 years for sex trafficking crimes related to Jeffrey Epstein, has agreed to provide sworn testimony to a congressional committee examining federal handling of the Epstein case, with her deposition scheduled virtually for February 9th. Her attorneys have indicated she will invoke Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination since the committee refused to grant immunity, arguing that testifying from prison without such protection poses security risks and potential additional criminal liability. The congressional investigation has expanded to include contempt proceedings against Bill and Hillary Clinton for refusing to comply with subpoenas, though Bill Clinton has never faced accusations from Epstein's victims.

Who is affected

Ghislaine Maxwell (imprisoned former Epstein associate providing testimony)
Congressional committee members led by Chairman James Comer
Jeffrey Epstein's teenage victims (referenced as those Maxwell trafficked)
The Trump administration (facing scrutiny over Epstein case handling)
The Department of Justice (facing criticism over file releases and redactions)
Bill and Hillary Clinton (held in contempt by committee for refusing subpoenas)
Lawmakers from both political parties (criticizing DOJ's handling)

What action is being taken

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is investigating the federal government's handling of the Epstein files
Maxwell is scheduled to depose virtually on February 9th
The Trump administration is facing scrutiny for its handling of the Epstein case
The Department of Justice is releasing Epstein files (though only a fraction have been made public so far)
The Republican-led House Oversight Committee has voted to hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress

Why it matters

This investigation represents a significant congressional effort to examine how federal authorities handled one of the most high-profile sex trafficking cases in recent history, involving numerous powerful individuals and potentially revealing failures in law enforcement oversight. The testimony from Maxwell, a key participant in Epstein's crimes, could provide critical insights into the scope of wrongdoing and government response, though her invocation of Fifth Amendment rights may limit what information emerges. The contempt proceedings against prominent political figures like the Clintons, combined with bipartisan criticism of excessive redactions in released files, demonstrates the widespread concern about transparency and accountability in this case that has implicated or connected numerous influential people across decades.

What's next

Maxwell's virtual deposition is scheduled for February 9th
The contempt measure against Bill and Hillary Clinton must pass the full House of Representatives before being referred to the Justice Department
Maxwell could potentially seek to persuade a federal judge in New York to vacate or amend her sentence (though a presidential pardon has been denied as under consideration by the White House)

Read full article from source: BBC