The Epstein files: Ghislaine Maxwell's appeals, interviews and clemency bids

Maxwell challenged her conviction in an appeals court in March 2024, arguing that Epstein's earlier non-prosecution agreement in Florida should have protected her from prosecution.^[16] The appeals court upheld the conviction in September.^[2] The Supreme Court declined to hear her appeal in October 2025.^[3] In December, she asked a federal judge to set aside her conviction, citing what she called new evidence.^[17] The judge rejected that challenge and her request for release in August 2026.^[4]

The Justice Department interviewed Maxwell separately from those court proceedings. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche questioned her over two days in July 2025.^[5] Her lawyer discussed the possibility of a presidential pardon but said he had not spoken to Trump's team about one.^[18] Maxwell was subsequently transferred from a federal prison in Florida to a prison camp in Texas; the cited reporting did not explain the reason for the transfer.^[19] In August, the department released transcripts in which she discussed Epstein and said she had never witnessed Trump or Bill Clinton behaving inappropriately.^[20][21]

Congress also sought Maxwell's testimony. The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed her in July 2025 and rejected her request for immunity in exchange for testifying.^[22][23] In November, House Democrats said whistleblower information indicated that she planned to request a commutation, or reduction of her prison sentence.^[24] At a House deposition in February 2026, she invoked the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and declined to answer questions. She indicated that she would testify that Trump and Clinton had done nothing wrong if Trump ended her sentence.^[25][6] In July, the Senate unanimously adopted its resolution opposing clemency.^[7]