Republicans on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee are split on whether Ghislaine Maxwell should be pardoned for testimony in the investigation over sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Maxwell, notoriously known as Epstein’s loyal accomplice, repeatedly used her Fifth Amendment right to avoid answering questions from the Oversight Committee. Her lawyer said she would only speak if granted clemency by President Donald Trump.
House Oversight Chair James Comer said “a lot of people” believe a pardon is a reasonable exchange for Maxwell’s testimony, but conceded that the committee “is split” over the argument.
“I don’t speak for my committee,” Comer continued during an interview on Wednesday while stating that he is not in favor of the proposed exchange, according to Politico.
“I think it looks bad,” he said. “Honestly, other than Epstein, the worst person in this whole investigation is Maxwell.”
I made my position clear: I am not open to a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell.
In the future, use my full statement.
Don’t post clickbait. https://t.co/RfflZEeZuS
— Rep. James Comer (@RepJamesComer) April 22, 2026
Committee Democrats, on the other hand, are reportedly a united front in opposing a pardon for Maxwell, according to statements given to Politico.
“That would be a huge step backwards, and, quite frankly, so disrespectful to the survivors,” California Dem Robert Garcia said. “She is a known abuser. She is a known liar.”
Garcia continued, “If the DOJ or Oversight Republicans are out there trying to negotiate some sort of pardon that is … not only a huge slap in the face to this investigation, to anyone, to the American public… It’s a part of a massive cover-up.”
Absolutely NOT. @OversightDems are united in opposing a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell. It’s outrageous that any Republicans on our committee would consider this. She is an abuser and known liar. https://t.co/mUZ9mHJIRV
— Congressman Robert Garcia (@RepRobertGarcia) April 22, 2026
According to a quick scan of responses to the story, most X users on both sides of the aisle appear to agree that Maxwell should not be pardoned.
NO WAY. It will be a HUGE INSULT to all the victims. It would also mean that all those thinking to pardon this pedophile may be directly or indirectly involved in the Epstein administration and hence they are voting to pardon her.
Nothing can be or will be more disappointing…
— CommonSense Maverick (@CommonSenseMav) April 23, 2026
I thought the Epstein Files were a Democrat hoax?@RepJamesComer
Show no mercy to pedophiles or those who enabled pedophiles. https://t.co/CMp7ekbuzL
— General Mike Flynn (@GenFlynn) April 23, 2026
Comer did not disclose the names of Republicans who are allegedly in favor of a pardon.
