Ghislaine Maxwell appeared at a congressional hearing via video link from a prison in Texas, where she refused to answer questions about Jeffrey Epstein. The release of more than 3 million documents last week has shed new light on the crimes of convicted sex offender Epstein and his accomplice, Maxwell. She is currently serving a 20-year sentence, but her lawyer took the hearing as an opportunity to openly campaign for a pardon from President Donald Trump.

Republican House Oversight Committee chairman James Comer said that Maxwell pleaded the Fifth Amendment “as expected”, invoking her right to remain silent. Her lawyer said that she is prepared to speak “fully and honestly” on Jeffrey Epstein to clear Donald Trump‘s name, but only in return for clemency from the US president. Trump has denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and has never been charged with any offence connected to the case. His name has appeared several times in the Epstein files.

During the hearing, Maxwell was asked: “Are you aware of Donald Trump ever engaging in sexual activity with an individual introduced to him by you or Jeffrey Epstein?” She responded: “I invoke my 5th Amendment right.”

Maxwell’s lawyer, David Oscar Markus, said she is willing to cooperate and provide evidence that would prove the innocence of Donald Trump and Bill Clinton. Following the hearing, he said: “Maxwell is prepared to speak fully and honestly if granted clemency by President Trump. Only she can provide the complete account. Some may not like what they hear, but the truth matters.

“For example, both President Trump and President Clinton are innocent of any wrongdoing.

“Ms Maxwell alone can explain why, and the public is entitled to that explanation.”

Democratic representative Ms Stansbury said that Maxwell’s silence was sending a clear message to the US President. She said: “It is very clear that she used this opportunity to not only campaign for clemency, but also to send a direct message that her silence can be bought through clemency.”

Meanwhile, Republican House Oversight Committee chairman James Comer said: “This is obviously very disappointing.

“We had many questions to ask about the crimes she and Epstein committed, as well as questions about potential co-conspirators.”

“We sincerely want to get to the truth for the American people, and justice for the survivors, that’s what this investigation is about,” he added.

Maxwell was convicted in New York in 2021 of helping Epstein recruit and abuse underage girls. Epstein was arrested in 2019 but died in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial. His death was ruled a suicide.