Trump Defends DOJ Official Over Ghislaine Maxwell Meeting, Prison Transfer
President Donald Trump stated that he was unaware of Ghislaine Maxwell’s recent transfer to prison and did not give his personal approval for it.
“I had no knowledge of it whatsoever, no, I learned about it just as you did,” Trump remarked on Tuesday.
The president was inquired about Maxwell during an event related to the forthcoming 2028 Olympic Games, which are set to take place in Los Angeles. A reporter initially questioned whether he had authorized the transfer.
Following that, there was a subsequent question, “Do you consider Maxwell to be credible?”
Trump did not respond to that inquiry directly. Instead, he defended Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche — who was previously his personal attorney — noting that Blanche had met with Maxwell individually just prior to the transfer.
“A person of very high regard,” Trump commented. “Respected by all.”
Blanche interrogated Maxwell for several hours in relation to the ongoing federal investigation concerning Jeffrey Epstein, as reported by Newsweek. Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 on federal sex-trafficking charges, is currently seeking to overturn her sentence through an appeal.
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Trump recently stated that he had not considered the possibility of pardoning Maxwell, but he reminded reporters that he possesses “the power to do so.”
On Tuesday, Trump elaborated: “I did not discuss this with [Blanche], but I can assure you that any request he made would be entirely appropriate. It is not uncommon to take such actions, and I believe he likely wants to ensure that individuals who should not be implicated, or who are not involved, do not suffer from something that would be extremely unfortunate and unjust to many.”
He reaffirmed Blanche’s standing.
“Any discussions he had with her or the fact that he engaged in that — is not unusual, firstly, and most importantly, is something that would be completely transparent,” Trump remarked.
The White House directed reporters back to these comments when directly questioned about Trump’s view on Maxwell’s credibility.
Maxwell was serving a 20-year sentence in a low-security prison located in Tallahassee, Florida, but she has recently been moved to a minimum-security facility in Bryan, Texas.
Legal experts have expressed significant concerns.
Claire Finkelstein, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, conveyed to NPR, “It is quite troubling when an individual who was previously the president’s personal attorney becomes involved in potentially aiding the president in safeguarding his own reputation in this matter — when he ought to be acting impartially for the Justice Department to ensure that justice prevails and that the interests of the American populace are upheld.”
Sarah Krissoff, a former federal prosecutor who worked alongside Blanche in New York, also voiced her concerns.
She informed NPR that it was “extraordinarily unusual” for the deputy attorney general to personally conduct the interview without the presence of other law enforcement officials in the room.
“Typically, one would never conduct an interview with a cooperating witness without law enforcement personnel present,” she stated.
Maxwell was serving her sentence in Florida when she was convicted in 2022 for her involvement in a long-term scheme with Epstein to entice and sexually abuse minors, leading to a 20-year federal prison sentence. She has been persistently appealing her conviction.
Earlier this week, a House committee addressed Maxwell’s plea for immunity in return for her testimony concerning the deceased financier and convicted sex offender.
On Tuesday, the House Oversight Committee denied a request from Maxwell’s legal representatives for immunity in exchange for her testimony before Congress.
In a letter, Maxwell’s lawyers indicated that she was prepared to testify about her relationship with Epstein, contingent upon the granting of formal immunity and the fulfillment of specific additional conditions.