DOJ Seeks Direct Meeting With Ghislaine Maxwell Amid Epstein Probe

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to initiate direct talks with Ghislaine Maxwell’s legal team and possibly Maxwell herself, marking a dramatic new phase in the Department of Justice’s handling of the Epstein case.

Trump Administration Opens Door for Ghislaine Maxwell Meeting

Attorney General Pam Bondi has ordered Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to coordinate directly with Ghislaine Maxwell’s legal counsel to arrange a meeting regarding potential cooperation in the Epstein trafficking investigation. The directive, revealed on Tuesday, signals a rare and significant outreach from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to a convicted sex trafficker linked to one of the most controversial cases in recent U.S. legal history.

Blanche, a former prosecutor who served on President Trump’s legal team, confirmed on X that he expects to meet with Maxwell “in the coming days” to determine if she holds information on “anyone who has committed crimes against victims.” He emphasized that “no lead is off-limits” and reaffirmed the DOJ’s July 6 memo, which found no basis for investigating additional uncharged individuals and rejected conspiracy theories around Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 death in federal custody.

“Until now, no administration on behalf of the Department had inquired about her willingness to meet with the government. That changes now,” Blanche’s message detailed.

Maxwell’s appellate attorney, David Oscar Markus, confirmed the communication and said his client “will always testify truthfully” and is “grateful to President Trump for his commitment to uncovering the truth.”

Bondi’s directive comes on the heels of heightened pressure from lawmakers. The House Oversight Committee, led by Republicans, has advanced a motion to subpoena Maxwell, with Chairman James Comer vowing coordination with both the DOJ and the Bureau of Prisons.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida, remarked on X, “Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving her sentence for trafficking. At the request of Attorney General Bondi and the House Oversight Committee, we look forward to hearing what she has to share with the American people.” Luna added, “Her safety is a top priority at this time,” warning that “any suspicious activity or threats to her well-being will be thoroughly investigated.”

While supporters frame the move as a push for long-awaited transparency, critics question the timing and motives. Investigative journalist Whitney Webb voiced deep skepticism, saying on X, “Ghislaine will do anything to negotiate her release and/or prevent her from being harmed in prison if she believes her life is in danger.” Webb argued the move could serve as a tool to avoid releasing the full Epstein records, suggesting Maxwell may only name individuals she’s “told to,” and even floated the idea that this could lead to a “Pardon Ghislaine” campaign backed by political operatives.

The DOJ insists the renewed scrutiny is rooted in public interest. Bondi and Blanche also recently filed a motion in Florida court to unseal specific Epstein grand jury transcripts. The court, however, requested more detailed justifications and statements from victims before proceeding.