WASHINGTON (BN24) — The U.S. Justice Department has asked Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, to meet with federal prosecutors, amid renewed political pressure to unseal records and revisit allegations tied to Epstein’s sex-trafficking network. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed Tuesday that he expects to speak with Maxwell “in the coming days.”
The request marks a significant development in a case that continues to shadow public institutions and political figures years after Epstein’s 2019 death in federal custody, which was ruled a suicide. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence following her 2021 conviction for sex trafficking underage girls to Epstein.
Blanche’s announcement came as Attorney General Pam Bondi faces mounting criticism from President Donald Trump’s supporters, who have demanded the release of additional case materials, including client names and flight records linked to Epstein’s alleged criminal enterprise. The renewed attention follows earlier promises by Bondi to provide “a lot of names” and full transparency—promises that critics say have not yet been met.
“President Trump has told us to release all credible evidence,” Blanche posted on X, formerly Twitter. He said if Maxwell “has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say.”
Blanche also noted that he had been in communication with Maxwell’s attorneys to determine her willingness to cooperate. Maxwell’s lawyer, David Oscar Markus, confirmed discussions were underway. “Ghislaine will always testify truthfully,” Markus said, adding, “We are grateful to President Trump for his commitment to uncovering the truth in this case.”
Trump himself weighed in during remarks in the Oval Office, saying it would be “appropriate” for the Justice Department to interview Maxwell, who did not testify during her trial and is appealing her conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Also on Tuesday, two federal judges in Manhattan ordered the Justice Department to submit detailed legal arguments by July 29 in support of its bid to unseal grand jury transcripts and other sealed documents from both the Epstein and Maxwell cases. U.S. District Judges Richard Berman and Paul Engelmayer instructed Maxwell, representatives for Epstein’s estate, and alleged victims to submit their positions on the proposed disclosures by August 5.
The Justice Department’s move comes after it released only a limited set of records earlier this year, which critics say revealed little new information. The DOJ and FBI also issued a joint memo this month dismissing longstanding conspiracy theories, stating there is “no incriminating client list” or proof of blackmail involving Epstein’s associates.
Still, some Trump allies have urged the administration to go further. Alan Dershowitz, Epstein’s former defense attorney, said during an appearance on Fox News Sunday that Maxwell should be granted immunity in exchange for testifying before Congress. He also urged the release of FBI interview reports from Epstein’s victims, arguing those files might offer more insight than the grand jury material.
Despite growing demands from Trump’s political base, legal experts caution that unsealed grand jury transcripts are unlikely to contain evidence directly implicating high-profile individuals, due to the nature of such proceedings and their limited focus.
Nonetheless, the Justice Department’s decision to re-engage with Maxwell underscores the political weight the Epstein case continues to carry, particularly in an election year where transparency and institutional accountability are dominating political discourse.
