U.S. Senate urges Trump not to pardon Ghislaine Maxwell

08/02/2026 / By Garrison Vance

The U.S. Senate approved without objection a resolution on Wednesday urging President Donald Trump not to pardon Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted sex trafficker linked to Jeffrey Epstein, according to lawmakers and a copy of the measure. The resolution, introduced by Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), states that Maxwell should not receive a pardon, commutation, or any other form of executive clemency [1].

The measure cannot bind the president, but it delivers a rare bipartisan warning as Maxwell seeks clemency and the Justice Department faces renewed scrutiny over its handling of Epstein’s longtime associate, The New American reported [2].

Senate Urges Against Clemency

Rosen said it was “horrifying” that Trump had even entertained the possibility of clemency for Maxwell, who helped Epstein recruit and abuse underage girls, according to RT [1]. The resolution passed without objection from either party, according to the report.

Maxwell’s legal team has demanded presidential clemency in exchange for cooperation, according to a February 2026 report from NaturalNews.com. In a closed-door House Oversight Committee deposition, Maxwell invoked the Fifth Amendment and refused to answer questions about Epstein’s sex-trafficking network [3].

Maxwell’s Conviction and Sentence

Maxwell, daughter of late British newspaper publisher Robert Maxwell, is serving a 20-year federal prison sentence after a 2021 conviction on sex trafficking and related offenses, according to RT [1]. FBI documents describe her as the woman Epstein was dating when he first attracted notice in the early 1990s [4].

According to one account, Virginia Roberts, an Epstein accuser, said Maxwell contacted her in 2007 while she was pregnant with her second child [5]. A lawsuit filed by Epstein victim Jennifer Araoz alleged that “Maxwell participated with and assisted Epstein in maintaining and protecting his sex trafficking ring, ensuring that approximately three girls a day were made available to him” [5].

Trump’s Position on Pardon

Trump has repeatedly declined to categorically rule out a pardon. Asked about the possibility last year, he said he had the authority to issue one but that nobody had approached him with a request. After the Supreme Court refused to hear Maxwell’s appeal in October 2025, he said he would consult the Justice Department, according to RT [6].

In a video clip recorded in November 2025, Trump said “I haven’t thought about it” when asked whether he would pardon Maxwell [7]. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) said in April 2026 that the “votes aren’t there” for a Maxwell pardon and that she was “not getting” one, Just the News reported [8].

Justice Department Interview

Todd Blanche, then deputy attorney general and now Trump’s nominee for attorney general, interviewed Maxwell for about nine hours over two days as part of the Justice Department’s Epstein investigation. Maxwell was granted limited immunity and was transferred to a lower-security federal prison shortly afterward; her lawyer denied that she had sought anything in return for cooperating, according to RT [6].

Blanche has said the Department of Justice would not recommend that Trump grant a pardon to Maxwell, Just the News reported in May 2026 [9].

Epstein Files and Social Ties

The Senate action followed criticism over the Trump administration’s release of Epstein files. The disclosure process has faced criticism over delays, extensive redactions, and the absence of major new prosecutions, according to The New American [2].

Trump and Maxwell moved in the same social circles in New York and Florida during the 1990s and early 2000s, when Trump was also acquainted with Epstein, according to RT [6]. After Maxwell’s arrest in 2020, Trump said, “I just wish her well, frankly.” He has denied wrongdoing connected to Epstein and said he ended his relationship with the financier years before Epstein’s 2019 arrest. Maxwell later told Justice Department officials she never witnessed Trump behaving inappropriately, according to RT [6].

Conclusion

The Senate resolution is symbolic; the Constitution gives the president pardon power, and the measure does not require Trump to act. Still, the public statements from senators, the Justice Department, and at least one House Republican indicate broad institutional opposition to clemency for Maxwell [9][8][2].

It remains unclear whether Trump will grant a pardon. The continued controversy over the Epstein files and Maxwell’s offer to cooperate under conditions has kept the question before Congress and the public, according to available reports [3][2].

References

“Senate warns Trump against pardoning Epstein-linked sex trafficker”. July 30, 2026.
The New American. “Senate Unites Against Presidential Clemency for Ghislaine Maxwell”. July 30, 2026.
Ramon Tomey. “Ghislaine Maxwell Pleads the Fifth During House Oversight Committee Testimony”. NaturalNews.com. February 11, 2026.
U.S. Department of Justice. “FBI Documents Jeffrey Epstein”. January 30, 2026.
“Greenlights”.
“US Senate warns Trump against pardoning Epstein-linked sex trafficker”. July 31, 2026.
Brighteon.com. “?? Trump asked again if he’ll pardon Ghislaine Maxwell – Nov 14th, clip 3”. November 15, 2025.
Just the News. “GOP’s Luna: Ghislaine Maxwell won’t get a pardon”. April 24, 2026.
Just the News. “Blanche commits to DOJ not recommending Ghislaine Maxwell pardon”. May 19, 2026.