Former Attorney General Pam Bondi told House lawmakers that convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell should remain behind bars for the rest of her life, according to comments described after Bondi’s closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee.
Bondi appeared before the committee for a transcribed interview as lawmakers continue reviewing the Justice Department’s handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
After the interview, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said Bondi told lawmakers that Maxwell should not receive a presidential pardon or have her sentence commuted.
Bondi also reportedly said Maxwell should die in prison.
TRENDING TODAY
Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year federal sentence after being convicted in 2021 on charges including sex trafficking conspiracy and trafficking of a minor.
She was accused of helping Epstein recruit and exploit underage victims.
Epstein died in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
The House Oversight Committee has continued pressing for answers about the government’s handling of Epstein-related files and whether the public has received full transparency.
Bondi has defended the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files, saying the Justice Department reviewed and released millions of pages of material.
She has also said the department remains prepared to review any evidence of criminal activity tied to Epstein or his associates.
Maxwell previously invoked her Fifth Amendment rights during a deposition before the committee.
Her attorney has said Maxwell would be willing to speak more fully if granted clemency by President Donald Trump.
White House officials have repeatedly denied that clemency for Maxwell is under consideration.
Trump has previously avoided giving a firm answer when asked about the issue, saying at different points that he had not thought about it or that he would speak to the Justice Department.
Bondi’s remarks appear aimed at shutting down any speculation that Maxwell should receive leniency in exchange for testimony.
The Supreme Court recently rejected Maxwell’s appeal of her conviction, leaving her sentence in place.
The controversy surrounding Maxwell remains politically sensitive because of Epstein’s wide circle of wealthy and powerful associates.
For lawmakers, the fight now centers on transparency, accountability and whether more information from the Epstein files should be made public.
For Bondi, the message to lawmakers was clear: Maxwell should not be pardoned, should not receive a commutation and should remain in prison.
Why It Matters
Maxwell remains one of the central figures in the Epstein scandal, and any suggestion of clemency would trigger major political backlash. Bondi’s comments signal that at least some Trump-aligned legal officials want to close the door on any pardon or sentence reduction.
What Comes Next
House investigators are expected to continue reviewing Epstein-related records and testimony. Maxwell’s legal options have narrowed after the Supreme Court rejected her appeal, but lawmakers may still seek additional information about Epstein’s network and the DOJ’s handling of the case.
Bondi reportedly told lawmakers that Ghislaine Maxwell should not receive clemency and should remain in prison for life.
Former AG Pam Bondi tells lawmakers Ghislaine Maxwell should ‘die in prison’ https://t.co/jSmWQNkFPk pic.twitter.com/OtFN2djnau
— New York Post (@nypost) May 29, 2026
