Ghislaine Maxwell's attorney predicted a strong possibility of a presidential pardon as recent media attention on Jeffrey Epstein lingers. David Oscar Markus told Politico there is "a good chance and for good reason that she would get a pardon." He indicated that Maxwell wants clemency but the timing is not ideal amid ongoing Epstein-related news coverage.

Markus, a Florida lawyer known for high-profile cases, has not yet approached the Trump administration formally about a pardon or commutation. He described Maxwell as a "scapegoat" prosecuted only after Epstein's 2019 death in jail. The attorney suggested waiting until public focus on newly released Epstein files diminishes before pushing forward.

Maxwell was convicted in December 2021 on federal charges including sex trafficking of a minor and conspiracy. She received a 20-year sentence for recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein. Her appeals, including to the Supreme Court, failed, though she has a pending petition citing new evidence of trial unfairness. Currently, she is held at a low-security federal prison camp in Bryan, Texas, transferred last year for safety reasons after threats following a Department of Justice interview.

President Trump has addressed the pardon idea sporadically. In July 2025, he stated, "I’m allowed to do it, but it’s something I have not thought about." By October 2025, after the Supreme Court rejected Maxwell's appeal, Trump said he would "look at" the case and consult the DOJ. In February 2026, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that pardoning Maxwell "is not something he’s considering or thinking about." No recent comments from Trump appear on the matter.

Maxwell has ties to Trump from social circles, once calling him "cordial and kind." She has offered to testify fully before Congress about Epstein in exchange for clemency. Democrats have opposed any relief, with Rep. Jamie Raskin demanding answers in late 2025 over reports of special prison treatment and a commutation application.

Interest in Epstein resurfaced last year when the DOJ resisted releasing additional files, prompting congressional legislation to force disclosure. Maxwell's lawyer confirmed in March that she continues pursuing clemency. As of Friday, no formal request has been filed with the White House.