The US Senate voted unanimously on Wednesday to oppose any presidential pardon or clemency for Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted sex offender and associate of Jeffrey Epstein. Resolution Targets Possible Clemency DealSen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) introduced the resolution as President Donald Trump nominated acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to remain in the role. Rosen said the measure was intended to stop Blanche from granting Maxwell clemency in exchange for help in clearing Trump’s name, allegations Trump has denied as being linked to Epstein. Maxwell was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison for facilitating Epstein’s crimes. Rosen said it was unacceptable for Trump to entertain clemency for Maxwell, describing the idea as particularly troubling for a convicted sex trafficker. Unanimous Consent on The Senate FloorRosen asked for unanimous consent for the resolution. There was no opposition on the Senate floor, meaning the chamber formally agreed to it without a recorded vote. She added that if Republicans move Blanche’s nomination forward in the Judiciary Committee the next day, it would be the minimum they could do to make clear that they oppose any pardon for Maxwell. Non-Binding Vote With Cross-Party ImpactThe resolution is not legally binding, but it sends a message to the Trump administration and the public that senators from both parties reject any form of clemency for Maxwell. Rosen and fellow Democrats framed the vote as a way to ensure Congress’s position is understood before any clemency action is considered. The move also reflects Democrats’ efforts to hold Blanche accountable for how he handled the Epstein files while serving as deputy attorney general. Blanche has said he will not recommend a pardon for Maxwell. Trump, however, has not ruled out clemency, and Maxwell’s lawyer has said she will continue seeking it. Blanche’s Interview and Prison TransferBlanche interviewed Maxwell for two days last summer and produced written testimony that Maxwell provided. In that material, Maxwell said she had never seen Trump engage in improper conduct. Shortly afterward, Maxwell was moved to a lower-security prison facility. Blanche has defended the transfer. Join the discussion? 30 July 2026
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