Trump officially rebuked on Ghislaine Maxwell pardon before he does it
Updated . First published at
In a warning shot aimed at Donald Trump, the US Senate has voted unanimously to oppose a pardon for convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.
The vote to oppose a pardon or clemency for Maxwell is a preemptive rebuke of the US president, who has refused to rule out a move freeing his friend from prison.
Ghislaine Maxwell and Donald Trump at a party in 1997. Getty
Maxwell was jailed for 20 years for facilitating the abuse of girls and young women at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein.
But the Trump administration moved Maxwell to a minimum-security prison camp known for the perks extended to its inmates.
The unanimous vote on Wednesday signalled to Trump that any further moves to benefit Maxwell would not be tolerated.
The resolution was put forward by Democratic Senator Sandy Rosen.
“There was a serious discussion at the White House to pardon or reduce the sentence of Ghislaine Maxwell, in order to get her to say nice things about Donald Trump,” Rosen said.
“Mind you, this is the same woman, the same woman who facilitated Jeffrey Epstein’s horrific abuse of underage girls over many years, year after year, hundreds of young women.”
The resolution is non-binding and presidents can pardon anybody of any federal crimes.
Donald Trump and future wife Melania, Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell at the Mar-a-Lago club, in 2000. Getty
Trump has refused to rule out pardoning Maxwell, who he had a friendship with for several decades.
“I’m allowed to do it,” Trump said when asked.
“I’ll take a look at it. I’ll speak to the (Department of Justice).”
Rosen drew attention to how assistant attorney-general Todd Blanche personally interviewed Maxwell in prison, then had her transferred days later.
A whistleblower told Congress that Maxwell had her meals customised and personally delivered to her cell by federal employees. She was allowed access to the exercise yard after hours, and given a puppy to play with.
“It’s frankly horrifying that Trump would entertain the idea of clemency even for a second,” Rosen said.
“Even a second for a convicted sex trafficker.
“There should never be a pardon for someone who helped a monster abuse underage girls for years.”
The Senate will vote to confirm Blanche as attorney-general later this week.
Donald Trump with his now-wife Melania, and friend Ghislaine Maxwell in 2000. Getty
It is not yet apparent if Blanche has enough support in the Senate to be confirmed. Several Republicans remain publicly on the fence ahead of the vote.
Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein are now leading a push to deny Blanche confirmation.
Maxwell’s lawyer David Oscar Markus said in February she would speak freely about what she knew about Epstein’s crimes, under one condition.
“Ms Maxwell is prepared to speak fully and honestly if granted clemency by President Trump,” Markus said.
“Some may not like what they hear, but the truth matters.”
Markus said she would exonerate Trump if she were set free from prison.
“For example, both President Trump and President Clinton are innocent of any wrongdoing,” he said.
“Ms Maxwell alone can explain why, and the public is entitled to that explanation.”
That the vote passed unanimously is a clear signal that Republicans will not back Trump on the Epstein issue.
Even among his most diehard supporters, Trump’s handling of the case is unpopular.
Meanwhile, a former ardent Trump supporter and prominent commentator has called for the president to be impeached.
Alex Jones on his Infowars radio show. Infowars
Alex Jones, the former owner of InfoWars, says he wants Trump out of office over the Iran conflict.
“I’m calling for it right now: 25th Amendment, impeachment, whatever needs to happen to get this front and centre, to get control of our country,” Jones said.
Jones said Trump intended to bring back conscription ahead of a wider war with Iran.
Jones is a well-known conspiracy theorist, but his push for an impeachment is an indication that even the far-right fringes of the Republican Party are cooling on Trump.
A new poll released today showed 35 per cent of Americans approved of Trump and 65 per cent disapproved.
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