Senate unanimously passes resolution opposing pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell

Longtime Epstein associate serving 20-year sentence for sex-trafficking crimes has exhausted series of appeals The US Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution declaring its opposition to any presidential pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime Jeffrey Epstein associate who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex-trafficking crimes.Introduced by Senator Jacky Rosen, a Democrat of Nevada, the resolution states that Maxwell “should not be granted a Presidential pardon or any form of clemency for her crimes with Jeffrey Epstein relating to the sexual exploitation and abuse of minors”. The Senate unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday declaring that Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted sex trafficker who aided Jeffrey Epstein's abuse of underage girls, should never receive a presidential pardon.Why it matters: Democrats wanted to put every Republican senator on record as opposed to a potential pardon. Jacky Rosen's resolution, Republicans agreed that the president "should not grant a pardon, commutation, or any other form of executive clemency to Ghislaine Maxwell," according to the resolution."The Senate stands with the victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking and affirms its commitment to justice, accountability, and the protection of children."Senate resolutions like these are symbolic and non-binding.

Last week, the Senate passed a similar resolution about any pardon or clemency for FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried.Zoom out: President Trump has never categorically ruled out a pardon for Maxwell, but he has not given any indication that he plans to issue one.After the Supreme Court declined to hear Maxwell's appeal in October 2025, Trump was pressed on a potential pardon. I wouldn't consider it or not consider it. Zoom in: In May, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told senators that he would not recommend a pardon.Blanche personally interviewed Maxwell last year as part of the Justice Department's Epstein investigation, fueling speculation the administration might offer clemency in exchange for cooperation.