Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said he will not recommend a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking from her work with Jeffrey Epstein.
“I can commit to that,” he told senators Tuesday.
He also said he’s willing to meet with Epstein victims, and indeed has met with their representatives before.
“We absolutely want to hear from them and their lawyers,” he said.
Mr. Blanche took over as head of the Justice Department from Pam Bondi, who was fired from the post in part because of her handling of the release of DOJ files related to Epstein. During her last appearances on Capitol Hill, she declined to apologize to victims for her department releasing their identifying information as part of the files.
Democrats have suggested Maxwell is getting cushy treatment behind bars, and they fear it’s a prelude to a pardon from President Trump. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Maryland Democrat, challenged Mr. Blanche over the issue during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing.
The pardon power belongs to the president, though the Justice Department traditionally makes recommendations and vets options.
