On Wednesday, July 29th, 2026, the US Senate unanimously passed a resolution opposing any presidential pardon or clemency for Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex-trafficking crimes involving the sexual exploitation and abuse of minors.

The resolution, introduced by Senator Jacky Rosen, a Democrat from Nevada, 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.” Although such Senate resolutions are non-binding and symbolic, Rosen’s office explained in a February news release that the measure was intended to formally record Senate opposition to the prospect of former President Donald Trump granting Maxwell clemency.

Rosen condemned the idea of clemency, saying in a floor speech, “It’s frankly horrifying that Trump would entertain the idea of clemency for even a second for a convicted sex trafficker.” She added that the unanimous passage sent a clear message to the White House and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche that “there should be NO special treatment for Ghislaine Maxwell.”

The resolution passed without objection as the Senate considered Trump’s nomination of Blanche to remain permanently as attorney general. Blanche had previously told lawmakers in May that he would not recommend a pardon for Maxwell.

Earlier this year, in February, Maxwell appeared via video for a congressional deposition before the House committee on oversight and government reform as part of its investigation into Epstein but invoked her Fifth Amendment right and declined to answer questions. Maxwell’s transfer from a federal prison in Florida to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas last year was described by experts as “unprecedented.”

Sources