Blanche says he won't recommend pardoning Maxwell

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Roll Call

Posted May 19, 2026 at 5:34pm


Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told lawmakers Tuesday he would not recommend a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a federal prison sentence for her role in a sex trafficking scheme involving deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The head of the Justice Department made the remark during a budget hearing on Capitol Hill under questioning from Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Subcommittee. “I can commit to that, of course,” Blanche said.

Trump, as president, ultimately holds the power to pardon Maxwell. A judge in 2022 sentenced Maxwell to 20 years in prison for her part in a scheme involving the sexual exploitation and abuse of minor girls, according to the Justice Department.

The Justice Department’s treatment of Maxwell while in custody has sparked concern from House Democrats.

Read more: https://rollcall.com/2026/05/19/blanche-says-he-wont-recommend-pardoning-maxwell/

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It's not his decision.

[Buddyzbuddy]

1. Maxwell's pardon in 5,4,3....

[AZJonnie]

2. I get the joke you're making, but in reality I see no logical reason Trump would pardon Maxwell

He's got her exactly where he wants her, which is beholden to his largesse. She gets out of line, he snaps his fingers and she's in a supermax. Plus he has way more control over her communications from a prison than if she's walking around. Plus the world at large takes words from people in prison less seriously, unless they're like MLK.

Conversely, what's the benefit to him to let her go free? Not even his cultists will be a fan of THAT move.

Help me understand what I'm missing, if I indeed am?

[Buddyzbuddy]

3. Ah, I see your first mistake. You assume he's using logic.

To start, I don't feel strongly about it at all. If logic had any part in the decision making he and Blanche would have left that filth in the hole she was in to begin with. Right now, they're at a stalemate. She has information, not just of the Felon but also those that he's keeping in his back pocket.

Blanche "interviewed" her not only to see what information she has but also the proof. Also, they want to know if she has a fail-safe in place in the event of her untimely death which I would be willing to bet, she does. Otherwise, why hasn't she met with her demise. And why would they have made the change of her housing and rewarded her? They knew there would be backlash and not just from Democrats. The only logic in that is she's a threat.

[mpcamb]

4. The key to that phrasing, "won't RECOMMEND."

...but will run like a scared puppy to hide from reporters when in happens.

[chelsea0011]

5. Trump will pardon her right after election

to get her out of the country. And fuck Blanche.

[orangecrush]

6. Sure, Jan

[mzmolly]

7. Why would he have to recommend it?