U.S. Representative James Comer (R-KY), arrives for a House Oversight Committee closed-door video deposition of Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted and jailed associate of the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 9, 2026. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura
MAGA Rep. James Comer (R-KY), who leads the House Oversight Committee, balked on Monday after being confronted by a reporter over a request from convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein's accomplice to testify publicly if she is granted clemency first.
Journalist Eric Garcia with the MeidasTouch Network asked Comer whether he supported Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell's attempt to secure clemency from President Donald Trump before publicly testifying about her knowledge and involvement in Epstein's crimes. The exchange occurred after Maxwell and her attorneys invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a closed-door video deposition on Monday.
"What are your thoughts about Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyers saying she needs clemency before she testifies?" Garcia asked Comer as he exited the committee room.
Comer had a bemused look on his face as he concocted an answer.
"Well, I don't know," Comer began. "Initially, she said a month ago that she would testify if we granted her immunity on the Oversight Committee. We discussed that, and met with the survivors, and they didn't support that, so we never considered it."
"This was something new today," Comer added. "Obviously, that's not something for me to decide. That's for the president to decide."
.@EricMGarcia: What are your thoughts on Ghislaine Maxwell’s lawyer saying she needs clemency to testify?
Comer: That’s not for me to decide. That’s for the president to decide. pic.twitter.com/N7URuuZ5k8
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 9, 2026