NEWYou now have the option to listen to articles from Fox News!
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., expressed on Sunday that Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein, should receive a life sentence, dismissing the idea of a potential pardon for the convicted sex trafficker.
During an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Johnson was asked about his stance on a pardon for Maxwell. He responded by highlighting that the final decision rests with President Donald Trump.
“I believe that 20 years was insufficient,” Johnson remarked regarding Maxwell’s time in prison. “I think she deserves a life sentence, at the very least. The magnitude of these unspeakable crimes is unimaginable.”
“It’s difficult to articulate the level of evilness involved in this and the fact that she orchestrated it and played a significant role in it, at least under criminal law, is an unforgivable act,” Johnson continued, acknowledging that federal prosecutors had identified more than 1,000 victims, many of whom were minors. “So, while it’s not my decision to make, I have serious concerns about this, as any reasonable person would.”
GHISLAINE MAXWELL SUBPOENAED BY HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AMID EPSTEIN FILES PUSH
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks to members of the media outside the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on July 23, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
As he was leaving the White House on Friday en route to Scotland, Trump was asked whether he had considered pardoning or granting clemency to Maxwell. The president left the possibility open, stating, “I have the authority to do so, but it’s not something I have thought about.”
Johnson expressed his support for the stance of the president, the FBI, and the Justice Department, advocating for the release of “all credible evidence and information,” while emphasizing the need to safeguard the identities of the victims. Maxwell was questioned by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche at a federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida, for two consecutive days last week. Her attorney informed the media that she provided information on approximately 100 potential associates of Epstein as she seeks clemency.
“The decision regarding a potential pardon lies with the president,” Johnson stated. “He mentioned that he had not given it sufficient consideration. I will not preempt his decision. My responsibility is to help oversee and manage the House of Representatives and utilize all available tools to uncover the truth. I want to make this abundantly clear – we are in favor of complete disclosure. We demand transparency. I have faith in the American people. House Republicans and I believe that they should have access to all this information to form their own judgments. However, we must safeguard the innocent, and that is a responsibility we must diligently uphold.”

Acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York points to a photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell during a news conference on July 2, 2020. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
JEFFREY EPSTEIN CASE REOPENS FOCUS ON GHISLAINE MAXWELL AS DEPUTY AG STEPS IN
Johnson criticized a petition brought by Reps. Thomas Massie, R-W.Va., and Ro Khanna, D-Penn., calling for the release of all Epstein files as “reckless” and poorly drafted. He argued that the petition disregarded federal regulations protecting grand jury materials and “would necessitate the DOJ and FBI to disclose information that they know to be false, based on lies and rumors, and lacking credibility to be admitted into court proceedings.”
The speaker remarked that the petition lacked protections for minor victims who had been subjected to “unspeakable crimes, sheer evil” and were at risk of having their identities exposed. Johnson stated that Massie and Khanna “claim that they oppose the disclosure of child abuse and sexual abuse information, but they cite the wrong section of the federal code, making it unfeasible.” He contended that House Rules Committee Republicans are committed to developing a more well-structured approach that prioritizes protecting the innocent.

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., arrives for the House Republican Conference caucus meeting in the Capitol on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
When questioned about a potential pardon for Maxwell, Massie informed NBC’s Kristen Welker during the program that “the decision rests with the president, but if she possesses information that could be beneficial, I believe she should testify.”
“Let’s bring that information to light, and whatever steps are necessary to compel her testimony, as long as it is truthful, I am in favor of,” Massie stated.
Khanna expressed his opposition to commuting Maxwell’s sentence and raised concerns about Blanche meeting with her. He concurred with Massie that Maxwell should testify but highlighted that she had been indicted twice for perjury.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“This underscores the need for the files. This is why we need independent evidence,” Khanna emphasized.
Danielle Wallace is a breaking news and politics reporter at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on X: @danimwallace.