In a rare display of bipartisan resolve, the House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee has voted to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell, the incarcerated associate of Jeffrey Epstein, marking a major escalation in Congress’s renewed push to expose the full extent of Epstein’s criminal network. The decision, led by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), comes amid mounting pressure from both sides of the aisle to unearth what has long been hidden — and to ensure that no one connected to the case is above scrutiny.
The vote, passed by voice and without recorded opposition, signals a rare moment of unity in a deeply divided chamber. Democrats and Republicans alike have called for full transparency around Epstein’s trafficking network, his high-profile connections, and the suppressed files that many believe contain explosive information about global elites.
“This is progress,” House Oversight Democrats wrote in a post on X. “We will not stop fighting until the Epstein files are released. Trump and Bondi must stop blocking the American people from the truth.”
The bipartisan support follows weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations. Burchett had sent a formal request to Oversight Chairman James Comer, urging him to authorize the subpoena. Comer agreed, directing Burchett to bring the matter to a vote — which swiftly passed.
Now, the Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, is working closely with the Bureau of Prisons and Maxwell’s legal team to coordinate the logistics of her testimony. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year federal sentence for sex trafficking and related charges tied to Epstein’s decades-long operation.
In a statement released Tuesday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed that the DOJ has formally initiated communication with Maxwell’s lawyers.
“This Department of Justice does not shy away from uncomfortable truths,” Blanche said. “President Trump has told us to release all credible evidence. If Ghislaine Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and DOJ will hear what she has to say.”
While President Trump has expressed general support for transparency, he has also urged caution among Republicans, warning against the potential for partisan misuse and media distortion. This has created subtle but growing tensions within the GOP ranks. Some lawmakers remain hesitant to push too aggressively without explicit coordination with the administration, fearing political blowback or legal complications.
Last week, the House Rules Committee narrowly avoided a vote on a binding resolution to force the release of the full Epstein file. That proposal followed a symbolic resolution passed earlier in the year — one that failed to produce concrete results but succeeded in keeping the issue in public view.
Speaker Mike Johnson addressed the concerns in a statement:
“The Republicans on the Rules Committee… were wrongfully tarred and feathered by people who did not understand what was happening. They were in favor of transparency.”
Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, has since confirmed that his client is open to testifying. “We are in discussions with the government, and Ghislaine will always testify truthfully,” he said. “We are grateful to President Trump for his commitment to uncovering the truth in this case.”
Whether Maxwell’s testimony will lead to names, evidence, or long-sought answers remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the Epstein case — once viewed as a closed chapter — is back in the national spotlight. And this time, Congress is holding the flashlight.
