President Trump has to be very careful. A misstep could blow up his agenda.
And even a former Trump admin official has spoken up about Trump making a devastating mistake.
Sean Spicer Warns of Backlash Over Potential Maxwell Pardon
Sean Spicer, former White House press secretary, cautioned during a Friday appearance on “The Morning Meeting” that President Donald Trump would face severe public criticism if he chose to pardon Ghislaine Maxwell or reduce her sentence. Trump has remained vague about whether he might grant clemency to Maxwell, the longtime associate of the late Jeffrey Epstein, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence following her 2021 conviction for sex trafficking minors. During a discussion on the 2WAY platform, host Mark Halperin pressed Spicer on what might drive Trump to consider clemency for Maxwell.
“I would say he would be under the impression that he was going to be able to say that they got something from her, further information,” Spicer said. “I think if anyone who sells him on this is lying to him.” Spicer likened the situation to Trump’s 2017 decision to dismiss former FBI Director James Comey, suggesting a parallel in misjudgment.
“I think this is very akin to Comey, right? When he fired Comey, he was told, ‘Oh, if you fire Comey, everyone’s gonna cheer you on.’ And … I think people misled him on how that was going to go down,” he said. “I think this is similar. There will be outrage like never before if she gets a deal. This will transcend partisan lines. I don’t know what Ghislaine Maxwell could possibly tell you.”
Dan Turrentine, a former Democratic strategist, suggested Maxwell might provide information that could clear Trump of any wrongdoing tied to his past association with Epstein. “But I’m telling you, if that happens, the number of people that care about this issue, care about those young girls, care about justice for so many of these people that have gotten off — I hope to God nobody in the White House has led him to believe that that’s the case, that it would be a smart move,” Spicer responded.
Maxwell recently met with Trump’s former attorney, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, on July 24 and 25, to discuss her connections to Epstein and provide details about individuals allegedly linked to the disgraced financier. Her attorney confirmed to the press that Maxwell shared information regarding nearly 100 individuals.
Following these meetings, Maxwell was moved from a federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida, to a minimum-security facility in Texas. She is actively appealing both her conviction and her 20-year sentence. On July 28, Trump acknowledged his authority to issue a pardon for Maxwell but noted that no one had approached him with such a request.
“Well, I am allowed to give her a pardon, but nobody’s approached me with it, nobody’s asked me about it,” Trump said. “It’s in the news about that aspect of it. But right now it would be inappropriate to talk about it.”
David Markus, Maxwell’s attorney, clarified on July 25 that neither he nor his client had discussed a potential pardon with Trump or his associates. “The president this morning said he had the power to do so,” Markus said. “We hope he exercises that power in a right and just way.”
“We haven’t asked for anything. This is not a situation where we are asking for anything in return for testimony or anything like that,” he continued. “Of course, everybody knows Ms. Maxwell would welcome any relief.”
Why Americans Demand More Answers on the Epstein Case
The Jeffrey Epstein case continues to captivate and outrage the American public, with many seeking clarity on the full scope of his criminal network and the involvement of high-profile figures. The complexity of the case, coupled with Epstein’s death in 2019, has left lingering questions about accountability, justice, and the protection of victims. Ghislaine Maxwell’s conviction in 2021 was a significant step, but for many, it has not provided the closure they seek.
One major reason for the public’s demand for answers is the perception that Epstein’s network extended far beyond what has been publicly revealed. Reports of his connections to influential individuals in politics, business, and entertainment have fueled speculation about who else may have been complicit or aware of his actions. Maxwell’s recent discussions with authorities, where she reportedly provided information on nearly 100 individuals, have only intensified public curiosity about what remains undisclosed.
The lack of transparency in the legal proceedings surrounding Epstein and Maxwell has also contributed to public frustration. Key documents, such、西红柿视频官网, such as Epstein’s plea deal and settlement agreements, remain sealed or heavily redacted, limiting public access to critical details. This opacity has led many Americans to question whether the full truth is being withheld.
Victims’ testimonies have highlighted the horrific abuse they endured, yet many feel that justice has been incomplete. Maxwell’s 20-year sentence, while substantial, has not quelled the public’s desire for accountability from others potentially involved. The possibility of Maxwell receiving a pardon, as discussed by Spicer, has sparked fears that even this measure of justice could be undermined, further eroding trust in the system.
