US Senate unanimously opposes pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell in Trump rebuke

The US senate has unanimously struck down the pardon chances of Jeffrey Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.On Thursday, the resolution opposing any future pardon of Maxwell was ushered in by both Republicans and Democrats — drawing yet another symbolic divide between Donald Trump, his party, and the president's own Epstein ties.While the motion is largely symbolic, here's what it could mean.What was the vote?The resolution was introduced by Nevada Democrat Senator Jacky Rosen, who first brought it forward in February.By voting it in, the Senate agreed "Ghislaine Maxwell should not be granted a Presidential pardon or any form of clemency" for her sexual abuse and co-offending with Epstein.The politician agreed that a pardon or clemency would be "inconsistent with the interests of justice and accountability for crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children".The resolution also denounced any attempt by Mr Trump to usher in "any other form of executive clemency" to Maxwell."I hope the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell feel some comfort knowing that she will serve out her sentence," Senator Rosen said on X after the vote."And that other victims of crimes like this know that they can be seen and heard, and that justice will be upheld."While the resolution will be non-binding, Senator Rosen had earlier said she hoped it would put the Senate "on the record" of opposing any clemency.Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein courted a world of influence, including figures such as Bill Clinton. (Supplied: House Oversight Committee Democrats)Has Trump promised Maxwell a pardon?No, but he also hasn't ruled one out.Since the Epstein files saga began last year, Maxwell has also reignited her clemency battle.In February, Maxwell was due to testify under oath before the congressional committee investigating the federal government's handling of the Epstein files, but instead pleaded her Fifth Amendment rights which allow citizens to decline to speak to authorities.She would speak, however, if granted clemency.Previously, her lawyers pushed the US Supreme Court to overturn her sentence on the basis that Epstein's plea deal should have protected her.And when Donald Trump was asked about a pardon in October, he said he'd "take a look at it"."I wouldn't consider it or not consider it. I don't know anything about it. I will speak to the DOJ," he said.Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche later interviewed Maxwell, producing written testimony in which Maxwell said she had never seen Mr Trump engage in improper conduct. Puppies, toilet paper and custom-made meals were the allegations of preferential prison treatment Ghislaine Maxwell has received. (Supplied: US Attorney's Office SDNY)Following that, Maxwell was moved into a lower-security prison in Texas with whistleblower reports claiming she had access to custom-made meals, a puppy and as much toilet paper as she wanted.In light of these reports, staff from the House oversight and judiciary committees visited Maxwell's Texas prison on mid-June.Those who visited accused Mr Blanche's Bureau of Prisons (BOP) of shutting down lines of basic questioning."The American people are tired of seeing the Trump Administration pamper a sex trafficker and obstruct Congress's investigation into Attorney General Blanche's role in ensuring Ms Maxwell remains comfortable and quiet," a joint statement read after that visit.What did Ghislaine Maxwell do?Victims of Maxwell consider the UK-born socialite's abuse just as insidious as Epstein's.They say she lured them as young women into Epstein's orbit, trained them in sexual acts and, as attorney Brad Edwards described, "fed a monster".After Epstein's death in 2019, following his New York arrest on sex trafficking charges, Maxwell was charged with numerous counts of trafficking young women and participating in abuse."She pretended to be a woman they could trust," Manhattan attorney Audrey Strauss said a day after her arrest."All the while she was setting them up to be sexually abused by Epstein and, in some cases, by Maxwell herself."After a month-long trial in 2021 she was convicted of sex trafficking, conspiracy, and transportation of a minor for illegal sexual activity.In 2022, at age 60, Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison.Ghislaine Maxwell heard from her victims during her 2021 New York trial. (Reuters: Jane Rosenberg)Where does MAGA stand on the Epstein files?The vote is also notable for its unanimous nature.Rarely does the US Senate vote in a bipartisan matter, excluding its similar decision to denounce clemency for FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried.More importantly, it proves another Republican rebuke of Mr Trump and his close ties to Epstein.The president's links to the sex offender are well-known by now.He was friends with Epstein for at least 15 years, calling him a "terrific guy" and a "lot of fun to be with".One of Epstein's key accusers, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, said she was recruited by Maxwell while working at Mar-a-Lago, Mr Trump's members-only club.As furore of the Epstein files has grown, Mr Trump has sought to distance himself from the disgraced financier.The president has said he was not aware of Epstein's activities and said he broke off their friendship before Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges of soliciting a minor for prostitution.Still, prominent supporters have repeatedly accused his administration of a cover-up and former MAGA allies such as Majorie Taylor Greene have broken ranks over the issue.Most recently, the bill to release the Epstein files, which survivors had championed for so long, won almost unanimous support in the US House of Representatives.It also reflected a desire to hold Todd Blanche accountable for his handling of the Epstein files as deputy attorney general as he faced a confirmation hearing to become US attorney general.