US justice department plans to question Ghislaine Maxwell, a close associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, amid growing political pressure on the Trump administration over its handling of the case. Maxwell, a former British socialite, is currently serving a 20-year sentence for trafficking minors for Epstein. Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial in a New York jail. His death was ruled a suicide. US deputy attorney general Todd Blanche said on Tuesday that president Donald Trump had ordered the release of all “credible evidence” related to the Epstein case. Blanche said that the FBI had reviewed the available material and found no grounds to investigate any uncharged individuals so far. However, he added that if Maxwell had information about others involved in crimes, the FBI and the department of justice were ready to listen.

Blanche also confirmed that he was in contact with Maxwell’s legal team and expected to meet her soon. Maxwell’s lawyer, David Oscar Markus, said on X that discussions with the government were ongoing. “Ghislaine will always testify truthfully,” he said, adding that they appreciate Trump’s “commitment to uncovering the truth.” The issue has caused rifts within Trump’s political base, some of whom are demanding that all Epstein-related files be made public. The controversy escalated last week after The Wall Street Journal published a report on Trump’s ties to Epstein. In response, Trump filed a lawsuit against media mogul Rupert Murdoch and the newspaper.Maxwell is considered one of the few people who could reveal the secrets of Epstein. Like Epstein’s brother Mark Epstein, Maxwell also believed that Epstein did not commit suicide and was murdered. She lost her appeals against her conviction so far.