Speaking to "Meet the Press" on Sunday, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson spoke to NBC News' Kristen Welker. The Speaker indicated that he would be in favor of a harsher sentence for Jeffrey Epstein's factotum Ghislaine Maxwell, but demurred when asked about the possibility of a presidential pardon or commutation. The conversation began with a question about Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche's interview with Ms. Maxwell.
Kristen Welker: Well, it is great to have you. You just heard my conversation with Congressman Massie, Congressman Khanna. So, let me start off with this question. Why did you adjourn the House early? And does it run the risk of feeding the perception that there`s something to hide in the Epstein matter?
The Speaker replied:
Speaker Johnson: Look, these are all important questions. Let me be absolutely clear as we have been from the very beginning. House Republicans insist upon the release of all credible evidence and information related to Epstein in any way. But we are also insisting upon the protection of innocent victims. And our concern is that the Massie and Khanna discharge petition is reckless in the way that it is drafted and presented. It does not adequately include those protections.
The Speaker also corrected Kristen Welker's characterization of the House of Representatives adjourning early:
Speaker Johnson: Look, these are all important questions. Let me be absolutely clear as we have been from the very beginning. House Republicans insist upon the release of all credible evidence and information related to Epstein in any way. But we are also insisting upon the protection of innocent victims. And our concern is that the Massie and Khanna discharge petition is reckless in the way that it is drafted and presented. It does not adequately include those protections.
Then, the conversation turned to Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's confidant:
Kristen Welker: Let me move on to Ghislaine Maxwell. As you know, Mr. Speaker, the Deputy Attorney General spent two days interviewing her. She of course has been convicted of grooming, recruiting, abusing young teenage girls along with Jeffrey Epstein. Mr. Speaker, Maxwell`s attorney said she answered all questions honestly and truthfully. But do you think that Ghislaine Maxwell can be trusted?
That is the $64,000 question, and personally, I'm inclined to say that answer is "no." Ghislaine Maxwell has already been convicted of some very serious crimes, and she will likely resist any forays into admitting to any further abuses.
Here, though, is where Speaker Johnson puts his cards on the table. Kristen Welker tried for a "gotcha," and it blew up in her face:
Kristen Welker: Well, I guess my question is: Are you open to a pardon or commutation? I mean, Mr. Speaker, the victims refer to Maxwell as Epstein`s right-hand woman. Here`s what one victim who testified under a pseudonym told the court at sentencing, quote, "The many acts that were perpetrated on me by Epstein including rape, strangulation and sexual assault were never consensual and would not have occurred had it not been for the cunning and premeditated role Ghislaine Maxwell played." Is that someone deserving of a pardon or commutation in any circumstance, Mr. Speaker?
It's easy to say "no," and most of us probably would - but as Speaker Johnson notes, it's not his call to make.
Speaker Johnson: If you`re asking my opinion, I think 20 years was a pittance. I think she should have a life sentence at least. I mean, think of all these unspeakable crimes. And as you noted earlier, probably 1,000 victims. I mean, you know, this -- this is -- it`s hard to put into words how evil this was. And that she orchestrated it and was a big part of it, at least under -- under the criminal sanction, I think, is an unforgivable thing. So, again, not my decision, but I have great pause about that as -- as any reasonable person would.
Of course, it's not the Speaker of the House of Representatives' place to have any part in any possible commutation or pardon. Only the president can take those actions. Instead, the speaker insists the House of Representatives is taking all due action to protect the privacy of the victims, which seems the right thing to do.
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What's sad about this affair is that so many, particularly (but not exclusively) Democrats, are trying to spin this issue for political advantage. This shouldn't be about that. It shouldn't be about trying to score political points. The focus of any investigation into this matter should be - must be - justice for the victims. That applies no matter whose name is mentioned, no matter who appears in the film or photograph. Their privacy, yes, must be protected. But in the end, evil must be answered for. Justice must be done. And right now, it looks like Ghislaine Maxwell holds a lot of the answers.
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