What we’re covering
• Epstein files: Ghislaine Maxwell, jailed for 20 years for conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to abuse minors, sent a clear message to Donald Trump today that if the president were to grant her clemency, she would clear his name of any wrongdoing as it pertains to Epstein. Separately, members of Congress can review unredacted versions of the Epstein files at the Department of Justice today.
• DHS funding: Lawmakers are returning to Washington with just days to find a funding solution on the Department of Homeland Security or see an agency shutdown. Democrats are demanding reforms to federal immigration enforcement.
• Super Bowl reaction: Trump — who skipped the Super Bowl and attended a watch party in Florida — called last night’s Bad Bunny’s halftime performance “a slap in the face” and claimed “nobody understands a word” said by the Puerto Rican music star.AllCatch upEpstein files
DHS negotiations remain stuck on Capitol Hill
The deadline for funding the Department of Homeland Security is Friday at midnight, but Republican and Democratic negotiators have yet to make significant progress, sources tell Xenix News
The lack of serious progress over the weekend raises the stakes that funding for the department could lapse in just a matter of days as Democrats have sought to make major reforms to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection practices as part of these talks.
Democrats sent some legislative text to Republicans over the weekend that crystalized their list of demands, a source briefed on the matter told Xenix News. Yet, there hasn’t been a sustained back-and-forth. One source characterized it as a car stuck in neutral but sort of rolling down a hill – so not totally stalled out.
Last week, Democrats and Republicans were engaged in a public fight over who was stalling the talks, a sign that the negotiations aren’t yet at a serious point.
It’s possible that Senate Majority Leader John Thune may need to begin the process of filing cloture on another short-term funding stopgap, known as a continuing resolution, but again, it’s not clear that Democrats would back that plan barring significant progress on Republicans meeting their demands on ICE reforms.Read more
Catch up on the latest on the Epstein files, including Ghislaine Maxwell’s reaction to House deposition
This photo provided by the New York State Sex Offender Registry shows Jeffrey Epstein on March 28, 2017. New York State Sex Offender Registry/AP/File
The fallout from the release by the Department of Justice of millions of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein continued unabated today, here and abroad.
His jailed associate Ghislaine Maxwell invoked the Fifth Amendment during a virtual deposition as her attorney made an extraordinary overture. She is currently serving time at a minimum security prison in Bryan, Texas.
If you’re just joining us, here’s the latest:
Maxwell deposition:
- House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer called the Maxwell’s decision to invoke the Fifth “very disappointing” and said lawmakers “had many questions to ask about the crime she and Epstein committed, as well as questions about potential co-conspiracy.”
- Maxwell sent a clear message to Donald Trump: If the president were to grant her clemency, she would clear his name of any wrongdoing as it pertains to Epstein. The extraordinary overture came via a statement from Maxwell’s lawyer.
- Epstein survivors urged members of the House Oversight Committee to treat Maxwell “with the utmost skepticism, to rigorously scrutinize any claims she makes,” according to a letter entered into evidence during the deposition.
International fallout:
- British police are assessing a report that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor allegedly shared confidential reports with Epstein during the former prince’s role as UK trade envoy. Mountbatten-Windsor has previously repeatedly denied any wrongdoing over his ties to Epstein. He has not publicly responded to the latest allegations.
- Separately, the Prince and Princess of Wales said they were “deeply concerned” by revelations from the Epstein files, a spokesperson told journalists in Riyadh ahead of Prince William’s visit to Saudi Arabia.
- In Norway, former ambassador Mona Juul has been charged with “gross corruption” due to her relationship Epstein, Norway’s crime agency Økokrim said. Her husband, Terje Rød-Larsen, was also charged with complicity in gross corruption.
Prince and Princess of Wales “concerned” over Epstein revelations
Vance hails US-Armenia partnership in first ever vice presidential visit
Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan welcomes US Vice President JD Vance at the President’s Residence, in Yerevan, on Monday. Kevin Lamarque/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Vice President JD Vance on Monday became the first sitting US vice president (or president) to visit Armenia, where he touted partnerships between the two nations — including US drone technology sales and a civil nuclear cooperation agreement.
“Tonight marks a new beginning for Armenia and the United States and the partnership that our country can have together,” Vance said, standing beside Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, whom he endorsed ahead of upcoming elections.
Vance credited President Donald Trump and Pashinyan for advancing a forward-looking vision for peace in the region. Trump hosted the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan at the White House in August, where they finalized a peace agreement that would grant the US exclusive development access to a critical transit corridor in the South Caucasus.
Vance praised that Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, saying it’ll ensure “private capital is going to flow into building railroads, into building pipelines, again, to building the interconnectedness that would create real prosperity for the region, but also allow the peace agreement to stick.”
Pashinyan, for his part, said he hopes Trump will win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2026 and discussed his role on the Board of Peace, confirming he plans to attend an upcoming meeting.Read more
Maxwell can clear Trump’s name in Epstein probe in exchange for clemency, attorney says
House Oversight Chairman James Comer arrives to speak to reporters after Ghislaine Maxwell’s deposition on Capitol Hill Monday. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images
Ghislaine Maxwell, who was sentenced to prison for 20 years for conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to abuse minors, sent a clear message to Donald Trump on Monday that if the president were to grant her clemency, she would clear his name of any wrongdoing as it pertains to Epstein.
The extraordinary overture, stated by Maxwell’s lawyer Monday morning during her virtual deposition before the House Oversight Committee, ensures the Epstein saga will continue to remain a political hotspot.
“Ms. Maxwell is prepared to speak fully and honestly if granted clemency by President Trump,” attorney David Oscar Markus said in a statement during the deposition, which he later posted on X. “Only she can provide the complete account. Some may not like what they hear, but the truth matters. For example, both President Trump and President Clinton are innocent of any wrongdoing.”
Markus also said that: “Ms. Maxwell alone can explain why, and the public is entitled to that explanation.”
Trump has not ruled out the possibility of offering Maxwell a pardon or commutation.
Trump and Clinton, who appear throughout the files released by DOJ, have denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein.
House Oversight Chair James Comer called Maxwell’s decision to plead the Fifth “very disappointing” and said lawmakers “had many questions to ask about the crime she and Epstein committed, as well as questions about potential co-conspiracy.”
Democrats on the committee accused Maxwell of trying to buy her clemency by refusing to testify. “We will not allow this silence to stand,” Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury said.
When asked if he would subpoena Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick as part of the probe, Comer said he was going to focus on five depositions he has coming up.
The Clintons are expected to appear behind closed doors later this month for depositions.
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