分类： politics

In a highly anticipated congressional deposition that yielded no new information, convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination on Monday. The hearing, conducted virtually from her federal prison in Texas where she is serving a 20-year sentence, was orchestrated by the House Oversight Committee seeking information about her crimes with Jeffrey Epstein and potential co-conspirators.

Committee Chairman James Comer expressed significant disappointment following the deposition, stating they had ‘many questions about the crimes she and Epstein committed as well as questions about potential co-conspirators.’

The development took a dramatic turn when Maxwell’s attorney, David Markus, presented an extraordinary proposition: Maxwell would provide complete and honest testimony if granted clemency by former President Donald Trump. ‘If this Committee and the American public truly want to hear the unfiltered truth about what happened, there is a straightforward path,’ Markus declared in an official statement. ‘Ms. Maxwell is prepared to speak fully and honestly if granted clemency by President Trump.’

Markus notably asserted that both Trump and former President Bill Clinton – who had documented associations with Epstein – are ‘innocent of any wrongdoing,’ while simultaneously positioning Maxwell as the sole individual capable of providing explanations about their interactions with Epstein.

The deposition occurs against the backdrop of the recent Justice Department release of millions of documents, photographs, and videos from the Epstein investigation. While prosecutors indicate no new criminal cases are expected, the revelations have already triggered resignations and reputational damage for numerous business and political figures identified in the files.

Democratic Representative Suhas Subramanyam, who attended the closed-door session, characterized Maxwell as ‘unrepentant’ and ‘robotic,’ suggesting her refusal to testify constituted a strategic maneuver to secure a presidential pardon.

The committee has additionally summoned Bill and Hillary Clinton to testify about their Epstein connections, with the Clintons requesting public hearings to avoid political manipulation of their testimony. Notably, Trump – despite his documented friendship with Epstein – has not been called to testify before the Republican-led committee.

The unfolding situation reflects intense political pressure to address widespread public suspicion of a coordinated cover-up to protect powerful individuals within Epstein’s network, a sentiment that ultimately compelled Trump to authorize the release of Epstein-related documents despite initial resistance.

WASHINGTON—U.S. lawmakers from both parties expressed serious concerns Monday after reviewing unredacted files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, noting that numerous names had been inexplicably removed from publicly released documents despite congressional mandates for full transparency.

The examination occurred at a secure Justice Department facility following the implementation of the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA), which Congress passed overwhelmingly in November. This legislation compelled the Justice Department to disclose all Epstein-related records in its possession, explicitly prohibiting redactions based on embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity—including for government officials, public figures, or foreign dignitaries. The law only permitted redactions to protect the identities of Epstein’s victims, who number over 1,000 according to FBI estimates.

Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) reported observing ‘lots of names blanked out for mysterious or baffling reasons,’ suggesting many redactions appeared to cover ‘enablers and cooperators’ with Epstein without legitimate justification. His concerns were echoed by Representatives Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who discovered at least six redacted names of individuals ‘likely incriminated by their inclusion in these files.’

The lawmakers declined to identify these individuals publicly but revealed that one is ‘pretty high up in a foreign government’ and another is ‘a pretty prominent individual.’ They also noted that many redactions predated the Justice Department’s receipt of the documents, potentially originating from the FBI or prosecutors.

The document release comes amid ongoing fallout from the Epstein scandal. Epstein, who maintained connections with business executives, politicians, and celebrities, died in his New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking minors. His associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted in 2021 for trafficking underage girls to Epstein and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.

In a related development, Maxwell testified from prison to Congress on Monday but refused to answer questions, stating she would only cooperate if granted clemency by former President Donald Trump. Trump himself had initially resisted the document release concerning his former acquaintance, but ultimately signed the EFTA into law following pressure from within his own party, reflecting widespread public suspicion of a cover-up to protect powerful figures in Epstein’s orbit.

Opposition Senator Kisha Anderson has issued a stark warning to the Jamaican Government, asserting that the nation cannot presume continued financial support from international organizations following future natural disasters. Her remarks came during last Friday’s Senate debate concerning amendments to the Financial Administration and Audit (FAA) Act.

Anderson emphasized that the increasing frequency of catastrophic events across the Caribbean region means Jamaica will not remain the sole small island nation dependent on global generosity. This caution follows the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, which inflicted an estimated US$8.8 billion in physical damage to the island.

The approved legislative amendments eliminate the maximum cap on allocations to the National Natural Disaster Reserve Fund (NNDRF) and remove requirements for annual transfers from the Consolidated Fund once the NNDRF balance reaches $10 billion. Notably, the provision mandating a $200 million annual transfer to the NNDRF, established during the 2023/2024 financial year, has been abolished.

Opposition parliamentarians in both legislative chambers have challenged the government’s rationale for discontinuing the guaranteed funding mechanism. They contend that the resources available from the NNDRF after Hurricane Melissa represented merely “a drop in the bucket” compared to the actual reconstruction needs.

Government Senate Leader Kamina Johnson Smith defended the policy changes, highlighting the administration’s development of a sophisticated multi-layered disaster risk financing framework. This innovative approach includes Jamaica’s groundbreaking catastrophe bond initiative, which established the nation as the first small state to sponsor its own catastrophe bond—a financial instrument that gained significant global recognition following Hurricane Melissa.

While acknowledging the maturity demonstrated through Jamaica’s layered disaster management strategy, Senator Anderson questioned the decision to retreat from established funding mechanisms. She further emphasized the critical importance of governance and accountability, suggesting that enhanced oversight provisions within the FAA Act could serve as remedies for poor governance practices.

The debate occurs against the backdrop of Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s announcement of a historic US$6.7 billion financing package from multilateral institutions, including the IMF and World Bank, to support Jamaica’s three-year recovery and resilience building efforts following the hurricane.

The United States has formally expressed its support for Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimè as he assumes interim leadership following the conclusion of the Provisional Transitional Council’s (CPT) mandate. Washington’s endorsement came through an official statement released by the U.S. Embassy in Haiti, acknowledging the peaceful transfer of authority from CPT coordinator Laurent Saint-Cyr to Prime Minister Fils-Aimé and his ministerial council.

The American government emphasized its readiness to collaborate with Haiti’s interim administration to address the nation’s pressing stabilization needs. The statement highlighted Washington’s recognition of the profound responsibility facing Haitian authorities during this critical juncture, while underscoring the essential role of domestic efforts in restoring security and advancing the aspirations of the Haitian population.

Citing Secretary Rubio’s previous remarks, the communication stressed that sustainable progress in Haiti hinges upon responsible governance, enhanced security conditions, and robust international partnerships that respect Haitian sovereignty. The United States reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside Haitian leadership and regional allies to support stabilization initiatives.

The CPT, established in April 2024 following Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s resignation, was tasked with restoring political stability, addressing severe security challenges posed by armed gangs, and facilitating a democratic transition. The nine-member council was specifically mandated to appoint new governmental leadership and oversee preparations for national elections scheduled for early 2026—marking the first electoral processes since April 2024.

However, the council’s tenure concluded last Saturday amid internal conflicts, governance deficiencies, operational paralysis, and widespread allegations of corruption, influence peddling, and alleged collusion with armed factions. While Haitian civil and political leaders broadly agreed on the CPT’s dissolution, consensus regarding its replacement structure remains elusive.

In his departure statement, Saint-Cyr urged stakeholders to prioritize national security over personal interests, confirming that ministerial leadership under Prime Minister Fils-Aimé would assume control. Meanwhile, Fils-Aimé addressed the nation over the weekend, invoking Haiti’s historical commitment to republican values and popular sovereignty while emphasizing the necessity of national unity and state authority. He acknowledged the CPT’s efforts during nearly two years of extreme complexity while recognizing that the transition process remains incomplete due to persistent insecurity and electoral timeline adjustments.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Deputy Prime Minister and National Security Minister Horace Chang has resumed his official duties after a period of medical absence. The senior government official returned to his ministerial office and participated in Cabinet proceedings on Monday, marking his formal reintegration into the nation’s security leadership.

Minister Chang disclosed that his complete rehabilitation following an elective surgical procedure is projected to conclude by late February 2026. “While I am officially back in the ministry, my field operations will remain limited until March,” Chang stated. “The coming weeks will be dedicated to comprehensively updating myself on all pertinent security matters.”

The National Security Minister extended particular recognition to Jamaica’s security forces for their performance, noting that the new year has commenced positively following their commendable achievements throughout the previous year. “The results are undoubtedly encouraging, though substantial work remains ahead,” Chang observed. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to transforming Jamaica into a more peaceful and securely governed society.”

Chang additionally expressed profound gratitude toward governmental colleagues and citizens who offered support during his health-related absence. “I deeply appreciate the kindness and solidarity extended following news of my health challenges,” he remarked. “While it presented difficulties, my recovery continues positively, and I am genuinely thankful for the overwhelming support.”