Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend, declined to answer questions from the US House Oversight Committee on Monday, following the release by the Justice Department (DOJ) of unredacted Epstein files to congressional leaders.

Republican committee chair James Comer announced that Maxwell would be exercising her Fifth Amendment rights after she was subpoenaed to discuss her involvement in sex-trafficking of young girls on Epstein’s island. She stated her purpose was to protect herself from incriminating questions.

Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her involvement with Epstein, and her lawyers stated that she would only answer questions if US President Donald Trump granted her clemency, ending her prison sentence. Her lawyers then concluded her statement by saying that if she were to be released from prison, she would testify that neither President Trump’s nor former president Bill Clinton’s ties to Epstein implicate them in any wrongdoing.

Her request for clemency was met with outrage from Democrats and Republicans alike. Republican Representative Ana Paulina Luna posted in response to Maxwell’s request, “NO CLEMENCY. You comply or face punishment. You deserve JUSTICE for what you did you monster.” (Sic)

Maxwell has campaigned for her own release for years, contending she was wrongfully convicted. Recently, she came under scrutiny after lawmakers engaged in a new investigation in response to the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

The DOJ’s recent release of documents and emails tied to Epstein has linked multiple high-powered businesspeople and celebrities, including former US presidents. Both Bill and Hillary Clinton are set to appear in depositions later this month.