On Friday morning, a small plane circled over the federal courthouse in Tallahassee. Reporters waiting for updates on Ghislaine Maxwell’s DOJ interview looked up. A bright yellow banner trailed behind the plane. It read: “TRUMP AND BONDI ARE PROTECTING PREDATORS.”
The banner encapsulated the anger around the Justice Department’s work with Maxwell, who once worked for Jeffrey Epstein and is now serving 20 years for sex trafficking. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche wrapped up a second day of interviews with her in Tallahassee.
Her lawyer said she answered questions about “maybe a hundred different people,” and that she “didn’t hold anything back.” The Justice Department said more details would be released “at the appropriate time.”
President Trump spoke about the possibility of pardoning Maxwell just before leaving for Scotland. He said, “I’m allowed to do it, but it’s something I haven’t thought about.” After landing, he said, “I don’t know anything about the conversation. Obviously, this is no time to be talking about pardons.”
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Attorney Markus stressed there were “no asks and no promises” in Maxwell’s meeting with DOJ officials. And he added, “The president this morning said he had the power to do so. We hope he exercises that power in the right and just way.”
The banner protest followed remarks by Senator Chuck Schumer, who questioned whether Blanche had offered Maxwell a corrupt deal in return for exonerating Trump. Epstein survivor Teresa Helm called a pardon an assault on justice. She said it would mean “the complete crumbling of this justice system that should first and foremost stand for, fight for and protect survivors.”
At the courthouse, Lisa Lloyd nursed a sign and summed up what many felt. She said, “She should stay in prison. This is wrong. Anyone who is concerned with justice should be appalled by this.”
The meeting with Maxwell was unusual. Todd Blanche previously worked as Trump’s lawyer. Now he traveled to Florida and held lengthy in‑person sessions with Maxwell. media reports described it as an eight-to-ten-hour interview over two days.
The banner was part of a campaign by UltraViolet, a women’s advocacy group. They said “survivors deserve better than this.”
This protest came just as public attention was turning back to Epstein’s case. Maxwell is appealing her conviction and the House has subpoenaed her to testify in August.
UltraViolet also flew the banner over the federal prison where Maxwell is held. Their message was clear: Trump and Bondi have failed victims.
The plane flew from 9 a.m. to noon. Below, reporters watched Maxwell finish her interview while the banner stayed visible in the sky.
Some conservative voices have softened their position on Maxwell—calling her possibly a victim or hoping she reveals high profile names. But backlash remains fierce.
Featured image via Screengrab
