Recently, President Donald Trump was asked whether he would pardon several high-profile figures, including Sean “Diddy” Combs, former Republican representative George Santos, and Ghislaine Maxwell. In a statement to Newsmax, Trump admitted that, to date, he had only been asked to pardon one of them.
The possibility of a pardon for Maxwell, who is currently serving 20 years in a federal prison for trafficking minors for the late Jeffrey Epstein, has sparked nationwide interest and outrage. The family of Virginia Giuffre, who had been one of the most outspoken Epstein accusers until her death in April 2025, is advocating against a pardon for Maxwell, calling it an “abomination.” Kristen Gibbons Feden, a shareholder at Anapol Weiss and fierce advocate for survivors of sexual abuse, recently joined NBC to reflect on the family’s plea.
Virginia Giuffre’s Family Pleads Trump Administration Not to Pardon Ghislaine Maxwell
In July 2025, shortly before boarding Air Force One, President Trump was asked about Epstein and claimed that he “stole” young women who had been working for him at Mar-a-Lago resort. One of those employees included Virginia Giuffre, who had been working at the resort’s spa when she was just 16 years old.
Family Outraged Over Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Remarks
President Trump’s remarks sparked outrage among Giuffre’s family. “It was shocking to hear President Trump invoke our sister and say that he was aware that Virginia had been ‘stolen’ from Mar-a-Lago,” the family said in a statement published by Newsweek. In an interview with NBC News Now, Virginia’s brother, Sky Roberts, condemned President Trump’s statement, saying, “She’s not an object. She’s a person, a mom, a sister. She wasn’t stolen, she was recruited [by Maxwell].”
How Giuffre Was Targeted by Maxwell, Epstein, and Prince Andrew
According to Giuffre, she had met Maxwell in 2000 while working at Mar-a-Lago resort as a locker room attendant when she was just 16 years old. After meeting Epstein shortly thereafter, Giuffre was allegedly trafficked to several of Epstein’s friends, including the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, when she was 17. “I want you to do for him what you do for Epstein,” Maxwell was alleged to have told Giuffre.
Prince Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in 2022 (that she donated to her survivor’s organization, SOAR) and gave a statement of regret for his association with Epstein, but did not admit to culpability or issue an apology. On April 25, 2025, Giuffre died by suicide.
Feden Reflects on Giuffre’s Advocacy and Legacy
Reflecting on the family’s statements, Kristen Gibbons Feden told NBC, “It was gut-wrenching, but also powerful and impactful. The family really showed their pain was palpable.” Giuffre was one of the bravest and most outspoken accusers of Jeffrey Epstein. She first came forward following the original investigation into Epstein, which had resulted in an 18-month jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to charges of soliciting prostitution in 2008. Giuffre also played an instrumental role in the unsealing of court documents related to Epstein during her defamation lawsuit against Maxwell. These documents revealed Maxwell’s role in the Epstein scandal.
“The message of a possibility of a pardon was unequivocal,” Feden expressed. “In their own words, they said it would be an abomination, and it goes back to exactly that. There’s no deal, information, or political interest that could ever justify releasing someone who preyed upon children.” At this time, the Trump Administration stated that they are not considering leniency toward Maxwell.
Fighting for accountability on behalf of sexual assault survivors is at the heart of everything Kristen Gibbons Feden does. Known for her closing argument in the second criminal trial against Bill Cosby and securing two eight-figure verdicts in a single day for survivors of abuse, Feden demonstrates her commitment to survivors daily.
Beyond her legal prowess, however, is a woman who leads with compassion. Currently, she, along with co-counsel, is fighting for justice for nearly 1,000 survivors of institutional sexual abuse that occurred at the hands of employees in juvenile detention centers in Illinois. Their bravery in coming forward is a testament to the support, flexibility, and understanding Feden gives to survivors. It’s this kindness and fierce dedication that has led to numerous accolades, including Attorney of the Year by The Legal and in 2024, the Philadelphia Citizen. She was presented with an award and gave a speech at that year’s Rad Awards (pictured below).
In reflecting on Giuffre’s life, Feden says it's clear that her family is maintaining her legacy. “Virginia fought for those files to be made public. She believed in transparency. She stood for that. And her family is still fighting for that.”
Commitment to Survivors of Sexual Abuse
At Anapol Weiss, we stand behind survivors of sexual abuse and fight to make their voices heard. As Feden expressed to NBC, without accountability and bringing to light what happens behind closed doors, “We’re just repeating cycles of silence and power. Survivors deserve not only accountability but the truth.”
If you were sexually abused, you don’t have to face this battle alone. Anapol Weiss is a predominantly female-run law firm and we’re here to help you tell your story and get the justice and healing you need. Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.
