What are the possible effects of a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell on justice and public trust in the legal system?

The Senate unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday declaring that Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted sex trafficker who aided Jeffrey Epstein's abuse of underage girls, should never receive a presidential pardon. Why it matters: Democrats wanted to put every Republican senator on record as opposed to a potential pardon. By failing to object to Sen. Jacky Rosen's resolution, Republicans agreed that the president "should not grant a pardon, commutation, or any other form of executive clemency to Ghislaine Maxwell," according to the resolution."The Senate stands with the victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking and affirms its commitment to justice, accountability, and the protection of children."Senate resolutions like these are symbolic and non-binding. Last week, the Senate passed a similar resolution about any pardon or clemency for FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried. Zoom out: President Trump has never categorically ruled out a pardon for Maxwell, but he has not given any indication that he plans to issue one. After the Supreme Court declined to hear Maxwell's appeal in October 2025, Trump was pressed on a potential pardon. "Well, I'll take a look at it. I wouldn't consider it or not consider it. I don't know anything about it. I will speak to the DOJ," he said. Zoom in: In May, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told senators that he would not recommend a pardon. Blanche personally interviewed Maxwell last year as part of the Justice Department's Epstein investigation, fueling speculation the administration might offer clemency in exchange for cooperation