GOP congressman says Trump's well wishes to Ghislaine Maxwell were 'unacceptably obtuse'

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's well wishes to accused child abuser and Jeffrey Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell were rebuked by Republican Rep. Chip Roy, who said the comments were "unacceptably obtuse."

The president made his comments at his first White House coronavirus briefing since April on Tuesday, noting that he had met Maxwell "numerous times over the years." Maxwell is currently in jail, accused of luring girls as young as 14 to be abused by Epstein. Maxwell has pleaded not guilty.

"I haven't really been following it too much. I just wish her well, frankly," Trump said Tuesday. "I've met her numerous times over the years... but I wish her well, whatever it is."

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"This is unacceptably obtuse for a woman accused of the most morally depraved of crimes, @realDonaldTrump. She needs to be severely punished... and justice must be served for the girls she abused. For ALL involved," Roy tweeted Wednesday morning.

The Texas Republican is a member of the hardline conservative House Freedom Caucus and an ally to Trump who has sometimes spoken out against the president's views.

"I wish - and call for - for justice," Roy also tweeted in response to Trump's well wishes for Maxwell.

Maxwell was arrested and charged this month for her alleged role in a sex trafficking scheme that began more than two decades ago. She is accused of helping Epstein “recruit, groom, and ultimately abuse victims” between 1994 and 1997.

Trump was asked by a reporter Tuesday if he thinks Maxwell is "going to turn in powerful men."

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Photos of Trump and Maxwell, sometimes along with Epstein and first lady Melania Trump, have been circulated since her arrest. Maxwell lived and traveled with Epstein, and allegedly facilitated and sometimes participating in abuse at his estate in Palm Beach, Fla., and other locations, according to a grand jury indictment.

"I've met her numerous times over the years, especially since I lived in Palm Beach and I guess they lived in Palm Beach," Trump said.

Trump's comments on Maxwell sparked disapproval from critics, including Democratic Rep. Karen Bass, who asked on Twitter if Trump has "sent any well wishes to the families of the more than 140,000 Americans who have died during this pandemic?"

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chip Roy: Trump's well wishes to Ghislaine Maxwell 'unacceptably obtuse'