Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick agreed to appear before the House Oversight Committee to discuss his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) confirmed the arrangement, stating that Lutnick “proactively agreed to appear voluntarily before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.” He continued, “I commend his demonstrated commitment to transparency and appreciate his willingness to engage with the Committee. I look forward to his testimony.”
Lutnick told Axios on the matter, “I look forward to appearing before the committee. I have done nothing wrong and I want to set the record straight.” The outlet reports that Lutnick was once Epstein’s neighbor.
White House spokesman Kush Desai told the outlet, “Secretary Lutnick continues to be a critical asset for President Trump, having played a key role in securing major trade and investment deals. The entire Trump administration, including Secretary Lutnick, remains focused on delivering more wins for the American people.”
President Trump has defended Lutnick’s appearance in recently-released Epstein files, telling reporters, “Well, Howard would go in and do whatever he has to say. He’s a very innocent guy, doing a good job.”
Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Chris Coons (D-DE) previously questioned Lutnick on the matter, with Van Hollen asking, “Why did the Epstein files show you coordinating a meeting and planning a visit with Jeffrey Epstein on his private island in December 2012?”
Lutnick explained that he had lunch with Epstein “as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation.”
“My wife was with me, as were my four children and nannies. I had another couple — they were there, as well with their children,” he stated. “And we had lunch on the island. That is true, for an hour, and we left with all of my children, with my nannies, and my wife, all together. We were all together.”
Lutnick admitted that he also visited Epstein’s island but did not see suspicious activity. “The only thing I saw with my wife and my children and the other couple and their children were staff who worked with Mr. Epstein on that island,” he claimed.
