The congressional inquiry into the network and associations of late financier Jeffrey Epstein has expanded, with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick agreeing to appear before lawmakers for a transcribed interview.
The development was confirmed by House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, who disclosed that Lutnick had “proactively agreed to appear voluntarily” as part of the Committee’s ongoing investigation into Epstein’s associations and the broader implications of documents released by the US Department of Justice.
Lutnick has previously acknowledged visiting Epstein’s private Caribbean island in December 2012 — several years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction in Florida for sex-related offences. The Secretary has not been accused of wrongdoing by any of Epstein’s victims.
The renewed scrutiny follows the public release of more than 3.5 million investigative documents by the Justice Department pursuant to statutory disclosure obligations. Records within the disclosure confirm Lutnick’s presence on the island on 23 December 2012 and include email correspondence referencing the visit.
Prior to this disclosure, Lutnick had informed Congress that he severed ties with Epstein in 2005 after what he described as inappropriate remarks by the financier. The confirmation of a subsequent visit has triggered bipartisan calls for his resignation from the administration of Donald Trump, particularly given Lutnick’s prominent role in shaping the administration’s global tariffs policy.
The Committee’s action comes days after former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified in connection with the same inquiry. Both maintained that they had no prior knowledge of Epstein’s criminal conduct and had discontinued contact before his 2008 conviction. Although neither has been accused of wrongdoing by victims, their inclusion in investigative files — including photographic records — prompted demands for sworn depositions.
Chairman Comer has also invited several additional high-profile figures to appear for transcribed interviews, including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, as the Committee seeks to clarify the extent and nature of relationships documented in the released files.
No official date has yet been announced for Lutnick’s testimony. However, the Oversight Committee has framed the forthcoming appearance as a demonstration of transparency, while legal and political analysts note that the inquiry continues to reverberate across party lines and institutional hierarchies in Washington.
