WASHINGTON (AP) — Under scrutiny from Congressional Democrats, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick acknowledged Tuesday that he met with Jeffrey Epstein twice after the financier's 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. This marked a significant reversal from Lutnick’s earlier statements claiming he had cut ties with Epstein following a disturbing visit to the latter's home in 2005.
Lutnick characterized his connection with Epstein as limited, consisting of a few emails and two meetings spaced years apart. I barely had anything to do with him, he remarked during a subcommittee hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
However, following the release of documents related to Epstein’s case, calls for Lutnick's resignation have intensified among lawmakers. Critics claim that Lutnick misled the public and Congress about the extent of his interactions with Epstein.
The Commerce Secretary disclosed that he and his family had lunch with Epstein on his private island in 2012 and had another engagement at Epstein’s New York City residence in 2011, further complicating his narrative. With bipartisan pressure mounting for Lutnick to resign, he stands as the most prominent U.S. official embroiled in controversies surrounding Epstein.
In other countries, such as the U.K., victims of Epstein's actions have seen significant retribution against those connected with him, creating a contrasting environment in the U.S., where officials have largely avoided consequences for similar associations. Sen. Chris Van Hollen challenged Lutnick, indicating that it was not about personal wrongdoing but rather about the credibility of public officials amidst a shocking echo of the Epstein scandal.
Congressional representatives, including Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, have explicitly called for Lutnick's dismissal, expressing their intention to hold influential figures accountable for their actions and associations.
As investigations continue and public pressure mounts, the future of Lutnick’s position remains uncertain amid intense scrutiny of ethical standards for those in power.
