Howard Lutnick Testifies Before House Oversight Committee on Epstein Ties

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is scheduled to appear voluntarily before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday for a closed-door transcribed interview as part of the panel's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The session marks the first time a current Trump Cabinet official will be questioned in the probe.

Lutnick agreed to the appearance after months of public discussion following the January release of Department of Justice documents.

The records showed that Lutnick had contact with Epstein after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. According to the documents, this included a scheduled 2011 appointment and a 2012 family lunch on Epstein's private island.

Lutnick told the Senate Appropriations Committee in February that he visited the island with his wife, four children and nannies during a family vacation. "My wife was with me, as were my four children and nannies," Lutnick said. " He added that the group had lunch for about an hour and then left.

Lutnick had previously stated on a podcast that after a 2005 visit to Epstein's Manhattan home he and his wife decided never to be in a room with him again. He described Epstein as "gross" and said the decision was made in the steps between their neighboring townhouses.

A Commerce Department spokesperson said Lutnick looks forward to addressing questions and putting to rest what the department called inaccurate and baseless media claims designed to distract from his work.

President Donald Trump has expressed support for Lutnick, describing him as a "very innocent guy" doing a good job. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in February that the president "fully supports" Lutnick. The committee has already heard from Bill and Hillary Clinton as part of its Epstein investigation.

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi is scheduled to appear later this month, and tech billionaire Bill Gates is slated to testify in June.