Howard Lutnick, who serves as the Commerce Secretary and is a notable economic adviser to former US President Donald Trump, is under increasing pressure to provide testimony concerning his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. This scrutiny follows the emergence of a photo from the Department of Justice's archives.
The image captures Lutnick alongside Epstein and three unidentified individuals, reportedly taken on a tropical island.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie, leading the move to release Epstein- related documents, has urged the Department of Justice to clarify why this particular photo was allegedly removed from their website.
Massie expressed his curiosity on X, stating, 'I'm sure there's a good reason for this. DOJ needs to tell Congress who pulled this file down so we can ask them.'
The scrutiny surrounding Lutnick intensified after he had publicly declared in a previous interview with the New York Post that he engaged with Epstein just once, citing the financier’s demeanor as distasteful to him.
Lutnick stated, 'I was never in the room with him socially, for business, or even philanthropy. If that guy was there, I wasn't going, 'cause he's gross. So I look back at it as a gift. He gave me a gift.'
However, newly released Epstein documents from January indicated that Lutnick had visited Epstein's Little St. James island for a lunch long after he claimed to have severed ties. In his more recent congressional testimony, he admitted to visiting the island with his family.
Despite his claims of limited interaction, Lutnick reiterated to a Senate Appropriations subcommittee during a February 10 session, 'I did not have any relationship with him. I barely had anything to do with that person, OK?'
Following testimony from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton before the House Oversight Committee, lawmakers from both political parties are demanding further inquiry into Lutnick’s connections with Epstein.
Oversight Chair James Comer remarked to reporters in New York that the committee is contemplating issuing a subpoena for Lutnick to testify, asserting, 'That's very possible. I think it's a good possibility that his name will arise in some questioning today.'
Meanwhile, Representative Nancy Mace, a prominent supporter of Trump in Congress, commented that she would pose questions to Clinton regarding Lutnick’s dealings.
Comer has indicated that the investigation by the Oversight Committee will be bipartisan, intending to probe both Republicans and Democrats concerning their affiliations with Epstein.
Lutnick is regarded as a significant figure within Trump’s inner circle and is among the president’s most trusted advisors.
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