House Democrats have called for the resignation of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, accusing him of lying about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
In a letter signed by all 21 Democratic members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, they stated that Lutnick's public claims about his interactions with Epstein were false and that he failed to be forthcoming during a closed-door interview.
Lutnick had previously asserted that after a visit to Epstein's Manhattan mansion in 2005, he would never be in the same room with Epstein again. However, evidence released by the Department of Justice revealed that Lutnick had lunch with Epstein on his private island in 2012, contradicting his earlier statements.
The Democrats emphasized that Lutnick's claims were 'demonstrably false' and criticized his lack of candor, stating that he used the congressional interview to perpetuate a misleading narrative rather than correct the record.
In response, a Commerce Department spokesperson dismissed the Democrats' letter as a politically motivated distraction, asserting that Lutnick had answered nearly 400 questions during his voluntary appearance before the committee. The spokesperson also noted that Lutnick maintained that his limited encounters with Epstein did not constitute a relationship.
The White House has expressed support for Lutnick, with President Donald Trump standing behind him despite scrutiny over his past friendship with Epstein. The situation raises significant concerns about accountability and transparency within the federal government, particularly regarding the conduct of cabinet officials