House Democrats have demanded the resignation of U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, accusing him of lying about his relationship with the infamous sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The call for Lutnick’s resignation follows a recent closed-door interview with lawmakers, during which he allegedly provided misleading information regarding his interactions with Epstein.
Allegations of Dishonesty and Lack of Transparency
In a letter addressed to Lutnick, the Democratic minority of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform stated, “The facts are clear: you lied to the American people and attempted to conceal your relationship with Jeffrey Epstein in your public statements.” The letter, signed by all 21 Democratic members of the panel, further asserted that Lutnick demonstrated a lack of candor that renders him unfit for his role as Secretary of Commerce.
Details from Closed-Door Interview
During his testimony, which took place on May 6, 2026, Lutnick claimed that, following a visit to Epstein’s Manhattan residence in 2005, he resolved to never be in the same room with Epstein again. He stated, “If that guy was there, I wasn’t going, because he’s gross,” distancing himself from any social or business interactions with Epstein.
However, subsequent revelations from the Department of Justice’s release of Epstein-related documents indicated that Lutnick had dined with his family on Epstein’s private island in 2012. These findings prompted Democrats to label Lutnick’s previous statements as “demonstrably false,” emphasizing that they had clear evidence supporting Lutnick’s meetings with Epstein.
Response from the Commerce Department
A spokesperson for the Commerce Department responded to the allegations, describing the letter as a politically motivated attempt to undermine Lutnick’s accomplishments at the department. The spokesperson noted that in his voluntary appearance before the Oversight Committee, Lutnick answered nearly 400 questions, concluding the session only when the committee members had no further inquiries.
Furthermore, the spokesperson stated, “He explained repeatedly that three encounters did not constitute a relationship, and the committee adjourned without identifying any evidence to the contrary.” The spokesperson characterized the calls for Lutnick’s resignation as baseless.
The White House’s Position
In light of the controversy, the White House, which has supported Lutnick amid the backlash, reiterated that President Donald Trump stands firmly behind the Secretary of Commerce. Trump himself has faced scrutiny regarding his past association with Epstein.
Continuing Fallout from Epstein Files
Following the recent release of Epstein-related files, Lutnick’s connections to the convicted sex offender have sparked a renewed interest in his past interactions. Epstein, who died in a New York City jail in 2019 under accusations of sex trafficking, had previously pleaded guilty in 2008 to charges involving minors.