US commerce secretary to testify before Congress about Epstein ties

March 4, 2026

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has voluntarily agreed to provide testimony to a House Oversight Committee investigation examining connections to deceased financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Although Lutnick previously claimed he severed contact with Epstein in 2005, recently released Justice Department documents revealed he visited Epstein's private Caribbean island in 2012 during a family vacation, contradicting his earlier statements about the timeline of their relationship. This disclosure prompted lawmakers from both parties to demand his resignation from the Trump administration, though no victims have accused him of wrongdoing.

Who is affected

Howard Lutnick (US Commerce Secretary)
Jeffrey Epstein's victims
Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton (former President and former Secretary of State)
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer
Bill Gates, Doug Band, and Kathryn Ruemmler (called to testify)
The Trump administration

What action is being taken

The House Oversight Committee is conducting an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein
The US Justice Department is releasing millions of documents related to their Epstein investigations (as mandated by law)

Why it matters

This investigation matters because it seeks to establish the full scope of relationships between influential political, business, and government figures and a convicted sex offender. The revelation that high-ranking officials like the Commerce Secretary maintained contact with Epstein longer than they initially disclosed raises questions about transparency and judgment among those holding positions of public trust. The bipartisan nature of calls for accountability demonstrates that Epstein-related connections transcend typical political divisions and carry significant reputational and potentially legal consequences.

What's next

Howard Lutnick will appear for a transcribed interview (no date publicly announced)
Seven additional individuals have been called to appear before the committee for transcribed interviews, including Bill Gates, Doug Band, and Kathryn Ruemmler

Read full article from source: BBC