Commerce Secretary Lutnick to Testify on Past Ties to Epstein

Cabinet member to face closed-door House Oversight Committee interview

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has voluntarily agreed to sit for a transcribed interview with the House Oversight Committee about his past interactions with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Lutnick has not been accused of a crime but his name surfaced in Justice Department files related to Epstein.

Why it matters

The interview comes as Lutnick has faced intensifying pressure from Democrats in Congress to turn over records of any ties to Epstein or his associates. The White House is standing by Lutnick, calling him "a critical asset," but the testimony could raise further questions about the Commerce Secretary's relationship with the disgraced financier.

The details

Lutnick has described Epstein as someone he "barely had anything to do with," though DOJ records show a 2011 meeting at Epstein's home and a 2012 family lunch on Epstein's private island. Lutnick has already testified before Congress, acknowledging that while he initially claimed to have distanced himself from Epstein in 2005, he did in fact meet with him after that point.

  • Lutnick is expected to testify in the coming weeks.
  • Lutnick previously met with Epstein in 2011 and 2012.

The players

Howard Lutnick

The current U.S. Commerce Secretary who has agreed to testify about his past ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

James Comer

The chair of the House Oversight Committee, which will be conducting the closed-door interview with Lutnick.

Jeffrey Epstein

The convicted sex offender whose ties to Lutnick are the subject of the upcoming testimony.

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What they’re saying

“I have done nothing wrong and I want to set the record straight.”

— Howard Lutnick, Commerce Secretary (Axios)

“Lutnick is "a critical asset,”

— White House Spokesman (Axios)

What’s next

The transcript of Lutnick's interview with the House Oversight Committee will be released after standard legal review.

The takeaway

This testimony could shed light on the extent of Lutnick's relationship with the disgraced financier Epstein, and may raise further questions about the Commerce Secretary's past ties to the convicted sex offender.