APTOPIX Congress Epstein

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick arrives for a deposition as part of the House Oversight Committee's investigation of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

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Lutnick's testimony about Epstein draws praise from GOP chair and derision from Democrats

Lutnick's testimony about Epstein draws praise from GOP chair and derision from Democrats

Members of Congress have come away from a private House committee interview with vastly different assessments of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s answers about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl. The Republican who heads the committee said Lutnick was “forthcoming” in describing limited interactions with Epstein. Democrats accused Lutnick of lying and evading their questions during the interview Wednesday. Lutnick's position has been that he’s done nothing wrong and he welcomed the chance to speak to lawmakers in private. The interview wasn't recorded on video, as the committee has done with depositions for others, including Bill and Hillary Clinton.