Secretary Howard Lutnick is questioned by House lawmakers over his Epstein ties

Politics Secretary Howard Lutnick is questioned by House lawmakers over his Epstein ties May 6, 202610:24 PM ET By  Ava Berger ,  Vanessa Romo 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, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption toggle caption J. Scott Applewhite/AP Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Wednesday was grilled by Democrats and members of his own party during a closed-door hearing before the House Oversight Committee, over his relationship with the convicted sex offender — and his former neighbor — Jeffrey Epstein. Despite conflicting statements Lutnick had previously made about the duration and nature of his friendship with Epstein, who was accused of sex trafficking women and girls, Rep. James Comer, Republican chair of the Oversight Committee described Lutnick's account during the hearing as "forthcoming," while committee Democrats cast the secretary's testimony as evasive. Speaking to reporters ahead of the hearing, Comer said Lutnick's inconsistent narrative about whether he'd been on Epstein's infamous island "wasn't 100% truthful." But, according to committee Democrats who spoke to reporters after the closed-door session, Comer ultimately determined that the Trump appointee had committed no wrongdoing. Sponsor Message "There's only so many questions you can ask Howard Lutnick, who had a property next door to Epstein in New York," Comer told reporters while Democrats questioned Lutnick. The committee chair insisted that the two had spoken and interacted on only three occasions over a decade. "He's been very forthcoming with those interactions," Comer said. "We're bringing in some of the richest and most powerful people in the world. We're doing everything in our ability to get answers." he added. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., speaks to reporters on W...