US Commerce Secretary Faces Epstein Backlash

In the US, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick came under intense criticism from Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday over his past ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with several members of Congress calling for his resignation.

The controversy emerged as a House oversight committee continues investigating Epstein’s network, including questions surrounding how the disgraced financier accumulated his wealth and whether influential figures helped shield him from scrutiny before he died in prison in 2019.

Recently released documents reportedly showed that Lutnick maintained contact with Epstein for longer than he had previously acknowledged publicly.

During a Senate hearing, Lutnick admitted visiting Epstein’s private Caribbean Island in 2012, years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction involving sex crimes against minors.

Lutnick denied any wrongdoing, stating that he witnessed no criminal activity during what he described as a family visit.

Democratic Representative Ro Khanna accused Lutnick of attempting to reinterpret earlier remarks in which he claimed he never wanted to be in the same room as Epstein following a 2005 meeting.

The renewed scrutiny adds to mounting political pressure surrounding public figures linked to Epstein, whose connections to prominent business and political elites continue to draw widespread attention in the US.