Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) said Thursday it is “very possible” that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick could be called to testify before the House Oversight Committee as part of its ongoing investigation related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“That’s very possible,” Comer told reporters in New York ahead of a deposition with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, adding there was “a good possibility” Lutnick’s name could come up during questioning.
“It’ll be on my list,” Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) added. Mace was one of four Republicans who signed a discharge petition last year seeking to compel the Justice Department (DOJ) to release its files related to Epstein.
Lutnick has faced bipartisan calls to resign in recent weeks following disclosures in the latest batch of DOJ-released documents indicating that he maintained ties with Epstein longer than previously acknowledged.
The Commerce secretary had long said he ended contact with Epstein shortly after becoming his neighbor in 2005. However, during a Senate hearing this month, Lutnick acknowledged that his relationship with Epstein was more extensive than he had previously described.
Although Lutnick suggested in October that he had cut all ties with Epstein in 2005, records indicate he continued to have contact with Epstein for years afterward. The newly released materials show that Lutnick brought his children to Epstein’s private island, Little Saint James, for lunch in 2012.
CBS News also reported this month that Lutnick and Epstein were involved in business dealings as recently as 2014.
Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly criticized Lutnick last week, accusing him of misleading the public about the extent of his relationship with Epstein.
“This is supposed to be a more transparent administration, and what President Trump doesn’t need is a liar in the position of commerce secretary, about something as serious as your connections with Jeffrey Epstein, and it was such a bold-faced lie,” she said. “Like, not only was he in a room with him, he went to the guy’s island! He started a business with him, reports CBS! I mean, about as bold as you could get.”
Kelly added, “He owes the rest of us an apology for lying to our faces.”
Politico reported Thursday that Lutnick is in “hot water” with President Donald Trump, who is reportedly concerned “about how much Lutnick’s family has been profiting off their association with the president’s brand.”
The White House has dismissed calls for Lutnick to resign, and he has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing.
Comer’s remarks suggest that a subpoena could be considered as the Oversight Committee continues its investigation.
“I want to remind everyone that we’ve already brought in Alex Acosta and Bill Barr for depositions. That’s two Republicans in the Trump administration,” Comer said. “So, this isn’t just about Democrats. This is about anyone that has had knowledge of Epstein [or] the investigation.”
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