House Oversight Chair Hints at Possible Deposition of Lutnick in Epstein Investigation

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer indicated Thursday that compelling Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to testify about his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell is “very possible.” This statement comes as the committee continues its extensive investigation into the notorious figures.

In Chappaqua, New York, while preparing for a deposition of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Comer responded to inquiries about a potential subpoena for Lutnick, a close associate of former President Donald Trump who had previously sought the Treasury Secretary position after serving as finance chief for the 2024 campaign.

“I think it’s a good possibility that his name will arise in some questioning today,” Comer stated, hinting at the direction of the ongoing inquiry.

Defending the committee's decision to summon Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, Comer emphasized that their investigation is not politically motivated. “This isn’t just about Democrats. This is about anyone that has any knowledge of Epstein,” he asserted.

The prospect of Lutnick facing a congressional subpoena follows intensified scrutiny regarding his past interactions with Epstein, who was once his neighbor in New York. Recent documents from the Justice Department revealed discrepancies in Lutnick's previous claims about severing ties with Epstein after a 2005 encounter that he described as unsettling enough to vow never to associate with him again.

These “Epstein Files” included emails indicating that Lutnick maintained contact with Epstein until as recently as 2018, well after Epstein's incarceration for state-level offenses related to his exploitation of minors. Notably, Lutnick even organized a visit to Epstein’s infamous “rape island” in 2012.

While being mentioned in the Epstein files does not imply guilt, the implications are significant. During sworn testimony before the Senate Commerce Committee on February 11, Lutnick acknowledged visiting the controversial island but insisted there was nothing inappropriate about the trip.

“I did have lunch with him while on a boat during a family vacation. My wife, four children, and nannies were with me,” he explained. “We had lunch on the island for an hour and left with all my children and nannies.”

Lutnick further claimed he had “no relationship with” Epstein and “barely had anything to do with that person.”

Since his Senate appearance, calls for Lutnick’s resignation have emerged from lawmakers across party lines. However, President Trump has stood by Lutnick, continuing to include him on various trips aboard Air Force One.