Washington D.C. – The fallout from the unsealed Jeffrey Epstein files continues to send shockwaves through political circles, with two prominent congressional lawmakers now demanding the resignation or termination of Howard Lutnick, the current Commerce Secretary under the Trump administration. Revelations from a comprehensive New York Times report suggest Lutnick’s ties to the disgraced financier were far more extensive and prolonged than he had previously disclosed.
Bipartisan Calls for Accountability
Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), a key figure behind the Epstein Files Transparency Act, minced no words in his call for Lutnick to step down. Appearing on CNN’s “Inside Politics Sunday,” Massie stated, “He should just resign. Howard Lutnick clearly went to the island if we believe what’s in these files; he was in business with Jeffrey Epstein, and this was many years after Jeffrey Epstein was convicted.” Massie further emphasized that Lutnick has “a lot to answer for” and should “make life easier on the president, frankly, and just resign.”
Echoing this sentiment, but taking an even firmer stance, was Representative Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), the ranking member on the House Oversight Committee. In a late Sunday post on X, Garcia asserted, “It’s now clear that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has been lying about his relationship with Epstein. He said he had no interactions with Epstein after 2005, yet we now know they were in business together. Lutnick must resign or be fired. And he must answer our questions.”
Unraveling the Extent of the Relationship
The core of the controversy stems from a stark contrast between Lutnick’s previous public statements and the details emerging from the newly released Department of Justice files. Lutnick, former chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, had claimed on the “Pod Force One” podcast last year that he severed all contact with Epstein after an initial encounter in 2005.
Beyond a Single Encounter: New Revelations
However, the New York Times analysis paints a dramatically different picture. The report indicates that Lutnick and Epstein, who were next-door neighbors in New York City, interacted “regularly” for years after 2005. Specific details include:
- Epstein reportedly invited Lutnick to his notorious private Caribbean island.
- The two communicated about construction projects near their homes.
- They shared drinks in 2011, years after Lutnick claimed to have cut ties.
- Epstein’s lawyer allegedly obtained the resume of Lutnick’s nanny.
- Epstein made a $50,000 donation to an event honoring Lutnick.
- Both men invested in the now-defunct company AdFin Solutions.
Wider Implications and Official Response
The calls for Lutnick’s departure come amidst a broader international reckoning, as the Epstein files have implicated numerous public figures. Massie highlighted that several British officials, including Morgan McSweeney, chief of staff to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have already faced repercussions or resigned due to their connections revealed in the documents.
In response to the mounting pressure and the New York Times
report, a Commerce Department spokesperson told the Times that Lutnick had “very limited interactions” with Epstein. The spokesperson dismissed the report as a “failing attempt by the legacy media to distract from the administration’s accomplishments,” a defense that is unlikely to quell the bipartisan demands for answers and accountability. CNBC has reached out to both the Commerce Department and the White House for further comment.
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