Commerce chief Lutnick to face Epstein grilling in closed-door interview – US politics live
TL;DR
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will be questioned about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein in a closed-door interview with the Oversight Committee today. Lutnick previously acknowledged visiting Epstein's private island in 2012, contradicting earlier claims of severing ties in 2005.
Key points
- Howard Lutnick will be questioned by the Oversight Committee
- Lutnick acknowledged visiting Epstein's island in 2012
- His earlier claim was that he severed ties in 2005
- The DOJ deleted and restored a photo of Lutnick and Epstein
- Lutnick and Epstein were in business together as late as 2014
Mentioned in this story
Hello and welcome to the US politics live blog.
Commerce secretary Howard Lutnick will become the latest of Donald Trump’s cabinet to be questioned over ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein when he sits for a closed-door transcribed interview with the Oversight Committee later today.
Lutnick has acknowledged visiting Epstein’s private island in 2012 with family members – a trip that contradicted his earlier claim that he had severed ties with Epstein in 2005.
In March, the Department of Justice briefly deleted and then restored an undated photo of Lutnick and Epstein in an island setting. CBS News reported that Lutnick and Epstein were in business together as recently as 2014.
Jeffrey Epstein and Howard Lutnick, in blue shirt and white shorts Photograph: Department of Justice
Lutnick only agreed to the closed-door Capitol Hill testimony after Democrats on the committee publicly threatened to subpoena Lutnick if he refused to cooperate. Representative Ro Khanna of California told reporters that the votes were there to compel his testimony.
But getting to this stage has only been possible due to the cooperation of Republicans on the committee. Republican representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina called for Lutnick’s appearance, while James Comer, the Kentucky Republican who chairs the panel, said he had “proactively” agreed to the transcribed interview.
“I commend his demonstrated commitment to transparency and appreciate his willingness to engage with the Committee,” Comer said in a statement at the time.
It in unclear how many members will attend the interview but the commerce chief can expect to be probed over when his relationship with Epstein came to an end.
It comes as Politico reported last week that Mace has complained conversations with Epstein witnesses were taking place while members are out of town or traveling.
“Some of these are being scheduled when we are not in session, and that makes it more difficult,” she said. “They’re making it the most inconvenient for members of Congress to participate, and that is done on purpose.”
In other developments:
- A majority of Indiana Republican legislators whose opponents were backed by Donald Trump lost their primaries on Tuesday, giving the president wins in a deep-red state just months after lawmakers there rejected his redistricting plan. Of the seven Trump-endorsed challengers to state senate candidates, at least five won. More here.
- Democratic senator Sherrod Brown and Republican senator Jon Husted won their party’s nominations in Ohio’s primary elections, according to the Associated Press – teeing them up for what is expected to be a high-profile and expensive Senate race in November’s midterm elections. More here.
- Senate Republicans have released a new immigration enforcement funding package that includes a proposed $1bn that could go to security measures related to the $400m ballroom that is part of Donald Trump’s “East Wing modernization project”. More here.
- Marco Rubio argued the US is in a “very fortunate” position as fuel prices continue to climb nationwide amid disruption sparked by the US-Israel war on Iran. With average US fuel prices now approaching $4.50 a gallon – their highest level in four years – the US secretary of state was asked on Tuesday how long Americans should accept them at such levels. Other countries were suffering “big time”, Rubio replied. More here.
- Seven of the leading contenders in California’s unexpectedly dramatic race for governor faced off on the debate stage Tuesday night, with the stakes now higher because ballots are in the mail. Becerra was a top target, as expected, given his steady rise in the polls. More here.
Explore more on these topics
Q&A
What is Howard Lutnick being questioned about?
Howard Lutnick is being questioned about his ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
When did Howard Lutnick visit Jeffrey Epstein's private island?
Howard Lutnick visited Jeffrey Epstein's private island in 2012.
What did Lutnick previously claim about his relationship with Epstein?
Lutnick previously claimed he severed ties with Epstein in 2005.
What recent developments have occurred regarding Lutnick and Epstein?
Recent developments include the Department of Justice deleting and then restoring a photo of Lutnick and Epstein, and reports of their business ties as recently as 2014.
