House Oversight Chair Eyes Lutnick Deposition in Epstein Probe
House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer has indicated that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick could soon face a congressional subpoena as part of the panel's ongoing investigation into sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Speaking to reporters in Chappaqua, New York on Thursday, Comer described the possibility of compelling Lutnick's testimony as "very possible."
Bipartisan Scrutiny Intensifies
The chairman's comments come amid mounting bipartisan pressure on Lutnick, a longtime friend of President Donald Trump who previously served as finance chief for Trump's 2024 campaign. Comer defended his committee's approach, noting they had already heard testimony from two former Trump cabinet members and were now seeking evidence from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton.
"This isn't just about Democrats. This is about anyone that has any knowledge of Epstein," Comer emphasized, underscoring the committee's broad mandate in the high-profile probe.
Revelations About Island Visit
Lutnick's potential deposition follows weeks of intensified scrutiny after Justice Department documents revealed he had misrepresented his relationship with Epstein during an October 2025 interview with the New York Post. In that interview, Lutnick claimed to have severed all contact with Epstein following a disturbing 2005 encounter, vowing to "never be in the room with that disgusting person ever again."
However, the released "Epstein Files" contained emails showing Lutnick maintained ties with Epstein as late as 2018 and even arranged a visit to Epstein's private Caribbean island in 2012. The island, part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, has been infamously dubbed "rape island" by media outlets due to allegations of sexual abuse occurring there.
Contradictory Testimony Emerges
During sworn testimony before the Senate Commerce Committee on February 11, Lutnick admitted to visiting the island but denied any inappropriate conduct. "I did have lunch with him, as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation. My wife was with me, as were my four children and nannies," he told Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland.
Lutnick described the visit as lasting approximately one hour during a family trip, adding "I don't recall why we did it." Despite this admission, he maintained in his testimony that he "did not have any relationship with" Epstein and "barely had anything to do with that person."
Political Fallout and Presidential Support
In the weeks since his Senate appearance, lawmakers from both major parties have called for Lutnick's resignation from his cabinet position. Nevertheless, President Trump has steadfastly refused to dismiss him, continuing to include Lutnick in official travel aboard Air Force One.
Comer's suggestion that Lutnick's name "will arise in some questioning today" during Hillary Clinton's deposition indicates the commerce secretary remains a significant figure in the committee's expanding investigation. The Oversight Committee's probe continues to examine connections between various political figures and the Epstein-Maxwell network, with Lutnick now potentially joining the list of witnesses compelled to provide formal testimony.
