WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 - U.S. Commerce Department Secretary Howard Lutnick sought on Tuesday to distance himself from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein amid growing bipartisan calls for his resignation after new documents surfaced.
At a Senate hearing, Lutnick said he had "barely had anything to do with" Epstein, asserting the two men exchanged roughly 10 emails over a 14-year span. He addressed one specific item that has drawn scrutiny: emails disclosed in a package of documents the U.S. Justice Department published in January, described by officials as numbering in the millions, that included messages suggesting Lutnick visited Epstein's private island for lunch years after Lutnick said he had cut ties.
Under questioning from Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen, Lutnick defended his conduct and offered context for the reported island visit. He said the lunch took place only because he happened to be on a boat near the island and that members of his family were present. He reiterated his broader position about the relationship in a direct statement to the Senate Committee.
"I did not have any relationship with him. I barely had anything to do with that person," he said.
The Senate exchange takes place against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny in Congress. Lawmakers noted that Lutnick now faces pressure from both Republican and Democratic members to step down.
The hearing followed a deposition on Monday in which Ghislaine Maxwell, a known associate of Epstein, declined to answer questions before the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, according to lawmakers. Maxwell's refusal drew criticism from members on both sides of the aisle.
Officials and lawmakers continue to reference the recently released Justice Department records as the catalyst for renewed questions about past contacts between public figures and Epstein. Lutnick's testimony focused on minimizing the extent of his interactions, while members of Congress emphasized the need for accountability and clarity.
At this stage, Lutnick has maintained that his interactions with Epstein were limited and that the reported meeting was incidental. The situation remains fluid as congressional oversight continues and public attention persists on the disclosures contained in the Justice Department's release.