Capitol Hill scrutiny for Lutnick over Epstein ties and island visit

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faces a House Oversight Committee grilling after Justice Department Epstein files show years of contact with Jeffrey Epstein, including a 2012 family trip to Epstein’s private Caribbean island. The released emails (2009–2018) reveal intermittent communication, discussions related to Prince Andrew and Cantor Fitzgerald, and mutual financial links via AdFin. Lutnick has denied wrongdoing but later acknowledged visiting Epstein’s island; Democrats question his credibility and potential influence as he testifies amid ongoing scrutiny of Epstein’s associates.