Oversight Chairman James Comer says Lutnick has agreed to closed-door deposition, with transcript to be released publicly.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer announced Tuesday that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has agreed to voluntarily testify before the committee as part of its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
Comer disclosed the development in a post on X, stating that Lutnick has “proactively agreed to appear voluntarily” before the panel. In the statement posted online, Comer said he welcomed the secretary’s decision to participate.
“I commend his demonstrated commitment to transparency and appreciate his willingness to engage with the Committee,” Comer wrote. “I look forward to his testimony.”
The Oversight Committee is examining matters related to Epstein, the convicted sex offender whose associations with public figures have drawn scrutiny across multiple investigations.
Lutnick has faced questions over his past interactions with Epstein following statements made during his Senate confirmation process. During his confirmation hearing, Lutnick said he had ended contact with Epstein after initially meeting him in 2005. However, he acknowledged last month that he also had lunch with Epstein in 2012.
Comer did not provide a specific date for the deposition.
Both Lutnick and the White House confirmed the forthcoming testimony in statements to Axios. According to those statements, the deposition will be conducted behind closed doors, with a transcript later released to the public.
“I look forward to appearing before the committee,” Lutnick told Axios. “I have done nothing wrong and I want to set the record straight.”
Lutnick has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing.
The Oversight Committee has continued to pursue testimony and records related to Epstein’s network of contacts as part of its broader inquiry. The upcoming deposition marks the latest development in the panel’s ongoing review.
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