Calls for Accountability: U.S. Officials Navigate Epstein Fallout

Wed Feb 11 2026 01:08:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faces bipartisan calls for his resignation after newly revealed connections to Jeffrey Epstein contradict his prior statements.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick acknowledged meeting with Jeffrey Epstein in 2011 and 2012 despite claims of severing ties after 2005, leading to calls for his resignation from both Democrats and Republicans. As Americans grapple with accountability in the Epstein saga, tensions rise within political circles, reflecting a broader demand for transparency and responsibility from influential figures.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Under scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has confirmed that he met with Jeffrey Epstein on two occasions after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. This admission contradicts Lutnick's previous claims that he cut ties with the notorious financier in 2005.

During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Lutnick minimized the nature of his connection with Epstein, describing their interactions as limited to a few emails and two meetings spaced years apart. I did not have any relationship with him. I barely had anything to do with him, Lutnick asserted.

However, the release of Epstein's case files has intensified scrutiny on Lutnick, fueling bipartisan calls for his resignation. Lawmakers expressed outrage at his earlier claims, especially in light of evidence suggesting he had lunch with Epstein in 2012 on Epstein’s private island and another engagement at Epstein’s residence in 2011.

The situation poses a significant test of political accountability, particularly as Lutnick is among the highest-ranking U.S. officials implicated in Epstein's extensive network of powerful individuals. The Epstein files have sparked resignations and consequences across the Atlantic in the UK, while U.S. counterparts seem to have faced lesser repercussions.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen emphasized to Lutnick the importance of transparency and the public's right to know the truth, stating, There’s not an indication that you yourself engaged in any wrongdoing with Jeffrey Epstein. It’s the fact that you believe that you misled the country and the Congress based on your earlier statements.”

In light of the revelations, calls for Lutnick's resignation have crossed party lines, with figures like Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) urging action. Khanna highlighted the need for accountability among the elite, saying, We have to make a decision. Are we going to allow the rich and powerful people who are friends and had no problem doing business and showing up with a pedophile who is raping underage girls, are we just going to allow them to skate?”

The unfolding controversy serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics at play in the fight for transparency and justice surrounding high-profile individuals linked to Epstein.