US commerce secretary rejects Epstein hyperlinks amid bipartisan calls to step down: ‘Met 3 instances in 14 years’ – The Instances of India – Worldwide Dispatch

US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick on Tuesday strongly denied having any substantive relationship with the late financier and convicted intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein throughout testimony earlier than a Senate committee, at the same time as lawmakers from each events stepped up requires his resignation following the discharge of recent justice division recordsdata.Showing earlier than a Senate appropriations panel, Lutnick stated he had met Epstein solely 3 times over a span of 14 years and rejected claims of any private or skilled affiliation. “I didn’t have a relationship with Epstein,” Lutnick instructed lawmakers, including, “Over 14 years, I didn’t have any relationship with him. I barely had something to do with that individual.”The controversy stems from newly launched justice division data linked to the Epstein case, which embody emails and paperwork indicating contact between Lutnick and Epstein even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for intercourse crimes. Some data counsel social and enterprise interactions within the 2010s, prompting bipartisan scrutiny and allegations that Lutnick’s earlier public statements had been incomplete.In accordance with the paperwork, the fabric contains emails discussing potential conferences, references to visits to Epstein’s non-public island in 2012, and indications of shared enterprise pursuits, together with a reported joint funding in a expertise agency. Lutnick acknowledged a lunch with Epstein on a ship throughout a household trip however maintained that the interactions had been restricted. “I’ve carried out completely nothing unsuitable in any doable regard in relation to Epstein,” he stated.The disclosures have triggered requires accountability from each side of the aisle. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie stated, “He ought to simply resign,” whereas Democratic senator Adam Schiff wrote on social media, “Secretary Lutnick lied to the nation about his ties to Epstein… He has no enterprise being our commerce secretary. He ought to resign.” Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia additionally demanded that Lutnick step down or face additional questioning.Regardless of the rising stress, the White Home has stood by Lutnick. A spokesperson stated the administration remained targeted on its coverage agenda, whereas a commerce division spokesperson reiterated that Lutnick’s interactions with Epstein had been restricted and concerned no wrongdoing.Home oversight committee leaders have indicated that additional investigations might comply with, together with doable subpoenas, as extra Epstein-related paperwork are anticipated to be launched beneath the Epstein recordsdata transparency act.