Comer says Lutnick wasn’t ‘100% truthful’ about Epstein ties
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said ahead of Wednesday’s hearing that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was not “100% truthful” about whether he visited Jeffrey epstein’s island. Comer noted he had not seen wrongdoing in email correspondence but said Lutnick’s statements about being on the island may have been inaccurate, adding that the committee would release transcripts for scrutiny.
Comer’s remarks came before Lutnick testified as part of the committee’s inquiry into Epstein. While Lutnick has denied having a relationship with Epstein and said he “barely had anything to do” with him, the Justice Department’s released Epstein files indicate Lutnick and his family briefly visited the island in 2012. Comer said many committee members wanted to hear lutnick’s account directly and that he expects “some more answers,” including clarifying how long Lutnick was there and with whom.
Comer also emphasized the investigation’s bipartisan nature and said he is the first oversight chairman to bring a Cabinet secretary of his own party to testify. He added that former Attorney General Pam Bondi will testify on May 29,and referenced prior closed-door depositions and released video testimony from Bill and Hillary Clinton.
House oversight committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s hearing that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had not been “100% truthful” about visiting convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein‘s island.
“I haven’t seen wrongdoing in the email correspondence, but he wasn’t 100% truthful with whether or not he had been on the island,” Comer said. “So we’ll see. And we’ll obviously release the transcripts and everyone can see for themselves.”
Recommended Stories
Comer’s comments came ahead of Lutnick’s Wednesday testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform as part of the committee’s investigation into Epstein. Lutnick, Epstein’s former neighbor in Manhattan, was mentioned in the Epstein files several times, but he has not been accused of any wrongdoing and has maintained that he has “barely had anything to do with” Epstein.
“I did not have any relationship with him,” Lutnick testified before the Senate in February. “I barely had anything to do with that person.”
The Epstein files released by the Department of Justice this winter revealed that Lutnick and his family briefly visited Epstein’s island in 2012, a point that Comer told reporters he would ask about during Wednesday’s testimony. Comer said that “many of the members” of his committee wanted to hear Lutnick’s testimony.
“I’ll add he’s come in voluntarily, so I appreciate that,” Comer said. “So, hopefully we’ll have some more answers. We haven’t talked to too many people that have admitted they’ve been on the island. So it’s my understanding, he wasn’t on the island very long, and he was there with his wife and kids. But we’ll see what he says.”
Comer added that he is the first oversight committee chairman to bring in a Cabinet secretary of his own party. He also noted that former Attorney General Pam Bondi is testifying on May 29.
ROBERT GARCIA PUSHES JAMES COMER TO FILM AND RELEASE BONDI’S TESTIMONY ON EPSTEIN FILES
“I think people can see that this is a bipartisan investigation,” Comer said. “We’re really, sincerely trying to get the truth. Our goal is to provide justice for the victims, and hopefully today will be helpful.”
The committee also ran closed-door depositions for former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in late February. The committee released the full videos of the Clintons’ testimonies on March 2, just days after their Feb. 27 and 28 depositions.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
