Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is scheduled to appear before a House panel to answer questions about his past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender. The hearing comes after House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer publicly stated that Lutnick had not been fully forthcoming about his ties to Epstein, including visits to Epstein's private island.

Chairman Comer's remarks, made ahead of the scheduled questioning, represent an unusual rebuke of a Cabinet official by the chairman of the committee responsible for overseeing the executive branch — and one from the same party as the president who appointed Lutnick. Comer said Lutnick had not been 'one hundred percent truthful' in prior communications with the committee about the extent of his contact with Epstein.

Representative Ro Khanna and other members of Congress have pushed for the questioning, arguing that the public deserves clarity on what connections, if any, Lutnick had with Epstein's network. The hearing is part of broader congressional interest in examining figures with documented or alleged ties to Epstein following years of incomplete public disclosure about his associates.

Lutnick, who was confirmed as Commerce Secretary after being nominated by President Trump, has not publicly detailed the nature of his relationship with Epstein. The scope of the panel's questioning is expected to focus on the frequency and context of any meetings or travel involving Epstein's properties. The White House has not issued a formal statement addressing the hearing ahead of its scheduled start.