May 15, 2026 - Washington, D.C. — On Thursday, Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and every Oversight Democrat demanded Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick resign following a transcribed interview with the Committee in which he could not explain why he lied about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and refused to take responsibility for his actions. The letter outlines clear contradictions between Lutnick’s statements and the truth. The full transcript of the transcribed interview can be viewed here.

Related: After Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick Admits to Visiting Jeffrey Epstein’s Island in 2012, Nevada U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen Calls for His Resignation

California U.S. Senator Adam Schiff Calls for President Trump’s Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to Resign After Lying About His Business Ties to Epstein

“Secretary Lutnick claimed publicly that he was never ‘with’ Jeffrey Epstein after 2005. That was a lie. Secretary Lutnick spent his interview trying to cover up his lie and hide from the truth. He couldn’t explain bringing his family to Epstein’s island years after he claimed to have cut ties, even after he found Epstein to be deeply unsettling. It’s clear that Secretary Lutnick does not have the judgement, trust, or credibility to serve the American public and he should resign immediately. If he refuses to resign, then Donald Trump must fire him,” said Ranking Member Robert Garcia.

In the letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the Members wrote, “We demand your resignation as secretary of the Department of Commerce. During your May 6, 2026, transcribed interview regarding your relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, you were unable to explain why you lied about the length and depth of your relationship with Epstein. You attempted to evade responsibility for your actions and avoided being clear with the American people. The facts are clear: you lied to the American people and attempted to conceal your relationship with Jeffrey Epstein in your public statements. Your lack of candor demonstrates that you are unfit to perform the duties required of you as secretary of Commerce, and you must step down immediately.”

In October 2025, Ranking Member Garcia called on Secretary Lutnick to sit before the Oversight Committee to testify about his knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein and his crimes after he explicitly said that Epstein was the “greatest blackmailer ever,” contradicted statements from other senior Trump Administration officials, including sworn testimony by Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel.

Source: House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform-Democrats