US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick agrees to interview on Epstein ties - ABC News

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was appointed by US President Donald Trump last year. (Reuters: Elizabeth Frantz)

In short:

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has agreed to appear before the House Oversight Committee as part of its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and his ties to prominent public figures.

Mr Lutnick, who last month told senators he "barely had anything to do with" Epstein, says he wants to "set the record straight".

What's next?

Mr Lutnick faces calls from both Democrats and Republicans to resign. The US Department of Commerce did not immediately comment.

US President Donald Trump's commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, has agreed to a transcribed interview with the House Oversight Committee over his past ties to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

"Secretary Lutnick has proactively agreed to appear voluntarily before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform," said panel chair James Comer.

"I commend his demonstrated commitment to transparency and appreciate his willingness to engage with the committee."

Mr Lutnick, appointed to his post by Mr Trump last year, now faces calls from both Democrats and Republicans to resign.

The US Department of Commerce did not immediately comment.

This week, the committee released more than nine hours of footage of former US president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton's depositions on their alleged ties to Epstein, as part of its investigation into the disgraced financier and his ties to prominent public figures.

Both Clintons distanced themselves in the videos.

Ms Clinton said she did not even recall meeting Epstein and Mr Clinton said he ended his relationship with him years before Epstein entered a guilty plea in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl.

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'Done nothing wrong', secretary says

Last month, Mr Lutnick told a Senate committee he "barely had anything to do with" Epstein, the financier and convicted sex offender.

He said the two men had exchanged only about 10 emails and had met three times over 14 years.

American news website Axios quoted Mr Lutnick as saying: "I look forward to appearing before the committee. I have done nothing wrong and I want to set the record straight."

Mr Lutnick said a lunch with Epstein took place only because he was on a boat near the island, adding that his family were present for the lunch.

The 64-year-old is one of a host of powerful men in politics, business and entertainment, including Mr Trump himself, who are under fire for their ties with Epstein.

Mr Lutnick is also in the hot seat over apparent contradictions between the newly released documents and his prior remarks about Epstein, who lived next door to him in New York when Lutnick was CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald.