STATEMENT: Sen. Schiff Calls for Secretary Howard Lutnick to Resign After Lying About His Business Ties to Epstein

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) released the following statement following the release of files revealing that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was in business with Jeffrey Epstein, in addition to being in communication with him over many years, after repeatedly denying his ties to the convicted sex offender.

"Howard Lutnick lied to the American people about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. For months he's claimed to have spent 'zero time' with him. Now, in the Epstein Files, we learn that the two were in business together years after Epstein was first convicted, with Lutnick even planning to visit Epstein's private island.

"Lutnick's lies about his business dealings with a convicted child sex offender, raise serious concerns about his judgement and ethics. Lutnick has no business being our Commerce Secretary, and he should resign immediately.

"We must not forget that this information only came to light months after the Trump Administration was required by law to release the Epstein Files. Damning revelations like these demonstrate exactly why Donald Trump and the Department of Justice have slow walked and obscured the release of this information from the beginning. The truth must come out, and I will continue to demand a full and independent investigation into how Trump's attorneys at DOJ have handled these files, to ensure full accountability and that nothing is withheld. The victims of Epstein and his conspirators deserve nothing less."

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