Emergence of Epstein island photo leads to new calls for Lutnick to testify
Emergence of Epstein Island Photo Sparks Fresh Demands for Lutnick to Testify
A recent image depicting Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick with Jeffrey Epstein on the late sex offender’s private island has reignited scrutiny from lawmakers. The photograph, which was part of the Justice Department’s online collection of Epstein-related files uploaded in late January, was temporarily taken down from Justice.gov. However, a version preserved by the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine on January 31, 2026, still displayed the image.
According to a Justice Department spokesperson, the image was part of a batch flagged for nudity. The department explained that thousands of files were removed for review and are being reuploaded with necessary redactions. No files were deleted, the spokesperson added. Lutnick, however, has not responded to the incident, and the Commerce Department declined CNN’s requests for comment.
Lawmakers Push for Transparency
Several members of Congress, including at least one Republican on the House Oversight Committee, are now demanding clarity on the photo’s removal. On X, Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican, called for Lutnick to address the Oversight Committee. Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, a co-author of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, urged the Justice Department to explain the decision. “We need to know who pulled this file down so we can question them,” Massie said.
“Howard would go in and say whatever he has to say,” President Donald Trump told CNN’s Kristen Holmes. “He’s a very innocent guy, he’s doing a good job.”
Earlier this month, Lutnick testified before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee, where he was questioned about his ties to Epstein. Communications released by the Justice Department challenged his claim of cutting off contact with Epstein in 2005, revealing he had visited Epstein’s private Caribbean island, Little Saint James, in 2012. “We had lunch on the island, that is true, for an hour,” Lutnick stated during his testimony.
Divided Reactions from Congress
Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu accused the Justice Department of being involved in “the stupidest cover up in history” after the photo’s initial removal. Rep. James Walkinshaw, a Democrat on the Oversight Committee, also criticized Lutnick, claiming he had been “lying to the country” about his relationship with Epstein. The ranking Democrat on the committee, Rep. Robert Garcia, echoed these concerns, calling Lutnick’s actions “blatantly lying to the American people.”
“Quite frankly, he should resign or be removed from office,” Garcia said during an appearance on “CNN Newsroom.”
Following the House Oversight Committee’s deposition of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Rep. James Comer, the committee’s chairman, suggested it was “very possible” that Lutnick could be called in for further questioning. It remains unclear whether Comer had seen the photo when making this remark.
The controversy surrounding Lutnick’s connection to Epstein has also raised questions on Wall Street, though the White House has yet to comment. The Commerce Secretary’s past interactions with the convicted sex offender continue to draw bipartisan attention, with lawmakers seeking answers about the temporary disappearance of the image and its implications.
