U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faced intense questioning during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing yesterday, Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
While the session was intended to review Department of Commerce funding and broadband deployment, it was dominated by scrutiny over his past associations with Jeffrey Epstein.
Lutnick admitted under oath that he and his family had lunch on Epstein’s private island in 2012. He characterized the visit as a brief one-hour stop during a family vacation and insisted he “barely had anything to do” with Epstein.
The “grilling” was intensified by newly released Department of Justice files suggesting more extensive contact than Lutnick previously claimed, including business dealings as recently as 2014 and several scheduled meetings in 2011.
The revelation sparked bipartisan criticism. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) joined Democrats like Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) in expressing concerns about his credibility, with some calling for his resignation.
Despite the pressure, the White House has maintained its support, stating that Lutnick remains an “important member” of the administration.
Analysts suggest this hearing provides a “grim glimpse” into a future where the administration faces persistent legal and ethical scrutiny.
The fallout complicates the administration’s policy agenda, as the controversy overshadowed Lutnick’s testimony regarding significant proposed cuts in the 2026 budget, including a 16.5% reduction for the Department of Commerce and $1.5 billion in cuts to NOAA.
By Anthony Solly
