• US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick agreed to testify about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
• Lutnick has acknowledged visiting Epstein's private island in 2012.
• His testimony follows recent hearings involving former Presidents Bill and Hillary Clinton.
• He previously claimed to have cut ties with Epstein in 2005, raising questions about his earlier statements.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has agreed to provide testimony to the House Oversight Committee regarding his connections to the late Jeffrey Epstein. Committee Chairman James Comer announced Lutnick's voluntary appearance, commending his "demonstrated commitment to transparency" during this congressional inquiry, which scrutinizes Epstein's extensive network of powerful associates according to BBC and Al Jazeera.

Lutnick, who had previously stated he cut ties with Epstein in 2005, has faced increased scrutiny following revelations of his visit to Epstein's private Caribbean island in 2012. This visit, along with new findings from Justice Department files, contradicts Lutnick's earlier claims and raises concerns about his actual relationship with Epstein, according to Reuters and Anadolu Agency.

In response to mounting pressure to clarify his past associations, Lutnick expressed his intent to "set the record straight," emphasizing that he has done nothing wrong. His planned testimony follows the recent depositions of Bill and Hillary Clinton, both of whom denied prior knowledge of Epstein's crimes and stated they had severed ties with him before his 2008 conviction in Florida, as highlighted by Al Jazeera and Reuters.

Comer indicated that if Lutnick failed to cooperate, the committee would consider issuing a subpoena, stressing the importance of gathering comprehensive testimonies in the ongoing investigation into Epstein's network and his connections with various public figures according to Anadolu Agency.