1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to call for Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's resignation in light of the recently released documents revealing his extensive connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The integrity of our government institutions depends on officials maintaining the highest ethical standards, and Lutnick's documented relationship with Epstein raises serious questions about his judgment and credibility. Lutnick's name appeared in more than 250 recently released documents related to Epstein. These files documented multiple interactions between the two men, including a May 2011 appointment at Epstein's home, a planned 2012 visit to Epstein's private island Little St. James with Lutnick's family, a November 2015 invitation from Lutnick to Epstein for a Hillary Clinton campaign fundraising event, and 2018 discussions about nearby museum construction plans. This pattern of contact contradicts Lutnick's 2024 claim to the New York Post that he cut ties with Epstein in 2005, vowing he would "never be in the room with that disgusting person ever again." The Commerce Department's dismissal of these revelations as "a failing attempt by the legacy media to distract from the administration's accomplishments" is inadequate. While Lutnick has not been accused of wrongdoing, his willingness to maintain a relationship with a known sex offender and his subsequent misrepresentation of that relationship demonstrate a fundamental lack of judgment unsuitable for a Cabinet position. Representative Thomas Massie has already called for Lutnick's resignation, stating that officials in Great Britain have stepped down for less serious matters. I agree with this assessment. The survivors of Epstein's crimes deserve accountability, and that begins with ensuring that those who maintained relationships with him face appropriate consequences. I urge you to publicly call for Secretary Lutnick's resignation and support congressional oversight of this matter. Our government must demonstrate that ethical lapses have real consequences.