Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is now at the center of a political storm, with leaders from both parties urging his resignation following new revelations about his links to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. This controversy erupted after recent disclosures from a Justice Department file shed light on Lutnick's interactions with Epstein, contradicting his previous statements about the nature of their relationship.

Democratic Senator Adam Schiff of California publicly criticized Lutnick, accusing him of dishonesty regarding his past dealings with Epstein. In a statement released Monday, Schiff expressed serious concerns about Lutnick's judgment and ethics, stating, “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.”

The revelations come from a set of files indicating that Lutnick had planned a visit to Epstein’s Caribbean island years after he claimed to have severed ties with Epstein in 2005. This information starkly contrasts with Lutnick's previous public statements, where he vowed never to be in the same room as Epstein again.

The Commerce Department has yet to respond to these allegations. However, a spokesperson previously defended Lutnick, stating he had "limited interactions with Mr. Epstein in the presence of his wife and has never been accused of wrongdoing."

The bipartisan pressure for Lutnick’s resignation is mounting. Republican Representative Thomas Massie from Kentucky suggested that Lutnick should resign to alleviate pressure on the President. Likewise, Democratic Representative Robert Garcia echoed similar sentiments on social media, emphasizing the need for Lutnick to answer questions regarding his relationship with Epstein.

House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.), who is currently leading an investigation into Epstein’s network, mentioned that while the committee is prioritizing other subpoenas, they are open to gathering information from anyone that could contribute to justice for the victims, including potentially subpoenaing Lutnick.

As calls for his resignation intensify, the future of Lutnick’s role as Commerce Secretary remains uncertain. The political and public scrutiny is likely to continue as further details emerge from the ongoing investigations.

*Hailey Fuchs contributed to this report.*