House Democrats on Wednesday blasted Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's closed-door testimony before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, arguing that his claimed lack of knowledge about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's crimes represents an "egregious cover-up."

Lutnick appeared for a transcribed interview as part of the committee's investigation into Epstein. Lawmakers have sought to question Lutnick since the release of Epstein files showed he was in contact with the disgraced financier more recently than he had initially indicated, and after he admitted earlier this year to visiting Epstein's private island in 2012.

Lutnick had previously told senators he cut off contact with Epstein after first meeting him in 2005. He has denied any wrongdoing.

What the Right Is Saying

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) dismissed Democrats' remarks, arguing that they came out "telling you all stuff that was said that was not said."

"So we asked some very substantive questions the first hour. The Democrats, during their hour, repeated the exact same questions, because there's only so many questions you can ask Howard Lutnick, who lived — had a property next door to Epstein in New York, talked to him three times over a decade, three interactions over a decade," Comer said.

The Republican chairman added that he felt Lutnick has been "very transparent" during the investigation.

"The only thing that I've seen that Lutnick did wrong … wasn't 100 percent truthful on the brief visit to the island with his family. He corrected that in his opening statement," Comer said. "And you know, we'll see. We'll continue our investigation, and if we find that there were any misstatements by Lutnick. It's a felony to lie to Congress and he'll be held accountable."

What the Left Is Saying

Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.) told reporters that Lutnick, among other things, did not "remember why he went" to Epstein's island, which the Virginia Democrat called "mind boggling."

"He somehow remembers going to the island after pictures surfaced of him being at the island, but he doesn't remember why he went to the island, and we had the emails. That's why we found out he was at the island," Subramanyam said alongside fellow Democrats outside the room where the interview was taking place. "This is absolutely absurd, and he should resign."

Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.) argued that Lutnick is a "pathological liar who is enabling the most egregious cover-up in American history."

Ansari said she focused her questions on how Lutnick could have visited Epstein's island "if him and his wife were truly so uncomfortable, especially when in 2008 we know that Jeffrey Epstein was accused and the sweetheart deal took place for soliciting a minor."

"Howard Lutnick tried to tell us in that room that he essentially didn't know any of that," she said. "I asked him, 'How did I as a child at the time see this all over the media about Jeffrey Epstein and you, an adult who was this person's neighbor, who had engaged with him before — how could you possibly not have known?'"

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said, "We know why that interview was not videotaped. If Donald Trump had seen the video transcript, he would have fired Howard Lutnick."

What the Numbers Show

Lutnick is the latest powerful person — and the first Cabinet official — to testify in the House Oversight Committee's probe into Epstein.

Former President Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appeared before the committee earlier this year. Former Attorney General Pam Bondi is slated to appear later this month.

According to Comer, Lutnick had three interactions with Epstein over a decade, maintained a property next door to Epstein in New York, and visited Epstein's island with his family — including his wife and children — for approximately two hours for lunch with six members of his friend's family.

Lutnick previously told "Pod Force One" host Miranda Devine that Epstein was a "disgusting person" from whom he and his wife kept their distance. He described his interaction with the financier during a tour of Epstein's home, noting the space centered around a massage table surrounded by candles.

The Bottom Line

The interview comes as part of an ongoing congressional investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's network of associates. Democrats criticized the decision not to videotape Lutnick's testimony, arguing it lacks transparency and accountability.

Lutnick is the highest-ranking administration official to testify in the Epstein probe thus far. His testimony follows revelations that his contacts with Epstein continued longer than he initially disclosed to Congress.

Comer indicated the committee will continue its investigation and noted that any material misstatements by Lutnick could constitute a felony. The panel has scheduled additional interviews, including with former Attorney General Pam Bondi later this month.