The political fallout from the latest release of the Epstein files is rapidly escalating, placing renewed pressure on the Trump administration and senior officials connected to the disgraced financier. Lawmakers from both parties are now calling for resignations, congressional testimony, and the full disclosure of millions of documents that remain sealed.

At the center of the controversy is Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. According to newly released records, Lutnick maintained an extensive business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein well after Epstein’s 2005 conviction for sexual crimes. These revelations directly contradict Lutnick’s public statements in which he denied any interactions with Epstein after that period.

Democratic members of Congress have accused Lutnick of lying to the American public and potentially misleading President Trump himself. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie has gone further, stating that Lutnick should not merely testify before Congress but should resign outright, arguing that the evidence strongly suggests deeper involvement than previously acknowledged.

The scrutiny comes as lawmakers prepare for a pivotal week on Capitol Hill. Members of Congress will gain access to unredacted versions of three million Epstein-related documents recently released by the Justice Department. However, officials have confirmed that another three million files remain undisclosed, fueling bipartisan frustration and suspicion over what information is still being withheld.

Adding to the urgency, the House Oversight Committee is scheduled to depose Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate and a convicted accomplice. Lawmakers expect Maxwell to invoke her Fifth Amendment rights, as she has done in other proceedings, potentially limiting the immediate value of her testimony. Nevertheless, members of Congress argue that her appearance under oath remains critical, particularly given unresolved questions about additional co-conspirators, financial networks, and potential ties to foreign governments.

Oversight Democrats have also raised concerns about Maxwell’s prior meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche last year, after which she was transferred to a lower-security federal prison. Lawmakers say they intend to question whether that conversation resulted in preferential treatment and whether it affected the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files.

Attention has also turned to statements Maxwell previously made regarding Donald Trump. In those remarks, she described Trump in glowing terms and denied witnessing any inappropriate behavior. Several lawmakers have openly questioned her credibility, suggesting such comments may reflect an effort to secure leniency or a future pardon. Critics note that while Maxwell has not received a pardon, her prison transfer has raised eyebrows.

On Wednesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi is expected to defend the Justice Department’s approach to the Epstein files before the House Judiciary Committee. Lawmakers are likely to press her on why only half of the total six million documents have been released and whether political considerations are influencing the pace and scope of disclosure.

Beyond individual accountability, lawmakers emphasize that the broader objective is justice for survivors. Advocacy groups have renewed calls for transparency, arguing that full disclosure is essential not only to expose perpetrators but also to enable legal action in jurisdictions without statutes of limitation for sexual crimes. Oversight Committee members say they are particularly focused on tracing Epstein’s financial networks, including subpoenaing bank and transaction records that could reveal additional participants.

Comparisons with international responses have further intensified criticism. In several countries, politicians have resigned or faced criminal investigations over Epstein-related ties. By contrast, U.S. federal authorities are being accused of moving too slowly, continuing a pattern that critics trace back decades to earlier prosecutorial failures that allowed Epstein to evade meaningful accountability.

Lawmakers argue that sustained public pressure will be necessary to ensure consequences follow. While some officials have resigned abroad, members of Congress warn that political power and institutional inertia in Washington often shield those at the highest levels. As one lawmaker put it, transparency is only the first step—accountability must follow.

As Congress pushes for the release of the remaining files, the Epstein case is once again testing the credibility of American institutions. Whether this renewed scrutiny leads to resignations, prosecutions, or structural reforms remains uncertain, but lawmakers insist the moment demands answers—for the sake of both democracy and the survivors still seeking justice.