In what can only be described as a masterclass in selective memory, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified before the House oversight committee about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, and Democrats were not impressed. Congressman Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) declared that if Donald Trump had seen the video transcript, "he would have fired Howard Lutnick." Given Trump's own history with Epstein, that's a bold hypothetical.
Lawmakers pointed out inconsistencies between Lutnick's podcast claims that he stopped associating with Epstein after 2005 and reality. The justice department's case files showed Lutnick attended a 2011 event at Epstein's home, and his family had lunch with Epstein on his private island in 2012 - four years after Epstein was sentenced to 13 months for procuring a minor for prostitution. Lutnick admitted to the 2012 lunch during his February 10 Senate testimony, saying he was "on a boat going across on a family vacation" and insisting he "barely had anything to do" with Epstein.
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.) noted that Lutnick "could remember nothing about the visit to the island. Couldn't remember why he was there. Couldn't remember anything he saw." Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.) was less diplomatic, calling Lutnick "a pathological liar who is enabling the most egregious cover-up in American history." Lutnick described his Epstein encounters as "meaningless and inconsequential," which is one way to describe lunch on a sex offender's private island.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration released a counter-terrorism strategy claiming migration has made Europe an "incubator" for terrorism. The strategy also targets "violent left-wing extremists" including "radically pro-transgender" groups, and places drug cartels at the center of efforts. But Europe gets the harshest language: "The more these alien cultures grow, and the longer current European policies persist, the more terrorism is guaranteed." Nothing says "diplomacy" like calling your allies' policies terrorist incubators.
In other Epstein news, his alleged suicide note has been unsealed, featuring the immortal line: "They investigated me for month - Found nuthing!!!" and "Whatcha want me to do - Burst out cryin!! No Fun - Not Worth It!!" The note appears to reference a 1931 Little Rascals short film. Epstein's brother and childhood friend did not respond to requests for comment, presumably because they were busy not being dead.
Rudy Giuliani, 81, is out of the ICU after being hospitalized for pneumonia. His spokesperson Ted Goodman released a statement noting that "the man who took down the Mafia, saved New York City, and ran toward the towers on September 11" is fighting pneumonia. The power of prayer is apparently working, though we're not sure if that's covered by Medicare.
Epstein survivors continue to push for accountability. The Epstein Files Transparency Act passed in November, releasing over 3.5 million pages of documents, but prosecutors haven't brought new charges. Ghislaine Maxwell, the only person convicted in connection with Epstein's network, was transferred from a low-security prison to a minimum-security federal camp in Texas. Because nothing says "justice" like moving a convicted sex trafficker to a camp.
In unrelated news, 18 people were arrested in a drug-trafficking investigation in Los Angeles's MacArthur Park. Law enforcement seized approximately 18 kilograms (40 pounds) of fentanyl from one defendant's Calabasas residence. First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli declared, "Today, we begin reclaiming MacArthur Park from criminals and drug addicts." We'll believe it when we see it.
And finally, Michael Marx, 45, of Midland, Texas, was charged in connection with Monday's shooting near JD Vance's motorcade. Marx allegedly fired at officers and was shot multiple times. After the confrontation, he reportedly said "F---k the White House" and "Kill me, kill me, kill me." US Attorney Jeanine Pirro promised to pursue "the most serious charges available."