Howard Latnik, the US Trade Minister, confirmed on Tuesday that he had lunch in 2012 on the private island of the deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. However, he denied having any closer relationship with Epstein, despite increasing scrutiny over his admissions. This acknowledgment comes as a growing number of US Congress members urge Latnik to resign from his position in the Trump administration, following the release of documents by the Justice Department that contradict his earlier statements claiming he severed ties with Epstein over 20 years ago.

In light of these recent revelations, some Congress members have expressed outrage at Latnik's conflicting accounts and are pushing for accountability regarding his past relationship with Epstein. The documents released indicate that Latnik had plans to meet Epstein for lunch on Little Saint James Island, owned by Epstein from 1998 until his death in 2019. The pressure on Latnik showcases the broader issues of accountability and ethics surrounding government officials, especially those connected to controversial figures like Epstein.

Despite the growing political pressure, President Donald Trump remains firmly in support of Latnik. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt stated on Tuesday that Trump