Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faced intense questioning on Capitol Hill Tuesday regarding his past association with Jeffrey Epstein, while a grand jury rejected a Justice Department effort to indict Democratic lawmakers who urged military members to defy "illegal" orders. In other news, American Ashley Farquharson won a rare Olympic luge medal at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, and pressure mounted on Prince Andrew to testify in the US about his links to Epstein. Meanwhile, investment in American shipping by a French logistics company remains slow.
Lutnick, who served as Trump's commerce secretary, denied any wrongdoing during his appearance before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee. He was grilled about his continued contact with Epstein years after claiming to have distanced himself from the convicted sex offender. One Democrat accused Lutnick of "totally misrepresenting" the extent of their relationship "to the Congress, to the American people and to the survivors of his despicable criminal and predatory acts," according to ABC News.
Also on Tuesday, a grand jury in Washington, D.C., declined to indict a group of Democratic lawmakers who had encouraged U.S. military members to disregard "illegal" orders in a video posted online. The Justice Department had launched an investigation into the video, which featured six Democratic lawmakers.
In sports, Ashley Farquharson secured a historic moment for the United States at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, winning a medal in the women's luge singles event. Her performance marked only the second time an American had won an Olympic medal in the event, according to Fox News. Farquharson, who began luge as an after-school activity, expressed disbelief at her accomplishment.
Meanwhile, Prince Andrew is under increasing pressure from U.S. officials and the family of his accuser, Virginia Giuffre, to testify in the U.S. about his ties to Epstein. Democrat Congressman Ro Khanna told the BBC that the Royal Family had "not been transparent" regarding the matter. Democrat Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez stated that King Charles III "should direct his brother" to testify, according to BBC World. King Charles III said the Royal Family were "ready to support" police in their inquiries.
In the business sector, investment in American ports and shipping by CMA CGM, a French logistics company, has been slow to materialize despite a pledge made last year. President Trump had expressed optimism when the company's chief executive announced a $20 billion investment in the U.S. maritime sector. However, according to the NY Times, only a fraction of the promised funds have been invested so far.
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