标签： North America

Newly unsealed Department of Justice documents reveal that U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and his family planned a visit to Jeffrey Epstein’s private island in 2012—seven years after the billionaire businessman claimed to have severed ties with the convicted sex offender.

The documents, comprising millions of pages released by the DOJ on Friday, include email correspondence showing Lutnick, his wife Allison, their four children, and another family arranged to visit Little Saint James, Epstein’s Caribbean estate purchased in 1998.

In a December 2012 email, Allison Lutnick wrote to Epstein’s assistant: “We are looking forward to visiting you. We will be coming from Caneel Bay in the morning. We are a crowd… 2 families each with 4 kids ranging in age from 7-16!” She specifically requested joining Epstein for lunch during their visit.

Separate emails show Howard Lutnick directly communicating with Epstein, writing: “Hi Jeff, We are landing in St. Thomas early Saturday afternoon and planning to head over to St. Bart’s/Anguilla on Monday at some point…. Does Sunday evening for dinner sound good?” Lutnick requested specific location details for his boat captain and confirmed another family would be accompanying them.

Additional correspondence from December 24, 2012, includes a message to Lutnick stating Epstein wanted to pass along that it was “Nice seeing you,” suggesting at least one encounter occurred.

These communications contradict Lutnick’s October 2025 statements to The New York Post, where he claimed to have cut ties with Epstein in 2005 after an uncomfortable encounter at Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse. Lutnick described Epstein showing off his massage room and making suggestive comments about “the right kind of massage,” prompting Lutnick and his wife to vow “never to be in the room with that disgusting person ever again.”

The Commerce Department issued a statement maintaining that “Secretary Lutnick had limited interactions with Mr. Epstein in the presence of his wife and has never been accused of wrongdoing.” The released emails contain no indications of illegal activity.

The document release represents the largest trove of Epstein-related materials made public since legislation mandated their disclosure last year, including 3 million pages, 180,000 images, and 2,000 videos.

Epstein was convicted in 2008 for soliciting sex from a minor and died in jail in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges.

The United States federal government commenced a partial shutdown early Saturday morning after Congress failed to approve fiscal year 2026 budget allocations before the midnight funding deadline. This development marks the second government shutdown of President Donald Trump’s second term, though congressional leaders from both parties indicate the disruption will likely be brief.

The budgetary stalemate originated from a dramatic breakdown in negotiations, primarily fueled by Democratic outrage over the killing of two protesters in Minneapolis by federal immigration agents. This incident critically derailed discussions regarding new funding allocations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Senate Democratic Minority Whip Dick Durbin publicly condemned the administration’s priorities, stating on social media, ‘Instead of going after drug smugglers, child predators, and human traffickers, the Trump Administration is wasting valuable resources targeting peaceful protestors in Chicago and Minneapolis. This Administration continues to make Americans less safe.’

Approximately 75% of federal operations are impacted by the funding lapse, potentially activating shutdown protocols across a vast spectrum of agencies encompassing education, health, housing, and national defense. Federal departments were mandated to initiate their contingency plans overnight.

However, the practical impact on government services, federal contractors, and employees is projected to be limited. The Senate has already advanced a bipartisan deal, which has received endorsement from President Trump. The House of Representatives, currently out of session until Monday, is expected to ratify this package early next week, thereby restoring funding within days.

While a prolonged impasse could force tens of thousands of federal workers into furloughs or unpaid work, congressional leadership expresses strong confidence in a swift resolution, aiming to avoid a repeat of the record-length shutdown that occurred last fall.

The U.S. Justice Department initiated the substantial release of documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case on Friday, disclosing millions of pages alongside photographs and video evidence. This development intensifies the politically charged atmosphere surrounding President Donald Trump, who has been persistently linked to the controversial financier.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the administration’s non-interference during a press conference, stating, “The White House played no role in directing our review process—including decisions regarding redactions.” He further asserted that no protective measures were extended to President Trump or any other individuals mentioned in the files.

Among the released materials are over three million documents, 180,000 images, and 2,000 videos. The Justice Department noted that some submissions contained what it characterized as “untrue and sensationalist claims” about the 79-year-old president, which were presented to the FBI prior to the 2020 election.

Blanche confirmed that all images of female victims, except those of convicted accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, have been redacted to protect identities. However, a coalition of 19 survivors issued a statement contending that their identifying information remains inadequately protected, while the men implicated in the abuse continue to be shielded.

Jeffrey Epstein, the financier accused of orchestrating a widespread sex trafficking operation, died in prison in 2019 under circumstances ruled a suicide. Previous document releases have revealed associations with high-profile figures including business leaders, celebrities, and politicians such as Bill Gates, Woody Allen, and former President Bill Clinton.

Notably, a draft email within the files contained allegations about Gates’ personal life, which the Gates Foundation vehemently denied as “absurd and false.” Other communications detailed Epstein’s introductions involving Steve Tisch, a prominent film producer and co-owner of the New York Giants.

The disclosure follows the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandated full document release by December 19. Blanche attributed delays to the extensive redaction process necessary to safeguard the identities of Epstein’s alleged victims, believed to number over 1,000.

In a landmark address at Venezuela’s Supreme Court, Acting President Delcy Rodriguez unveiled transformative national reconciliation measures, including a comprehensive amnesty proposal and the planned closure of the notorious El Helicoide prison. The announcement marks the most significant reform initiative since the U.S.-led ouster of authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro just weeks ago.

Rodriguez detailed legislation that would grant general amnesty covering the entire period of political violence from 1999 to present, encompassing both the Hugo Chavez presidency and Maduro’s subsequent authoritarian rule. “This law will serve to heal the wounds left by political confrontation, fueled by violence and extremism,” Rodriguez declared before assembled government officials, framing the measure as essential for restoring judicial integrity.

The acting president simultaneously announced plans to convert the infamous El Helicoide detention facility—where human rights organizations documented systematic torture of political prisoners—into a multipurpose community center. The massive structure, originally constructed as a shopping mall, will be repurposed as a “sports, cultural and commercial centre for police families and neighboring communities.”

The reforms generated immediate emotional responses from affected families. Betsy Orellana, 63, expressed overwhelming joy at the prospect of her son’s release after six months without communication: “It’s wonderful! This is a huge joy, it’s an amnesty, my God, it’s total liberation.”

These developments follow Rodriguez’s rapid implementation of U.S.-backed reforms since assuming power less than four weeks ago. The government has already passed legislation opening Venezuela’s critical oil sector to private investment—a key Washington demand—prompting the immediate rollback of U.S. sanctions targeting Venezuelan petroleum.

However, opposition figures remain cautiously optimistic. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado characterized the amnesty as a response to American pressure rather than voluntary regime action, while opposition lawmaker Tomas Guanipa expressed hope that the measure would terminate “an era of repression” and initiate a genuine democratic transition.

Concurrently, U.S. authorities confirmed the release of all known American prisoners in Venezuela, including Peruvian-American Arturo Gallino Rullier. In further normalization steps, the Trump administration lifted flight bans to Venezuela and prepared to reestablish diplomatic presence in Caracas, with seasoned diplomat Laura Dogu appointed as charge d’affaires.