Larry Summers Steps Back Amid Epstein Investigation Scrutiny

Larry Summers, former U.S. Treasury Secretary, is stepping back from public commitments following increased scrutiny over his ties with Jeffrey Epstein. This follows a House Oversight Committee release of files, unveiling personal correspondence. Summers aims to rebuild trust while continuing his teaching duties at Harvard University.

Larry Summers, the former U.S. Treasury Secretary, announced on Monday his decision to step back from all public commitments after a recent order by President Donald Trump led the Justice Department to investigate Summers' connections to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Summers, who also served as president of Harvard University, expressed his intent to rebuild trust and repair personal relationships through this action.

The announcement follows the House Oversight Committee's release of thousands of Epstein-related documents, containing personal correspondence with Summers. Addressing The Crimson, Summers acknowledged his misconduct and took full responsibility for his continued communications with Epstein, vowing to fulfill his responsibilities as a professor while pausing public engagements.

Despite not immediately responding to media inquiries, Summers, a Democrat, remains active on OpenAI's board and operates as a director at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government. The Epstein controversy continues to hurt President Trump's administration, with calls increasing for transparency regarding Epstein's influential connections before his 2019 suicide.

(With inputs from agencies.)