Nvidia row: Senator demands Commerce chief's firing over US chip exports
Synopsis
Nvidia's leadership crisis is fast becoming a Washington scandal. With a senator calling for the Commerce Secretary's head, a former VP demanding export-control accountability, and three House committees circling, the question is no longer just about Jensen Huang — it is about who in the administration loosened chip export rules and why.
Key Takeaways
Senator Chris Van Hollen called on 15 November 2026 for Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to be fired over the handling of Megaspeed 's export blacklisting.
Former Vice President Mike Pence demanded scrutiny of the decision to loosen US export controls that may have allowed advanced chips to reach China.
ABC News reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed President Trump about intelligence concerns involving Jensen Huang in May ; Trump denied it.
Alice Huang , a senior Megaspeed executive, was identified by ABC and The New York Times as the woman reportedly linked by US intelligence to China — Beijing denied the allegations.
Nvidia's independent directors retained former federal prosecutor Joon Kim to conduct an internal probe; Huang pledged full cooperation.
Congressional appearance requests were issued on 12 November to Huang, Nvidia's general counsel Tim Teter , and Commerce official Jeffrey Kessler .
Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen on Sunday, 15 November 2026 called for the dismissal of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, while former Vice President Mike Pence demanded answers on US chip export controls following Jensen Huang's departure from Nvidia. The remarks, made on major Sunday political programmes, deepened scrutiny of the administration's handling of advanced semiconductor sales and what President Donald Trump knew of intelligence allegations involving Huang.
Van Hollen's Case Against Lutnick
Speaking on ABC's 'This Week', Senator Van Hollen said plainly: 'I think he should be fired.' He argued that the Commerce Department should have placed Singapore-based Megaspeed on its export blacklist after receiving relevant intelligence about the company. Van Hollen pointed to comments by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent — aired by ABC — that several agencies had supported restrictions on Megaspeed for months, but that the final decision rested with Commerce. The Commerce Department had previously defended Lutnick's advisory role and disputed earlier reporting on its handling of the matter as inaccurate.
Pence Calls for Broader Accountability
Former Vice President Mike Pence, appearing on NBC's 'Meet the Press', argued that Huang's resignation should not close the chapter on decisions that allegedly allowed advanced American chips to reach companies capable of supplying them to China. The Republican former vice president questioned the rationale for loosening export controls and urged scrutiny of all officials — beyond Huang — who drove those decisions. He also questioned whether Commerce had exercised sufficient oversight at any stage.
Trump Briefing Dispute and the Alice Huang Connection
Van Hollen separately challenged Trump's denial that he had been forewarned about Huang's relationship with a woman reportedly linked by US intelligence to China. ABC News, citing sources, reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had briefed Trump aboard Air Force One during a trip to China in May, a trip on which Huang accompanied the president. Trump denied receiving any such briefing and said Huang had told him he did not know the woman was a spy, adding that he believed Huang. Van Hollen said he believed Trump had in fact been briefed and called for an investigation involving testimony under oath. ABC, citing The New York Times, identified the woman as Alice Huang, a senior executive at Megaspeed, which reportedly had access to Nvidia's advanced chips. The network reported allegations that the company diverted chips to China; Beijing denied those allegations. The intelligence allegations remain distinct from any established finding of espionage.
Congressional Scrutiny Widens
On CBS, Representative John Moolenaar said Huang and Nvidia representatives had agreed to interviews with three House committees, with dates still under discussion. On 12 November, the chairmen of the House Foreign Affairs, Intelligence, and China Select committees issued formal requests for appearances by Huang, Nvidia general counsel Tim Teter, and Commerce official Jeffrey Kessler — extending congressional pressure beyond the former CEO to the company's legal leadership and the administration's export-control apparatus.
Nvidia's Response and Leadership Transition
Nvidia announced Huang's departure on Thursday, naming Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim chief executive and Harvey Jones as board chairman. A securities filing confirmed Huang's resignation as president, chief executive, and director took effect on Wednesday. In a message to employees on 8 November, Huang said he supported an independent investigation into the national security concerns raised by recent reports and pledged full cooperation. Nvidia's independent directors subsequently retained former federal prosecutor Joon Kim and his law firm to conduct the internal probe.
With congressional hearings being scheduled and an independent investigation under way, the full scope of accountability — both corporate and governmental — is likely to become clearer in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
But the more consequential question — whether export-control decisions were driven by policy logic or by proximity to Nvidia — has not yet been answered. The expansion of congressional scrutiny to include Commerce official Jeffrey Kessler signals that lawmakers are looking past the company to the regulatory apparatus itself, which is unusual and significant. If testimony under oath eventually contradicts Trump's denial of the Air Force One briefing, this moves from a corporate governance story to a presidential accountability one.
NationPress
15 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Senator Van Hollen calling for Howard Lutnick to be fired?
Van Hollen argues that the Commerce Department, which Lutnick leads, failed to place Singapore-based Megaspeed on its export blacklist despite receiving intelligence about the company. He cited Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's statement that multiple agencies had supported restrictions on Megaspeed for months, but that Commerce held the final decision-making authority.
What is the Megaspeed chip diversion allegation?
Megaspeed is a Singapore-based company that reportedly had access to Nvidia's advanced chips. ABC News, citing The New York Times, reported allegations that the company diverted those chips to China. Beijing denied the allegations, and the intelligence claims remain separate from any established legal finding of espionage.
What did Mike Pence say about the Nvidia chip export issue?
Pence, speaking on NBC's 'Meet the Press', said Jensen Huang's resignation should not end scrutiny of how advanced American chips may have reached companies able to supply China. He called for a review of who beyond Huang drove decisions to loosen export controls, and questioned whether Commerce provided adequate oversight.
What is the current status of Nvidia's leadership after Jensen Huang's departure?
Nvidia announced Huang's departure on Thursday, with CFO Colette Kress named interim chief executive and Harvey Jones appointed board chairman. A securities filing confirmed the resignation took effect on Wednesday. Nvidia's independent directors have retained former federal prosecutor Joon Kim to lead an internal investigation into national security concerns.
What are the US Congress committees requesting in relation to Nvidia?
On 12 November, the chairmen of the House Foreign Affairs, Intelligence, and China Select committees issued formal requests for appearances by Jensen Huang, Nvidia general counsel Tim Teter, and Commerce official Jeffrey Kessler. Representative John Moolenaar said Huang and Nvidia representatives had agreed to committee interviews, with dates still being finalised.
