Epstein special counsel sought by Democrats in House report

House Democrats called on Monday for an Epstein special counsel, eight days before midterm elections that will decide control of Congress.

A 53-page report from Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee revives allegations of sexual misconduct against Donald Trump, who once befriended the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

What the Epstein special counsel call says

The report urges Attorney General Todd Blanche to appoint an independent prosecutor. In their words, efforts by the Justice Department and the FBI to protect Trump rather than pursue justice “require the appointment of an independent special counsel.”

The Democrats want that counsel to investigate the president and also all of Epstein’s potential accomplices and co-conspirators.

They admitted that Blanche, who used to serve as Trump’s personal attorney, is unlikely to take “even this minimal step.” The report accuses the department of leading a cover-up of Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation.

Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the committee, accused the department of hiding material. He said it appears to be covering up crimes to protect the president.

Raskin also said that five women have directly accused Trump of rape or sexual assault in Epstein’s presence or company. Trump denies any wrongdoing, and no one has charged him with a crime connected to the affair.

White House reply to the Epstein special counsel call

Trump has often denied any role in Epstein’s operation or any knowledge of it. He says he was once friendly with Epstein, but that the two later fell out badly.

Steven Cheung, the White House communications director, rejected the report on X. He said Democrats peddle lies and ridiculous accusations against the president for political gain before every election.

The report mostly cites allegations that were already public, so it offers little new evidence. It is also separate from the House Oversight Committee’s own inquiry into Epstein.

Background on the Epstein files

Epstein died in 2019 while in federal custody, facing charges that he trafficked minors for sex. Officials ruled his death a suicide.

For months, Trump resisted the release of the so-called Epstein files by the Justice Department. He later signed a law from Congress that required publication. His name appears repeatedly in the documents.

Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former girlfriend, is the only person convicted in connection with the case. She is serving 20 years in prison. A court convicted her in 2021 for supplying underage girls to Epstein.

Democrats also criticise the administration for transferring Maxwell to a minimum-security prison. They also note that Republican leaders first opposed releasing the investigative material that the FBI and federal prosecutors compiled.

Politics ahead of the vote

The timing puts the Epstein special counsel demand at the centre of the final week of the midterm campaign. Reports say Democrats have put over $35 million into advertisements about Epstein.

They argue that Republican corruption in Washington costs Americans money. They also promise to investigate the president if they win control of Congress on November 3.

For now, the Epstein special counsel request depends on a Justice Department that the Democrats themselves expect to refuse it.