On Monday, the House Judiciary Committee’s Democratic members formally requested the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Donald Trump’s alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein, citing a 53‑page dossier that claims the Justice Department has shielded the former president.
The report resurrects allegations of sexual misconduct that Trump allegedly faced in Epstein’s circle, including accusations from five women who say he raped or assaulted them in the financier’s presence.
Trump denies any wrongdoing and has faced no charges related to the Epstein case, yet the committee’s demand underscores the DOJ’s reluctance to act, with Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump’s former personal attorney, unlikely to appoint the counsel.
The Democrats’ request comes just eight days before the November 3 midterm elections, a period when the GOP’s control of Congress could hinge on public perception of Trump’s legacy. A resident of Arlington, Virginia, told reporters he hopes the investigation will bring clarity before the votes.
If the committee moves forward, a Wednesday hearing will decide whether the Justice Department agrees to appoint an independent investigator or refuses, a decision that could trigger a federal lawsuit from the House and reshape scrutiny of the former president before the elections.