House Judiciary Democrats call for special counsel on Trump's ties to Epstein; White House rejects report

The minority staff report says there is enough evidence to open a criminal investigation and draws on witness interviews and Justice Department files released under last year's Epstein disclosure law, according to NBC News. Committee Democrats said it details accounts involving 11 women. Rep. Jamie Raskin, the committee's top Democrat, said an independent special counsel must investigate Epstein's co-conspirators and the department's handling of the case.

Trump has repeatedly denied any knowledge of or involvement in Epstein's crimes. White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis said none of the allegations are true. A Justice Department spokesperson called the report an effort to mislead the public and said the department released nearly 3 million documents as the law required.

Why it matters: As the minority party, House Democrats cannot issue subpoenas on their own. NBC News reported the report signals a line of investigation Democrats could pursue if they win control of a chamber of Congress in the Nov. 3 midterm elections.