House Democrats call for Epstein-related special counsel probe

House Judiciary Committee Democrats released a staff report calling for an independent special counsel to investigate President Donald Trump’s connections to Jeffrey Epstein and the Justice Department’s handling of related records. The report’s allegations are conclusions by Democratic staff, not findings by a court or the full committee. The 50-page report argues that accounts from women and records made public in the Epstein case warrant further inquiry. It accuses the Justice Department of improperly withholding some Epstein-related records and impeding investigative efforts. Democrats also question the department’s handling of interviews with Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell and raise concerns about Attorney General Todd Blanche’s conduct. No court has found that Blanche committed obstruction. The report discusses accounts involving 11 women. According to its summary, five directly accuse Trump of serious sexual misconduct in Epstein’s company or presence. The accounts vary: some describe alleged misconduct, while others recount encounters or introductions. The allegations have not resulted in criminal findings against Trump, and the White House has denied them. Among...