The House Judiciary Committee reportedly believes it has evidence that supports the report that President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE asked former acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker to put his ally, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman, in charge of an investigation into Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen.

The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, reported the development on Monday night, about a week after The New York Times released a report about Trump's alleged request.

ADVERTISEMENT

The newspaper noted that there is no sign that Whitaker, who served as acting attorney general from November until February of this year, acted on such a request.

Berman, who had donated to Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, had recused himself from the Southern District of New York's investigation into Cohen.

The Journal, citing one person familiar with the matter, noted that the Judiciary Committee is investigating whether Whitaker committed perjury while giving testimony before the panel earlier this month.

“At no time has the White House asked for nor have I provided any promises or commitments concerning the special counsel’s investigation or any other investigation," Whitaker said to the panel at the time.

Whitaker declined to comment to the Journal. A Justice Department spokeswoman, Kerri Kupec, also declined to comment on Whitaker's private talks with Trump, noting that Whitaker has stood by his testimony.

"Under oath to the House Judiciary Committee, then-acting Attorney General Whitaker stated that ‘at no time has the White House asked for nor have I provided any promises or commitments concerning the special counsel’s investigation or any other investigation,’” Kupec told The New York Times last week. “Mr. Whitaker stands by his testimony.”

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill.

Trump lashed out at The New York Times last week after it released a report on the ways he has allegedly tried to influence investigations into him and his allies.

"The New York Times reporting is false," Trump tweeted. "They are a true ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!"

Trump also said the report was "fake news" when asked about the alleged request he made of Whitaker.

Cohen, who pleaded guilty last year to bank fraud, tax fraud and campaign finance violations, is set to testify this week before the House Oversight and Reform Committee.

Updated on Feb. 26 at 5:53 a.m.