Dems\, acting AG face off over subpoena threat

Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker will face a SUBPOENA COMPELLING HIM TO TESTIFY if he fails to show up to a hearing on Capitol Hill on Friday, or if he refuses to answer certain questions.

The House Judiciary Committee authorized the subpoena in a 23-13 vote along party lines on Thursday.

The panel's Democratic chairman, Jerrold Nadler, said he hopes the subpoena won't be needed, but Nadler said he fears Whitaker might dodge questions about Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into the 2016 election, which Whitaker oversees.

In a statement Thursday, Whitaker said he would only show up if Democrats committed not to issue the subpoena.

President Trump tapped Whitaker to be acting head of the Justice Dept last year after the firing of Jeff Sessions, who had recused himself from the Mueller probe... much to Trump's fury.

Whitaker had criticized Mueller's probe multiple times before taking up his duties.

Mueller has been investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 elections and whether Trump's campaign may have colluded with Moscow, which Trump has denied.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, SAYING: "And it's a disgraceful situation.

A total witch hunt." Nadler said he also hopes Whitaker will answer questions about his communications with the White House.