In his opening statement, Whitaker said that while he would address the committee's questions, he would not reveal details of his communications with the Republican president.

"I know you're very interested in the special counsel investigation", Whitaker noted sarcastically.

Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) questioned Whitaker about special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and allegations of collusion or obstruction of justice by the commander-in-chief.

Congresswoman Val Demings (D- FL) directly told Acting AG Matthew Whitaker during today's hearing, "I believe that you have worked to make our criminal justice system--to make a mockery out of it".

It was unclear whether Whitaker would even show up until late Thursday night after weeks of disputes between the Department of Justice and the House Judiciary committee.

Republicans, who until recently led the committee, complained on Friday that the hearing was a "dog and pony" show meant to discredit the president.

Democrats pushed Whitaker on whether he was still critical of the special counsel investigation he is now in charge of.

"I'm not kidding when I say I have interviewed terrorists who are more cooperative and respectful than Matt Whitaker was today", Figliuzzi began, provoking laughter from MSNBC host Nicole Wallace.

Ultimately, the Democrats said they'd hold off, so long as Whitaker were prepared to appear before the Judiciary Committee on Friday morning.

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"Mr. attorney general, we're not joking here".

They are calling him to testify even though his time leading the Justice Department is ending, with the Senate expected this month to confirm Trump's nominee for attorney general, William Barr. He gave an ultimatum, saying he would only testify if the House dropped its threat of a subpoena.

"I trust that the members of this committee will respect the confidentiality that is necessary to the proper functioning of the presidency - just as we respect the confidentiality necessary to the legislative branch, " Whitaker said.

Former Republican governor Chris Christie has known U.S. President Donald Trump for 17 years, but says the advice he's offered hasn't always been heeded.

After Jeff Sessions was sacked last November, Whitaker was raised to the role apparently on the merits of his history of denouncing the special counsel investigation on cable TV, and promptly refused to recuse himself from that investigation despite a top Justice Department ethics official advising him to do so. I'm asking you a question.

Mr Whitaker wrote for CNN in August 2017 that the investigation was "dangerously close to crossing" a "red line".

A few hours later, Nadler tweeted, "CONFIRMED: Acting Attorney General Whitaker will appear".

But that didn't stop Nadler from trying one more time.