国际英语资讯:Acting U.S. attorney general says he has not interfered with Russia probe_时事

国际英语资讯:Acting U.S. attorney general says he has not interfered with Russia probe

"But when career officials at the department recommended that you take steps to mitigate your apparent conflicts of interest, Mr. Whitaker -- when they told you that your public criticism of the special counsel was bad for the department and bad for the administration of justice, you ignored them," the New York Democrat added.

Whitaker defended by saying, "We have followed the special counsel's regulations to a T."

The hearing was thrown into uncertainty after Democrats threatened to subpoena Whitaker, who had previously agreed to testify.

The acting attorney general warned that he wouldn't show up unless lawmakers dropped the ultimatum he described as "political theater," before reaching an agreement with Nadler Thursday to allow the hearing to occur as planned.

Doug Collins, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee said Friday the hearing with Whitaker is a "dog and pony show."

The Georgia Republican added the hearing was pointless because the nomination of William Barr, Trump's official pick for attorney general, is expected to be confirmed in a vote that could come as early as next week.

Collins ended his remarks with a motion to adjourn the hearing. That motion was later defeated.

Whitaker said late last month that Mueller's investigation is "close to being completed," although there has been no confirmation of this from the special counsel's office.

Trump has repeatedly blasted inquiry and said there was "no collusion" between his campaign and Russia. Moscow has denied any meddling in the 2016 presidential election.