New acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker will meet with Justice Department ethics officials to discuss "matters that may warrant recusal" amid calls from Democrats who say he should step down from overseeing special counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE's Russia investigation due to conflicts of interest.

Since Whitaker's appointment last Wednesday, Democrats have called on him to recuse himself from the Russia probe, citing his public comments criticizing Mueller. Whitaker once declared there "no collusion" between President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE and Moscow and said the special counsel's investigation was a waste of time that could be undercut by denying it funding.

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"Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker Matthew G WhitakerEx-federal prosecutor: 'Thank God' Whitaker is gone, Barr will bring 'integrity' back to DOJ GOP pollster says Dems are relitigating 2016 election with investigations of Trump Former senior FBI official calls Whitaker hearing ‘disgraceful’ MORE is fully committed to following all appropriate processes and procedures at the Department of Justice, including consulting with senior ethics officials on his oversight responsibilities and matters that may warrant recusal," Department of Justice (DOJ) spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said in a statement acquired by The Hill.

Whitaker once publicly suggested that the attorney general could cut funding in order to stifle Mueller's investigation, but Bloomberg reported Sunday that Whitaker has told associates in recent days that he has no plans to slash Mueller's budget.

Trump, who has publicly criticized Mueller's investigation as a "witch hunt" for over a year, appointed Whitaker to oversee the probe last week after forcing the resignation of former Attorney General Jeff Sessions Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsGOP set to release controversial Biden report Trump's policies on refugees are as simple as ABCs Ocasio-Cortez, Velázquez call for convention to decide Puerto Rico status MORE, whose own recusal from the Russia investigation infuriated the president. Trump has repeatedly said he wouldn't have chosen Sessions for the job if he'd known he was going to step away from the matter.

Democrats have threatened to subpoena Whitaker and withhold key votes in the House if Republicans do not take action to protect Mueller.

Democratic leaders on Sunday sent a letter requesting a formal update from the DOJ's ethics office on whether Whitaker should recuse himself from overseeing the investigation.

"There are serious ethical considerations that require Mr. Whitaker's immediate recusal from any involvement with the Special Counsel investigation of the Russian government's efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election," the leaders, including prospective House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiHoyer: House should vote on COVID-19 aid — with or without a bipartisan deal Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose at Supreme Court McCarthy threatens motion to oust Pelosi if she moves forward with impeachment MORE (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerCruz blocks amended resolution honoring Ginsburg over language about her dying wish Senate Democrats introduce legislation to probe politicization of pandemic response Schumer interrupted during live briefing by heckler: 'Stop lying to the people' MORE (D-N.Y.), wrote in the letter.

"We request that you immediately notify us in writing regarding whether you, or any other ethics officials at the Justice Department, have advised Mr. Whitaker to recuse from supervision of the Special Counsel investigation, and the basis for that recommendation," they wrote to the DOJ's ethics watchdog.

— Updated Nov. 13, 9:40 p.m.