Rep. Ted Lieu Ted W. LieuThe spin on Woodward's tapes reveals the hypocrisy of Democrats Larry Kudlow defends response to coronavirus: Trump 'led wisely' Lieu on Trump 'playing it down' on coronavirus: 'This is reckless homicide' MORE (D-Calif.) on Sunday said House rules need to be changed to address contempt and fines for witnesses, saying the Trump administration "brought a machete to a knife fight" and lawmakers are "getting shredded."

"The @realDonaldTrump Administration brought a machete to a knife fight," he tweeted. "We brought the House rules. And we are getting shredded."

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Lieu, a frequent critic of President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE, said the rules should be changed to allow "contempt on the spot," and for witnesses to be fined daily.

"It is now time to exercise our full inherent contempt powers," he added.

The @realDonaldTrump Administration brought a machete to a knife fight. We brought the House rules. And we are getting shredded. We need to change the Rules to allow



-Contempt on the spot

-Witnesses to be fined daily



It is now time to exercise our full inherent contempt powers. — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) September 22, 2019

Lieu's tweet follows congressional testimony last week from former Trump campaign aide Corey Lewandowski Corey R. LewandowskiTrump faces tricky choice on Supreme Court pick How Trump can win reelection: Focus on Democrats, not himself Trump Jr. distances from Bannon group, says he attended 'single' event MORE, who refused to answer questions referencing his roles described in former 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 report. The White House sought to limit his testimony, saying discussions fell under "Executive Branch confidentiality interests." The White House also blocked two other aides from testifying, citing claims of immunity.

Several Democrats, including Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler Jerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerDemocrats shoot down talk of expanding Supreme Court Schumer: 'Nothing is off the table' if GOP moves forward with Ginsburg replacement Top Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence MORE (N.Y.) and Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiDemocratic senator to party: 'A little message discipline wouldn't kill us' Overnight Health Care: New wave of COVID-19 cases builds in US | Florida to lift all coronavirus restrictions on restaurants, bars | Trump stirs questions with 0 drug coupon plan Overnight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds MORE (Calif.), have said Lewandowski should be held in contempt after his testimony.

The post also comes amid increased impeachment talk over reports that Trump asked the Ukrainian president for help in investigating Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenFormer Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick Bloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida MORE.

A call between Trump and a foreign leader sparked a whistleblower complaint, the contents of which Democrats are demanding to see.

Pelosi has remained leery of jumping into impeachment inquiries but said if the report is not provided, a "new stage of investigation" will begin.