Rep. Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffSchiff claims DHS is blocking whistleblower's access to records before testimony GOP lawmakers distance themselves from Trump comments on transfer of power Rubio on peaceful transfer of power: 'We will have a legitimate & fair election' MORE (Calif.) fired back at President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE after the commander in chief asserted he has the “absolute right” to do what he wants with the Department of Justice, telling Trump “no, you don’t.”

“You can do what you want with your golf courses,” Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, tweeted Friday. “But the country and its Justice Department belong to the American people."

Trump: “I have absolute right to do what I want to do with the Justice Department.”



No, you don’t. You can do what you want with your golf courses. But the country and its Justice Department belong to the American people. https://t.co/60DFvIEMjk — Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) December 29, 2017

In an interview with The New York Times Thursday, Trump was asked if he would reopen an investigation into former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonFox News poll: Biden ahead of Trump in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Ohio Trump, Biden court Black business owners in final election sprint The power of incumbency: How Trump is using the Oval Office to win reelection MORE’s email use during her time as secretary of State.

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"I have absolute right to do what I want to do with the Justice Department. But for purposes of hopefully thinking I’m going to be treated fairly, I’ve stayed uninvolved with this particular matter," Trump said.

Schiff has emerged as one of the White House's chief critics over 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 investigation into Russia's election meddling, saying evidence of coordination between Moscow and the Trump campaign looks "pretty damning."

"The Russians offered help. The campaign accepted help. The Russians gave help. And the president made full use of that help," Schiff said earlier this month.

Trump said during this week's interview it was “too bad” that Attorney General Jeff Sessions Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsRoy Moore sues Alabama over COVID-19 restrictions GOP set to release controversial Biden report Trump's policies on refugees are as simple as ABCs MORE recused himself from the investigation. Trump compared Sessions to former President Obama’s attorney general, Eric Holder Eric Himpton HolderThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump's rally risk | Biden ramps up legal team | Biden hits Trump over climate policy Biden campaign forming 'special litigation' team ahead of possible voting battle Pompeo, Engel poised for battle in contempt proceedings MORE.

“I don’t want to get into loyalty, but I will tell you that, I will say this: Holder protected President Obama. Totally protected him,” Trump told the newspaper. “When you look at the things that they did, and Holder protected the president. And I have great respect for that, I’ll be honest.”

Trump has previously railed against the Justice Department, calling for an investigation into Clinton and other Democrats and saying “a lot of people are disappointed” by the department.

Those comments drew ire from Sen. Bob Corker Robert (Bob) Phillips CorkerHas Congress captured Russia policy? Tennessee primary battle turns nasty for Republicans Cheney clashes with Trump MORE (R-Tenn.), who blasted Trump in November, calling the remarks “totally inappropriate” and saying Trump’s comments "not only undermine our justice system but erode the American people’s confidence in our institutions.”