Rep. Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffPelosi, Democrats unveil bills to rein in alleged White House abuses of power Chris Matthews ripped for complimenting Trump's 'true presidential behavior' on Ginsburg Trump casts doubt on Ginsburg statement, wonders if it was written by Schiff, Pelosi or Schumer MORE (D-Calif.) said Sunday that there are "very strong" facts that indicate acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker should recuse himself 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 investigation, and pledged to hold Whitaker accountable if it's found he made any commitment to 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 regarding the probe.

"It seems to me the facts for recusal are very strong here," Schiff said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

"This is someone who's made repeated and prejudicial comments against the investigation," he continued. "Someone who has made false statements about it, claiming that the Russians really had no impact on our election. It's someone who has a relationship with one of the important witnesses in the investigation."

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Schiff said if Whitaker does not recuse himself, Democrats will use their newfound majority to press him on any role he plays in influencing the investigation.

"If he has any involvement whatsoever in this Russia probe, we are going to find out whether he made commitments to the president about the probe, whether he is serving as a back channel to the president or his lawyers about the probe, whether he's doing anything to interfere with the probe," Schiff said. "Mr. Whitaker needs to understand that he will be called to answer."

He added that he's unsure whether Whitaker is constitutionally eligible to hold the position, echoing concerns from other Democrats and legal experts.

Trump appointed Whitaker on Wednesday to take over for 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. Trump had been openly critical of the former Alabama senator, particularly over his decision to recuse himself from overseeing Mueller's investigation.

Whitaker has written opinion columns for The Hill and CNN advocating for curbing the scope of the Mueller investigation, and suggesting stifling its funding. His appointment as acting attorney general has revived calls from Democrats to protect Mueller's investigation.