Washington (CNN) The Trump administration argued Tuesday that courts would make a different decision today than 45 years ago when a federal judge gave Congress a secret grand jury report on evidence in the Watergate scandal -- prompting the current top judge in Washington's federal court to exclaim, "Wow."

The exchange may be one of the most important moments so far in court since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump two weeks ago.

The issue of the judicial branch's powers and history came to a head near the end of a ferocious, more than two-hour hearing before Chief Judge Beryl Howell of the US District Court in Washington on Tuesday.

Democrats say they do not need to pass a resolution to begin a formal impeachment inquiry and want a federal judge to force the administration to turn over information it's holding back. The White House and congressional Republicans have argued that explicit House approval is necessary -- and have rested on the lack of a vote as a way to stop House proceedings, including blocking European Union Ambassador Gordon Sondland from testifying Tuesday to a House panel.

An 'extraordinary' exchange

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