Rep. David Cicilline, a member of House Democratic leadership who serves on the Judiciary Committee, said that if former White House counsel Don McGahn does not testify Tuesday, the panel should open an impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump.

And the Rhode Island Democrat, who cited “a pattern from the White House to impede our investigation,” is not alone in the leadership ranks.

“This is a cover-up by the White House, and there comes a point where we have to stand up for the rule of law,” Cicilline said Monday. “It is not just about this president. It is about future presidents. It’s about the message it sends about our respect for the Constitution and for the rule of law. And if this pattern by the president continues, where he’s going to impede and prevent and undermine our ability to gather evidence to do our job, we’re going to be left with no choice.”

Cicilline, who chairs the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, said he was not speaking on behalf of leadership or the Judiciary panel.

Opening an impeachment inquiry is a means to collect information and would not require the committee to rush to a decision, he said, noting that the impeachment inquiry into President Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal was open for many months.