Schumer asks for inquiry into Whitaker’s White House contacts

The Senate’s top Democrat asked the Justice Department’s watchdog Tuesday to open an investigation into communication between acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker and the White House.

Sen. Charles Schumer wants the inspector general to look into Whitaker’s communications beginning in 2017, when he was appointed chief of staff to then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Whitaker was elevated to the top job after Sessions was ousted by President Donald Trump this month.

In a letter, Schumer, D-N.Y., said he wants investigators to look into whether Whitaker had access to confidential grand jury information in special counsel Robert Mueller’s inquiry into Russian election interference.