Paul Manafort, the former chairman of President Donald Trump's campaign, will testify before the House Intelligence Committee for its investigation into Russia's alleged meddling in the presidential election, Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes announced on Friday.
Nunes said Manafort — through his legal counsel — volunteered to testify before the committee.
NEW: Paul Manafort has volunteered to testify before by the House Intelligence Committee, Chairman Nunes announces
Manafort has faced criticism in recent weeks after reports that he was paid millions to promote Russian President Vladimir Putin's interests in the United States.
Trump administration officials have sought to distance themselves from Manafort after the headlines emerged.
Spicer just demoted Manafort from "campaign staffer" to "a gentleman who was employed by someone for 5 months" https://t.co/r9elCLhYm8
White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Manafort — who chaired Trump's campaign for a large chunk of the election — had a "very limited role" in the Trump campaign.
Still, despite the fact that Manafort will testify before the committee, Democrats are angry that Nunes canceled a scheduled hearing on March 28 with other key figures in the government's Russia investigation, including former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former CIA Director John Brennan and Sally Yates, the former acting attorney general whom Trump fired in January.
BREAKING: Chairman just cancelled open Intelligence Committee hearing with Clapper, Brennan and Yates in attempt to choke off public info.
Rep. Adam Smith (D-Calif.), the ranking member on the committee, said Nunes was trying to "choke off public info" by canceling the March 28 hearing.
March 24, 2017 11:40 a.m.: This article has been updated
