House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) is threatening to hold former White House counsel Don McGahn in contempt if he does not testify publicly on Tuesday before Congress.

"First thing we are going to do is hold McGahn in contempt," Nadler told CNN on Monday night, noting that the committee intends to then enforce such citations for defying congressional subpoenas in court.

"You are dealing with a lawless president who is willing to go to any lengths to prevent testimony that might implicate him - that does implicate him," Nadler continued.

Separately, Nadler also issued a letter to McGahn Monday night saying he expects McGahn to appear, despite President Trump's order.

"President Trump's order - which seeks to block a former official from informing a coequal branch of government about his own misconduct - is unprecedented and, contrary to the letter received from your counsel this evening, does not excuse your obligation to appear before the Committee," Nadler writes.

Nadler's remarks come after McGahn's attorney William Burck notified the chairman in a letter Monday evening that his client would comply with instructions from the White House to not testify before his committee. By refusing to testify, McGahn is defying a congressional subpoena compelling his appearance.

"The recalcitrance of the president and his lawless behavior is making it more and more difficult to ignore all alternatives including impeachment," Nadler told CNN. "The president cannot be above the law, no more than anyone else can."

Courtesy The Hill