Senate panel requests Trump Jr., Manafort testimony

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday requested Donald Trump Jr. and former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort to testify under oath next week. Committee chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, scheduled a hearing to review election interference and listed both men as witnesses for July 26. Neither has confirmed their appearance yet, but Grassley said Thursday morning he’s ready to issue subpoenas if necessary. President Donald Trump’s eldest son sparked controversy last week when he released an email chain showing he accepted a June 2016 meeting with a Russian attorney who promised information on his father’s election opponent, Hillary Clinton. Manafort attended the meeting with Trump Jr. and the Russian attorney. It's expected both men will face pointed questions about alleged collusion with Russian officials to influence the 2016 presidential election. The Justice Department has its own separate investigation into Trump’s campaign and possible involvement with the Russians, led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Earlier this week, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, said Mueller cleared Trump Jr. and Manafort for public testimony. Grassley previously had concerns about creating a conflict with the ongoing probe.