Attorney General William Barr is backing out of a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, escalating a fight with Democrats over the format of questioning.

“Unfortunately, even after the Attorney General volunteered to testify, Chairman Nadler placed conditions on the House Judiciary Committee hearing that are unprecedented and unnecessary,” Kerri Kupec, a representative for the Justice Department, said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “Congress and the Executive branch are co-equal branches of government, and each have a constitutional obligation to respect and accommodate one another’s legitimate interests. Chairman Nadler’s insistence on having staff question the Attorney General, a Senate-confirmed Cabinet member, is inappropriate.”