Kellyanne Conway

Kellyanne Conway clashes with CNN's Amanpour over Trump's rhetoric

 White House counselor Kellyanne Conway speaks to the press at the White House in Washington, DC
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway. Photo: Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway clashed with CNN's Christiane Amanpour over President Trump's divisive rhetoric during a heated interview Monday on the mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, last weekend.

Why it matters: Several Democratic presidential candidates have labeled Trump a racist for his hardline immigration policies and Twitter attacks on lawmakers of color. Former Texas congressman Beto O'Rourke told CNN that Trump is a "white nationalist" who is encouraging more racism and violence in the U.S.

The big picture: Trump condemned racism and white supremacy during an address to the nation earlier Monday.

Go deeper: America's hate problem

Kellyanne Conway defies congressional subpoena

Conway speaking to the press.
Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Kellyanne Conway declined to appear at a congressional oversight hearing Monday to discuss her alleged violations of the Hatch Act, defying a subpoena as the administration claims she is "immune" from such testimonies.

What they're saying: Pat Cipollone, counsel to the president, wrote in a letter to House Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings that "in accordance with long-standing, bipartisan precedent, Ms. Conway cannot be compelled to testify before Congress with respect to matters related to her service as a senior adviser to the President."