Democrats launching ‘aggressive new focus’ investigating Steve Mnunchin’s role in Russia scandals

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will be in the hot seat on Capitol Hill on Thursday as Congressional Democrats investigate President Donald Trump's relationship with Russia.

Mnuchin's classified briefing is "the start of an aggressive new focus on Mnuchin by newly empowered House Democrats," NBC News reported Wednesday.

At focus in the closed-door hearing is Mnuchin's decision to ease sanctions on companies aligned with Oleg Deripaska.

Deripaska is a Russian oligarch with close ties to Vladimir Putin and former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort. In 2016, Mnuchin was Trump's national finance chair.

Thursday's hearing was scheduled after the Democratic chairs of the seven major investigative committees in the House of Representatives signed a joint-letter seeking information on why the Treasury Department eased the sanctions on Deripaska's interests.

Congressional Democrats are investigating if the White House -- and even Trump himself -- exerted influence over Mnuchin's decision.