WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Congressional committees carrying out an impeachment investigation of US President Donald Trump on Friday ordered the White House to turn over documents to support its probe, the panel said.

A statement from the heads of the Democratic-led committees said they sent a letter to acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney demanding documents related to allegations that Trump pressured Ukraine for political favours.

“The White House has refused to engage with — or even respond to — multiple requests for documents from our Committees on a voluntary basis. After nearly a month of stonewalling, it appears clear that the President has chosen the path of defiance, obstruction, and cover-up,” the chairmen said in the statement.

“We deeply regret that President Trump has put us — and the nation — in this position, but his actions have left us with no choice but to issue this subpoena.”

The White House was given an October 18 deadline to turn over the requested files.