The White House dismissed an investigation into the Trump administration by accusing Democrats of having a “radical agenda” that includes “killing babies after they’re born.”

The statement, posted on Twitter Tuesday morning by White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, responded to news that House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler (D-NY) sent letters to 81 people, including administration officials and others connected with the president, for documents regarding potential administration misdeeds. The request follows last week’s testimony by Michael Cohen, a former personal attorney for President Trump, before the House Oversight Committee.

Statement on Chairman Nadler’s fishing expedition. pic.twitter.com/tBsVzrtGYg

— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) March 5, 2019

Sanders’ statement repeated the false claim that doctors are committing infanticide as a form of abortion. The claim has gained traction among anti-choice activists and conservative politicians since comments by embattled Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) were misconstrued amid a debate over a state bill that would have removed some barriers to access for later abortion care.

Amanda Thayer, deputy national communications director for NARAL Pro-Choice America, told Rewire.News in a statement that the White House was attempting to create a distraction. “It’s not surprising that their move is to attack abortion and use lies and inflammatory language to do so,” said Thayer. “Trump and the GOP try to use extreme diversionary tactics aimed at criminalizing abortion when they’re in hot water. They’re desperate to deliver a win to their base right now, and they don’t blink an eye if that means throwing women and families under the bus as a bargaining chip.”

Aaron Scherb, director of legislative affairs at government watchdog group Common Cause, told Rewire.News that he thinks the White House is feeling increased pressure and is lashing out using the false infanticide claim and other political divisions.

“I think [the White House is] really ramping up that rhetoric now because the investigations are getting closer and closer to President Trump himself,” he said in an interview with Rewire.News. “This press statement from the White House is a classic example of trying to pivot and just turn the tables and ignore the subject at hand. [They’re] focusing on extremely divisive issues, they’re trying to fear-monger and scare Americans to change the subject as this White House has continuously done throughout its two-plus years in office.”