"Trying to fend off the growing criticism, Trump’s top lawyer invited lawmakers from both parties to view classified information at the White House"
Fudge
How would the reporter know why he did this, he only knows what he did, and the context.
"Clarification" could have been the motive and it is not he same as "fending off".
A better report might have been
"Amid the growing criticism, Trump’s top lawyer invited lawmakers from both parties to view classified information at the White House"