Top Trump adviser issues a big challenge to a former Obama aide

Sebastian Gorka, deputy assistant to President Donald Trump, issued a big challenge to a former top aide from the Obama administration. It was in reference to a jab that CNN's Jake Tapper made Thursday at Gorka's academic credentials.

Gorka issued the challenge from his Twitter account in response to a suggestion by a supporter who tweeted, "[Jake Tapper] says [Ben Rhodes] would put his 'graduate degree' against [Sebastian Gorka's] PhD [sic] any day of the week. Okay Jake, host the debate then."

"I'd be delighted," he tweeted. "What say you Mr. [Rhodes,] Mr. [Tapper]?"

The tweet contained a video of a very combative exchange between Jake Tapper and Gorka. Toward the end, the Trump aide mocks a former Trump aide's graduate degree, and Tapper jabs back at him.

Gorka criticized "policies that were borne in the beltway by people who've never worn a uniform, people that were in the White House like Ben Rhodes."

"They helped create the firestorm that is the Middle East that is ISIS today," he explained. "So we are open to new ideas because the last 16 years have failed American national interests, and the American taxpayer."

"There were plenty of people who wore the uniform who advised President Obama and President Bush," Tapper challenged.

"Not people as influential as Ben Rhodes who had a master's degree in fictional writing," Gorka responded. "That is disastrous."

"Well, I'm sure he would put his graduate degree against yours any day of the week," Tapper jabbed. "Sebastian Gorka, I appreciate your time."

"Anytime, I'd be glad to debate him on your show," he responded.

Critics of Gorka have accused him of dubious academic credentials — he has a doctorate in political science from Corvinus University of Budapest. Rhodes has not responded to the challenge yet.