WASHINGTON—U.S. President Donald Trump urged his former national security adviser to strike an immunity deal Friday, even as congressional investigators rebuffed Michael Flynn’s offer of co-operation in exchange for protection from prosecution.

Trump tweeted that Flynn, the adviser he fired in February, should ask for immunity because he’s facing “a witch hunt.”

The president weighed in the day after Flynn’s attorney confirmed the immunity discussions with intelligence committees in both the Senate and House that are investigating Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

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A congressional aide confirmed that preliminary discussions with the Senate intelligence committee involved immunity but that it was too early in the investigation to set terms. The aide was not authorized to discuss private conversations and spoke on condition of anonymity. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It was unclear from Trump’s tweet whether he was advising the Justice Department or the congressional panels to give his former adviser immunity. The president is not supposed to direct ongoing investigations.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Trump just wants Flynn to testify, and there are no concerns that Flynn could implicate the president in any wrongdoing.

The top Democrat on the House intelligence committee, Rep. Adam Schiff of California, said committee leaders would be discussing the issue with their Senate counterparts and the Justice Department.

“We should first acknowledge what a grave and momentous step it is for a former national security adviser to the president of the United States to ask for immunity from prosecution,” Schiff said in a statement.

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