"My values are those of the country," Tillerson said. | AP Photo Tillerson on Trump relationship: 'I will never compromise my own values'

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Saturday he is "not at all" concerned about the level of independence he has under President Donald Trump following the firing of FBI Director James Comey.

"I have a great relationship with the president. I understand what his objectives are," Tillerson told NBC News' "Meet the Press" in an interview to be broadcast Sunday. "When I'm not clear on what his objectives are, we talk about it. But I am devoted to helping the president achieve his objectives, helping him be successful."


Comey was fired Tuesday. According to a POLITICO database, Tillerson has met with Trump 22 times.

Tillerson added that he understands he has "to earn his confidence every day with how I go about those affairs and how I go about conducting the State Department's activities consistent with the direction he wants to take the country."

When asked by host Chuck Todd where the line is between serving Trump and serving the country, Tillerson said he "will never compromise my own values."

"I will never compromise my own values, Chuck," he said. "And so that's my only line. And my values are those of the country."