President Donald Trump has expressed concerns that any statements made under oath to Special Counsel Robert Mueller could be used to bring perjury charges against him as part of the probe into Russia's election interference.

In an interview with Reuters Monday, Trump echoed the concerns of his lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who has warned that an interview with the veteran prosecutor could be a 'perjury trap'.

The president is worried that any discrepancies between what he says and statements by others who have testified in the probe, such as former FBI Director James Comey, would be used against him.

'So if I say something and [Comey] says something, and it's my word against his, and he's best friends with Mueller, so Mueller might say: "Well, I believe Comey," and even if I'm telling the truth, that makes me a liar. That's no good,' he said.

Despite his concerns, Trump did not comment on whether he would ultimately agree to an interview with Mueller, who is, among other things, investigating whether Trump's campaign team colluded with Russians during the 2016 election and whether Trump has obstructed justice in the probe.

President Donald Trump expressed concerns that any statements he makes under oath to Special Counsel Robert Mueller could be used to bring perjury charges in an interview Monday

Trump did not comment on whether he would ultimately agree to an interview with Mueller, who is, among other things, investigating whether Trump's campaign team colluded with Russians during the 2016 election and whether Trump has obstructed justice in the probe

In the same interview Monday, Trump baldly declared he has the authority to either assist in or take over the investigation that he has repeatedly decried as a 'witch hunt' by Mueller's team of 'angry democrats'.

'I can go in, and I could do whatever - I could run it if I want. But I decided to stay out,' he said.

'I´m totally allowed to be involved if I wanted to be. So far, I haven´t chosen to be involved. I´ll stay out.'

Trump declined to say whether he might strip Mueller of his security clearance, as he recently did to former CIA Director John Brennan, a formidable outside critic who called the president's appearance with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month 'treasonous'.

'I haven´t given it a lot of thought,' Trump said of Mueller's clearance.

Trump declared that he has the authority to intervene in Mueller's investigation, which he has repeatedly decried as a 'witch hunt', but that he has chosen to stay out of it

Trump echoed concerns of his lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who has warned that interviewing with the special counsel could be a 'perjury trap'

Speaking to Reuters in the Oval Office, the president repeatedly called the investigation a disgrace and argued that Mueller and other members of his team are biased.

Trump blamed the investigation for hampering his efforts to strengthen the country´s relationship with Russia and for sowing discord among the American public.

He again neglected to blame Russia for interfering in the 2016 election, a conclusion reached by the US intelligence community.

The probe, he said: 'played right into the Russians - if it was Russia - they played right into the Russians' hands.'

The White House, Trump and family members have offered conflicting statements about a June 2016 meeting in Trump Tower between Donald Trump Jr, Paul Manafort, and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner with Russians who offered dirt on rival Hillary Clinton.

Monday was the third day of jury deliberations in the trial of Trump's former campaign chair Manafort. The Jury concluded the day without reaching a verdict.

Last week Trump had spoken in defense of Manafort, who could go to jail for the rest of his life if convicted and faces 18 charges on tax and fraud issues.

'I think it's a very sad day for our country. He worked for me for a very short period of time, but you know what? He happens to be a very good person. And I think it's very sad what they've done to Paul Manafort,' Trump said.

Trump said the probe has 'played right into the Russians - if it was Russia - they played right into the Russians' hands'

Trump is pictured with First Lady Melania Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin after a news conference at the Presidential Palace last month

Trump also went after the Mueller probe on Twitter earlier Monday.

'Where's the Collusion? They made up a phony crime called Collusion, and when there was no Collusion they say there was Obstruction (of a phony crime that never existed). If you FIGHT BACK or say anything bad about the Rigged Witch Hunt, they scream Obstruction!' he wrote.

Trump charged the special counsel's team with 'looking for trouble' and making up a 'phony crime called collusion' as his lawyers are realizing they don't know what top White House lawyer Don McGahn told the investigation during 30 hours of testimony on the Russia probe.

Trump went after the Mueller probe on Twitter earlier Monday

In another part of Monday's interview, Trump listed general areas he spoke about during his Helsinki summit with Putin.

There was no note-taker and his director of national intelligence has said he doesn't know the details of what went on.

He listed Israel's security, Syria – where the US and Russia are at odds – and Russia's annexation of Crimea. That action drew sanctions from the Obama administration. He also mentioned the Nord Stream 2 pipeline between Russia to Germany, something he blasted Germany for during the NATO summit last month.

Trump said Putin didn't raise sanctions with him. He said he would consider lifting sanctions if Russia took steps on areas like Syria or Ukraine – although many sanctions are set in law.

'I would consider it if they do something that would be good for us. But I wouldn't consider it without that,' Trump said.