White House counsel Don McGahn on Thursday was not asked about his role in the recent White House controversy over security clearances, and instead spoke about the Trump administration's efforts to appoint judges and rein in government regulation.

McGahn made a 20-minute appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) and was interviewed by Larry Arnn, president of Hillsdale College. Questions were not taken from the crowd.

The interview focused entirely on the Trump administration’s approach to the judicial branch, a popular subject with the CPAC crowd.

“The president looks for people with excellent credentials. What the president likes are folks who have demonstrated some sort of courage to stand strong in face of adversity. People who you know on the bench will not change and turn into someone else,” McGahn said.

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He then praised Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, who was appointed and confirmed last year. Gorsuch’s background and expertise fits the Trump administration’s efforts to rein in regulation, McGahn said.

McGahn’s appearance comes a couple weeks after it was reported he knew of domestic abuse allegations against former White House staff secretary Rob Porter for months before Porter resigned.

The Washington Post reported that McGahn knew about allegations from Porter’s two ex-wives of physical and emotional abuse as far back as January 2017, but wanted him to remain on staff.

Porter resigned earlier this month after the allegations were reported publicly.

President Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE reportedly asked McGahn to fire special counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE last summer, but McGahn threatened to quit in response. McGahn has since spoken with Mueller’s team as part of the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election.