Rudy Giuliani Rudy GiulianiThe Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting CIA found Putin 'probably directing' campaign against Biden: report Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate MORE in an interview with Politico downplayed the possibility that President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE would use executive privilege to block 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 from testifying to Congress.

"I think I’d have to hear the words ‘We’re invoking executive privilege’ to know they’ve come to that conclusion,” Giuliani told Politico.

He added that he did not speak directly with Trump on the matter.

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Giuliani's remarks were in the context of a piece that said that White House advisers were taken by surprise by Trump's tweet, with officials saying it should not be taken as an official warning that executive privilege will be used.

Trump tweeted on Sunday that Mueller should not testify and again asserted his innocence, saying there had been no conspiracy and no obstruction of justice.

Democrats are clamoring to hear from Mueller, who in a letter sent to Attorney General William Barr Bill BarrHarris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle Hillicon Valley: DOJ proposes tech liability shield reform to Congress | Treasury sanctions individuals, groups tied to Russian malign influence activities | House Republican introduces bill to set standards for self-driving cars McCarthy threatens motion to oust Pelosi if she moves forward with impeachment MORE objected to the way Barr had characterized the conclusions of his report on his 22-month probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

A Mueller hearing would be high theater on Capitol Hill, setting up the possibility that the special counsel could contradict statements by Barr.

Barr last week testified that he spoke to Mueller about his letter and characterized the special counsel's criticisms as being aimed at the media. But Mueller's letter to Barr did not mention the media.

Barr has said he does not object to Mueller testifying, though Trump's statement would appear to put him in a difficult spot.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler Jerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerDemocrats shoot down talk of expanding Supreme Court Schumer: 'Nothing is off the table' if GOP moves forward with Ginsburg replacement Top Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence MORE (D-N.Y.) previously said that Mueller should testify before the panel. Multiple news outlets reported last week that Democrats on the committee were in direct talks with Mueller about whether he would testify.