Nicole Gaudiano and David Jackson

USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo on Saturday stood by the U.S. intelligence assessment that Russia meddled in the 2016 election, despite President Trump's suggestion that he believes President Vladimir Putin's denials.

"The Director stands by and has always stood by the January 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment entitled: Assessing Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent U.S. Elections," the CIA said in a statement to CNN when asked for reaction to the president's remarks. "The intelligence assessment with regard to Russian election meddling has not changed."

After brief meetings with Putin on the sidelines of an economic summit in Asia, Trump told reporters that Putin vehemently denies interfering in the U.S. election and that, "He did not do what they are saying he did."

More:Trump: Putin denies Russia meddling in 2016 election

"Every time he sees me he says I didn’t do that and I really believe that when he tells me that, he means it," Trump said. "But he says I didn’t do that. I think he is very insulted by it, which is not a good thing for our country."

Retired Gen. Michael Hayden, the former director of the CIA and National Security Agency under President George W. Bush, tweeted the CIA's statement, and in a second tweet, wrote, "So my question is: which is the position of the US government? POTUS or CIA?" ("POTUS" refers to president of the United States.)

In his remarks to reporters, Trump singled out former CIA Director John Brennan, former National Intelligence Director James Clapper, and former FBI Director James Comey as "political hacks." Each has cited evidence about Russia election activity in 2016.

Trump's decision to fire Comey in May is the subject of an obstruction of justice investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s office. It is also probing Russian election interference and any links to Trump campaign associates.

Mueller and congressional committees are investigating Russian efforts to influence the election on Trump’s behalf by posting fake news on social media websites and hacking email accounts of top Democrats.