Former White House counsel Don McGahn interviewed Matthew Whitaker, who has since been named acting attorney general, about joining President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE's legal team last year, The New York Times reports.

McGahn, who left the White House last month, interviewed Whitaker in July 2017 about taking the position, according to the Times, which described Whitaker being interviewed to be "a legal attack dog" against 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.

The White House ultimately did not hire Whitaker, a former U.S. attorney from Iowa, who then continued a media tour last year that included writing op-eds, including one for The Hill, criticizing Mueller's sprawling investigation as having gone too far.

Trump announced Whitaker as the acting attorney general this week after asking for and accepting Attorney General Jeff Sessions Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsGOP set to release controversial Biden report Trump's policies on refugees are as simple as ABCs Ocasio-Cortez, Velázquez call for convention to decide Puerto Rico status MORE's resignation.

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The president had for over a year openly mocked Sessions and blasted his decision to recuse himself from the federal Russia probe being led by Mueller, which is examining ties between Trump's campaign and Russia during the 2016 election.

Legal experts have criticized Whitaker's appointment to lead the Justice Department, saying the position must be confirmed by the Senate. Lawmakers have also blasted Trump for installing a GOP loyalist to the position to oversee Mueller's probe.

"As an unconfirmed political appointee, Mr. Whitaker has not been subject to the scrutiny that the Constitution requires to ensure that he has the character, integrity and ability to fulfill the grave responsibilities of this job," Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) wrote Monday in a letter to Trump.

Trump on Friday defended his choice of Whitaker to replace Sessions atop the Justice Department, while claiming that he didn't know him personally.

"I didn't speak to Matt Whitaker Matthew G WhitakerEx-federal prosecutor: 'Thank God' Whitaker is gone, Barr will bring 'integrity' back to DOJ GOP pollster says Dems are relitigating 2016 election with investigations of Trump Former senior FBI official calls Whitaker hearing ‘disgraceful’ MORE about it. I don't know Matt Whitaker," Trump told reporters at the White House before leaving for a trip to Paris.

Whitaker, who served as Sessions's chief of staff at the Justice Department, reportedly met with Trump roughly a dozen times in the Oval Office.

CNN also reported that McGahn was influential in getting Whitaker to become Session's chief of staff at the Justice Department.

McGahn departed his role as White House counsel last month after the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh Brett Michael KavanaughOvernight Health Care: US coronavirus deaths hit 200,000 | Ginsburg's death puts future of ObamaCare at risk | Federal panel delays vote on initial COVID-19 vaccine distribution Senate GOP sees early Supreme Court vote as political booster shot Trump says he'll make Supreme Court pick on Saturday MORE.

Trump echoed his comments about Whitaker in tweets late Friday night, saying he had "no social contact" with him before his appointment this week.

Matthew G. Whitaker is a highly respected former U.S. Attorney from Iowa. He was chosen by Jeff Sessions to be his Chief of Staff. I did not know Mr. Whitaker. Likewise, as Chief, I did not know Mr. Whitaker except primarily as he traveled with A.G. Sessions. No social contact... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 9, 2018