Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoOvernight Defense: Pentagon redirects pandemic funding to defense contractors | US planning for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May | Anti-Trump GOP group puts ads in military papers Overnight Defense: House Democrats unveil stopgap spending measure to GOP opposition | Bill includes .6B for new subs | Trump issues Iran sanctions after world shrugs at US action at UN Navalny calls on Russia to return clothes he was wearing when he fell ill MORE, 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 nominee for secretary of State, confirmed on Thursday that he has been interviewed by 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.

Pompeo, currently the director of the CIA, made the remarks during questioning in his confirmation hearing. He declined to answer any questions about his testimony to Mueller — or reported conversations with Trump — citing the ongoing nature of the investigation and the need for a president to speak candidly to his senior leaders.

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"I spoke with special counsel Mueller, who interviewed me — requested an interview. I cooperated," he said in response to questioning from Sen. Bob Menendez Robert (Bob) MenendezKasie Hunt to host lead-in show for MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' Senators ask for removal of tariffs on EU food, wine, spirits: report VOA visa decision could hobble Venezuela coverage MORE (D-N.J.).

"I'm not going to speak to" the subject of the conversation, he said, but cautioned that lawmakers should draw no "negative inferences or positive inferences" from his circumspection.

"I have cooperated with multiple investigations, while the investigation continues, I think that's the appropriate way to approach it."

That answer did not satisfy Menendez, who said that he did not believe Mueller would have told Pompeo that he "couldn't" speak to lawmakers about the interview, calling his silence troubling.

The admission arose as Menendez pressed Pompeo on a conversation the CIA chief reportedly had with the president, during which Trump allegedly asked him and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats Daniel (Dan) Ray CoatsFBI chief says Russia is trying to interfere in election to undermine Biden The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Trump, Biden renew push for Latino support Former Intel chief had 'deep suspicions' that Putin 'had something on Trump': book MORE if they could intervene in the federal investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn, which was being led by then-FBI Director James Comey James Brien ComeyDemocrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate Book: FBI sex crimes investigator helped trigger October 2016 public probe of Clinton emails Trump jabs at FBI director over testimony on Russia, antifa MORE.

The conversation took place in March, according to The Washington Post.

Pompeo declined to answer questions about the conversation, but said that the article's "suggestion that he asked me to do anything improper is false."

"I'm not going to talk about private conversations I've had with the president," Pompeo said. "It's appropriate for a president to have an opportunity to talk with his senior leaders."

Further, he added, "I don't recall what he asked me, but he has never asked me to do anything I consider remotely improper."