President Trump's nominee to the D.C. Circuit Court said Tuesday that he advised the White House on some legal issues surrounding special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian efforts to meddle in the 2016 election.

Greg Katsas, who serves as deputy counsel in the White House, told lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearing that he had advised the administration on "a few discrete legal questions" regarding the probe.

But he also denied that he had any involvement in Trump's controversial decision to fire former FBI Director James Comey in May. Comey's ouster ultimately prompted Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to appoint Mueller to lead the law enforcement investigation into Russian interference.

ADVERTISEMENT

Katsas said that he found out about Comey's termination when the news aired on television.

"I have given legal advice on a few discrete legal questions arising out of the investigation," Katsas said, responding to a question by the panel's top Democrat, Sen. Dianne Feinstein Dianne Emiel FeinsteinMcConnell says Trump nominee to replace Ginsburg will get Senate vote Top Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence Intensifying natural disasters do little to move needle on climate efforts MORE (Calif.). "I have no knowledge of any underlying facts regarding Russian interference."

Pressed by Feinstein about what the particular questions were that he helped address, Katsas demurred, saying that such information was privileged.

The revelation that Katsas had advised the White House on the investigation came as Mueller and his team begin interviewing current and former White House officials as part of the Russia probe. Katsas told the Judiciary Committee that he has not been asked to speak with the special counsel.

"I have not been interviewed by the special counsel, nor have I been asked to be interviewed," he said.