CIA Director 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 said Thursday that he would not resign if he were secretary of State and 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 fired Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein Rod RosensteinDOJ kept investigators from completing probe of Trump ties to Russia: report Five takeaways from final Senate Intel Russia report FBI officials hid copies of Russia probe documents fearing Trump interference: book MORE to stymie the investigation into Russian election interference.

Pompeo, whom Trump has nominated to be the nation's top diplomat, was asked by Sen. Christopher Coons Christopher (Chris) Andrew CoonsMurkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight Sunday shows - Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death dominates MORE (D-Del.) if he would resign his position “in order to demonstrate that we are a nation of laws, not of men” if Rosenstein were fired.

ADVERTISEMENT

“My instincts tell me no,” Pompeo said. “My instincts tell me that my obligation is to continue to serve as America’s senior diplomat would be more important at increased times of political and domestic turmoil.”

“We’ve seen this in America before, right? This wouldn’t be the first time that there’s been enormous political turmoil. My recollection of history is that previous secretaries of State stayed the course,” he continued.

Trump has reportedly been mulling whether to fire Rosenstein, who is overseeing 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’s investigation into Russian interference.

Earlier this week, the FBI raided the office, home and hotel room of Trump’s personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, in connection with the Mueller investigation. Rosenstein is said to have personally approved the search.

Trump assailed the Russia investigation following the events, calling it “fake and corrupt.”

“Mueller is most conflicted of all (except Rosenstein who signed FISA & Comey letter). No Collusion, so they go crazy!” the president tweeted Wednesday.

Pompeo said Thursday he is “confident” he would not resign his post if Trump moved to fire the deputy attorney general.

“Having not given it a great deal of thought, I’m confident that’s the path I would take,” Pompeo said.

“I would urge you to give it some thought,” Coons replied.