President Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE on Friday told his press pool that he didn't know about reports that his national security adviser Michael Flynn discussed sanctions with Russia before he was sworn in.

When asked about the reports, Trump said, "I don't know about that. I haven't seen it. What report is that? I haven't seen that. I'll look into that."

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The press pool was referring to a report by The Washington Post, in which officials said Flynn discussed sanctions with Moscow’s ambassador to the U.S. in a private conversation before the inauguration, despite public denials by Trump administration officials.





The Post, citing current and former officials, said the FBI is still probing Flynn’s communications with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak as part of a larger investigation into Russia.

Flynn at first denied the accusation in an interview with the publication, but a spokesman later said he did not remember discussing sanctions but “couldn’t be certain” the issue was never raised. U.S. intelligence monitoring of Russian diplomats picked up on the sanctions discussion, according to intelligence officials who spoke to the Post.

The report has caused some concern over whether Flynn may have telegraphed a willingness by the new administration to ease sanctions against Moscow, which were levied by the Obama administration in December to punish Russia for its alleged meddling in the U.S. presidential election. The U.S. has also sanctioned Russia over its intervention in Ukraine.

The report has been the subject of controversy, with many condemning Flynn and calling for investigations of his discussion with the Russian ambassador.