President Donald Trump Thursday responded with a direct "no, no" to a question about whether he asked former FBI Director James Comey to shelf an investigation into his former national security adviser.
Trump also was questioned over revelations that he had shared secrets with the Russians. He denied this as well.
Comey associates this week revealed the existence of a memo Comey wrote after his Feb. 14 meeting with Trump in which he says the president asked him to shut down the FBI investigation into ousted National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.
Trump sent Comey a letter last week abruptly firing him.
Trump says that the appointment of a special counsel for the ongoing investigation into his campaign's ties to Russia "divides the country."
Trump was reacting to the appointment of former FBI Director Robert Mueller to lead the investigation after he fired FBI Director James Comey.
Trump said he respects "the entire thing" but said that he personally has no ties to Russia.
He reiterated his earlier comments that the investigation is a "witch hunt," adding, "we want to bring this country of ours together."
Trump was speaking in a joint press conference with Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos.
