President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general continued efforts to distance himself from the president Tuesday as he testified before Senators at his confirmation hearing.

Under questioning by the Senate Judiciary Committee, William Barr said he would not "not carry out" any order to fire special counsel Robert Mueller without cause.

The comments were in response to a question from Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware.

Mueller's team is examining potential ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign. Barr said repeatedly Tuesday he wants Mueller to finish the investigation.

Trump's nominee was also asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is a friend or a foe to the United States.

Barr said while Russia is a "potent rival" of the U.S. with foreign policy objectives "usually at direct contrary," he minimized the threat from Moscow and said China, not Russia is the "primary rival" of the United States.

Throughout his testimony, Barr acknowledged Russian attempts to meddle in the 2016 election but said Russia "is half the size it was was" during the Cold War with an economy nowhere near the size of China's.

And he said he's concerned "that the fixation on Russia not obscure the danger from China."

On a separate topic, Barr told the committee he can't rule out jailing reporters for doing their jobs.

In  response to a question from Sen. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, Barr said that there are certain situations where a reporter could be held in contempt "as a last resort."

Barr said the situations he was envisioning would involve news organizations "putting out stuff that is hurting the country."

POOL

Washington, DC - 15 January 2019

1. Wide shot of William Barr sitting before the Senate Judiciary Committee as it returns from break

2. Wide cutaway of committee

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Chris Coons, Democrat, Delaware:

"So most famously when directed by President Nixon to fire the special counsel the prosecutor investigating Watergate, Richardson refused and resigned instead as we all well know. If the president directed you to change those regulations and then fire Mueller or simply directly fire Mueller, would you follow Richardson's example and resign instead?"

4. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"Assuming there was no good cause?

(Coons: Assuming no good cause.)

I would not carry out that instruction."

5. Cutaway of Coons

6. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"As I said, I'm going to carry out those regulations and I want him to finish this investigation."

7. Wide shot of hearing

8. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"Well I don't hold myself out as a foreign policy expert but I think that he is, I think the Russians are a potent rival of our country and his foreign policy objectives are usually at directly contrary to our goals. I think he wants to weaken the American alliances in Europe and he also wants to become a player in the Middle East, more of a player in the Middle East. A lot of his foreign policy objectives are are at odds with ours. At the same time, I think the primary rival of the United States is China. I think, you know, Russia is half the size it was when we were facing them at the peak of the Cold War. Their economy is, long term prognosis, is nowhere near China's. But I'm concerned that the fixation on Russia not obscure the danger from China."

9. Wide shot of hearing

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Democrat, Minnesota:

"If you're confirmed, will the Justice Department jail reporters for doing their jobs?"

11. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"I think that, you know, there are guidelines in place and I can conceive of situations where you know, as a last resort and where a news organization has run through a red flag or something like that, knows that they're putting out stuff that will hurt the country, there might be, there could be a situation where someone would be held in contempt."

12. Wide shot of hearing

President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general continued efforts to distance himself from the president Tuesday as he testified before Senators at his confirmation hearing.

Under questioning by the Senate Judiciary Committee, William Barr said he would not "not carry out" any order to fire special counsel Robert Mueller without cause.

The comments were in response to a question from Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware.

Mueller's team is examining potential ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign. Barr said repeatedly Tuesday he wants Mueller to finish the investigation.

Trump's nominee was also asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is a friend or a foe to the United States.

Barr said while Russia is a "potent rival" of the U.S. with foreign policy objectives "usually at direct contrary," he minimized the threat from Moscow and said China, not Russia is the "primary rival" of the United States.

Throughout his testimony, Barr acknowledged Russian attempts to meddle in the 2016 election but said Russia "is half the size it was was" during the Cold War with an economy nowhere near the size of China's.

And he said he's concerned "that the fixation on Russia not obscure the danger from China."

On a separate topic, Barr told the committee he can't rule out jailing reporters for doing their jobs.

In  response to a question from Sen. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, Barr said that there are certain situations where a reporter could be held in contempt "as a last resort."

Barr said the situations he was envisioning would involve news organizations "putting out stuff that is hurting the country."

POOL

Washington, DC - 15 January 2019

1. Wide shot of William Barr sitting before the Senate Judiciary Committee as it returns from break

2. Wide cutaway of committee

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Chris Coons, Democrat, Delaware:

"So most famously when directed by President Nixon to fire the special counsel the prosecutor investigating Watergate, Richardson refused and resigned instead as we all well know. If the president directed you to change those regulations and then fire Mueller or simply directly fire Mueller, would you follow Richardson's example and resign instead?"

4. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"Assuming there was no good cause?

(Coons: Assuming no good cause.)

I would not carry out that instruction."

5. Cutaway of Coons

6. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"As I said, I'm going to carry out those regulations and I want him to finish this investigation."

7. Wide shot of hearing

8. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"Well I don't hold myself out as a foreign policy expert but I think that he is, I think the Russians are a potent rival of our country and his foreign policy objectives are usually at directly contrary to our goals. I think he wants to weaken the American alliances in Europe and he also wants to become a player in the Middle East, more of a player in the Middle East. A lot of his foreign policy objectives are are at odds with ours. At the same time, I think the primary rival of the United States is China. I think, you know, Russia is half the size it was when we were facing them at the peak of the Cold War. Their economy is, long term prognosis, is nowhere near China's. But I'm concerned that the fixation on Russia not obscure the danger from China."

9. Wide shot of hearing

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Democrat, Minnesota:

"If you're confirmed, will the Justice Department jail reporters for doing their jobs?"

11. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"I think that, you know, there are guidelines in place and I can conceive of situations where you know, as a last resort and where a news organization has run through a red flag or something like that, knows that they're putting out stuff that will hurt the country, there might be, there could be a situation where someone would be held in contempt."

12. Wide shot of hearing

The top Democrat on the US House of Representatives' intelligence committee says Russian interference "unquestionably" had an influence on the 2016 US presidential election.

California congressman Adam Schiff made the remark in an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Schiff also commented on a former foreign policy adviser to President Donald Trump's campaign who has acknowledged in testimony to Congress that he had contact with a high-level Russian official while on a trip to Russia last year.

The congressman also urged Republican and Democrat leaders to support special counsel Robert Mueller in his investigation.

Washington DC - 7 November 2017

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Adam Schiff, Democratic member of the US House of Representatives and ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee: ++VARIOUS ANGLES++

"I think unquestionably it had an influence on the election. It influenced the election by millions and millions of Americans seeing Russian content on social media pushed out by the Kremlin. It had an effect in that the Russians were dumping emails that forced Hillary Clinton on a daily basis to have to defend herself and the campaign, and it changed the topic of the conversation on the campaign trail. But again the very best proof that the Trump campaign viewed the Russian interference as influential is the fact that the president used it as a central part of his campaign speeches on a daily basis."

2. Cutaway of audience

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Adam Schiff, Democratic member of the US House of Representatives and ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee:

"And the single greatest impediment to getting to that consensus is the President of the United States, who refuses to admit it even happened, who to this day calls it a hoax and a witchhunt. So he is I think quite deliberately for his own reasons preventing the country from coming together around a defence to further Russian meddling."

5. Wide of Schiff and AP Washington Bureau Chief Julie Pace

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Adam Schiff, Democratic member of the US House of Representatives and ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee: ++VARIOUS ANGLES++

"First, it was apparent right from the very beginning of the hearing that what Carter Page (foreign policy adviser to Trump's 2016 presidential campaign) had been saying publicly was completely at odds with what he would later testify to. And the documentary evidence that we were already in possession of so publicly even to up to two days before coming before Congress he was saying that when he went to Russia it was as a private citizen, he had no meetings of any consequence. It was basically talking to your man on the street, but as now has been revealed when we released the transcript, he met with people as high as the deputy prime minister of Russia."

(AP Washington Bureau Chief Julie Pace: "Which he's denied previously.")

"Which he denied previously, even at the very beginning of his interview I asked him: 'Did you have any private conversations any private meetings with Russian government officials?' (His response was) 'No, absolutely not.' But he sends a memo back to the campaign - which in itself is significant, because he was claiming this was a private trip - sends a memo saying that in a private conversation, basically, that I had with the deputy prime minister and others in the presidential administration and members of the Duma I gained important insight and outreach that I want to share with the campaign. Completely at odds with what you have been saying publicly."

7. Wide of Schiff and Pace

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Adam Schiff, Democratic member of the US House of Representatives and ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee: ++VARIOUS ANGLES++

"The most important thing I think that we can do right now is speak out on a very bipartisan basis that the President needs to leave (special counsel) Bob Mueller alone and finish this work, and I think that's the most important because we don't want to wait till there's a constitutional crisis. We need the White House to get the message now that that there will be a dramatic pushback should he try to fire Bob Mueller."

9. Audience member asking question

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Adam Schiff, Democratic member of the US House of Representatives and ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee:

"Probably the lowest hanging fruit is we're going to require that the tech companies, when they do political advertising, carry the same kind of disclaimer that other media are required to carry. So a paid ad on Facebook is going to need to disclose that it was paid for by what campaign then the candidate endorses the message. They were a carve out. They're not going to be carved out anymore."

11. Schiff and Pace

U.S. Secretary of State nominee, the current CIA Director Mike Pompeo, confirmed that he met with special counsel Robert Mueller's investigate team.

His confirmation hearing began Thursday on Capitol Hill.

Pompeo won't say what he spoke about with Mueller's team.

He says he's cooperated with multiple investigations in the past and believes that when investigations are ongoing, it's best not to talk about it.

Pompeo also told lawmakers that if confirmed he will restore the State Department as the country's pre-eminent foreign policy agency and fill positions left vacant under Rex Tillerson.

Meanwhile, protesters interrupted the start of the hearing in the Senate, chanting "No Pompeo" and "No more war." One interrupted Republican Sen. Pat Roberts' opening statement.

Fellow Kansan, former Sen. Bob Dole made a rare appearance at the hearing.

The 94-year-old said Pompeo is "ready to go" in the job of Secretary of State.

POOL

Washington - 12 April 2018

1. Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo walks into hearing room, pan to "Code Pink" protester

2. Sen. Bob corker gavels hearing into session

3. Wide of witness table

4. "Code Pink" protester stands up and is removed by police officer

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Former Sen. Bob Dole, (R) Kansas:

"Mike Pompeo. I don't know, he just a brilliant guy. Top of his class at West Point and businessman, Congressman, father, husband and all those things added up, with the experience he has, he's ready to go and we thank you for holding this hearing."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Bob Corker, (R) Tennessee:

"However, many strong voices have been terminated or resigned. That's why I think it's fair for our members to ask whether your relationship is rooted in a candid, healthy, give and take dynamic or whether it's based on deferential willingness to go along to get along."

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Bob Menendez, (D) New Jersey:

"This is about Russia and so at the end of the day understanding how you responded. What you will do as we're looking at mandatory sanctions that the administration has yet to impose. Looking at how we're going to deal with a Russia that not only sought to affect our last elections, but is doing so even as we speak both here at home and across the world. Those are substantive questions."

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State Nominee:

"So you talked about the important, policy issues. I'm happy to talk about this administration's work on Russia. I'm happy to talk about our work on sanctions if that's what you'd (Menendez) let me ask you this. Did President Trump ever discuss the FBI or special counsel, Russia's investigation with you? (Pompeo) Senator again I'm not going to talk about private conversations I've had with the president. (Menendez) So--so whenever you come, if you were to be confirmed in the future would want to try to talk about foreign policy and we ask you where is the president at or this or that you're not going to. (Pompeo). Senator. Senator. I'm happy to answer questions about our administration's policies, the work that we're doing. You're asking about conversations. You should know senator as well, I have provided, I spoke with special counsel Mueller, who interviewed me, requested an interview. I cooperated. Your colleagues on the Senate Intelligence Committee have asked for information from me and from the Central Intelligence Agency as the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. I think the leaders of those two organizations in a bipartisan way that would say I've been cooperative and in matters of late (Menendez) You have spoken to Special Counsel Muller. (Pompeo) Yes that's right. (Menendez) And what was the subject of that conversation? (Pompeo) Senator I'm not going to speak to that. (Menendez) Did the special counsel tell you not to speak about these things? (Pompeo) Senator, I have cooperated with multiple investigations while the investigation continues. I think that's the appropriate way to approach it."

9. Sen. James Risch, (R) Idaho asking question

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State Nominee:

"At State Department, there are too many holes, too many vacancies, too many unfilled positions. When that happens every one stretch then and the subject matter expertise that is needed to deliver America's diplomacy around the world, to conduct its mission, its humanitarian missions, its development missions. Each of the missions to which are entrusted to the State Department require talented people on station doing their part. Working alongside it."

11. Wide of hearing

U.S. Secretary of State nominee, the current CIA Director Mike Pompeo, confirmed that he met with special counsel Robert Mueller's investigate team.

His confirmation hearing began Thursday on Capitol Hill.

Pompeo won't say what he spoke about with Mueller's team.

He says he's cooperated with multiple investigations in the past and believes that when investigations are ongoing, it's best not to talk about it.

Pompeo also told lawmakers that if confirmed he will restore the State Department as the country's pre-eminent foreign policy agency and fill positions left vacant under Rex Tillerson.

Meanwhile, protesters interrupted the start of the hearing in the Senate, chanting "No Pompeo" and "No more war." One interrupted Republican Sen. Pat Roberts' opening statement.

Fellow Kansan, former Sen. Bob Dole made a rare appearance at the hearing.

The 94-year-old said Pompeo is "ready to go" in the job of Secretary of State.

POOL

Washington - 12 April 2018

1. Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo walks into hearing room, pan to "Code Pink" protester

2. Sen. Bob corker gavels hearing into session

3. Wide of witness table

4. "Code Pink" protester stands up and is removed by police officer

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Former Sen. Bob Dole, (R) Kansas:

"Mike Pompeo. I don't know, he just a brilliant guy. Top of his class at West Point and businessman, Congressman, father, husband and all those things added up, with the experience he has, he's ready to go and we thank you for holding this hearing."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Bob Corker, (R) Tennessee:

"However, many strong voices have been terminated or resigned. That's why I think it's fair for our members to ask whether your relationship is rooted in a candid, healthy, give and take dynamic or whether it's based on deferential willingness to go along to get along."

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Bob Menendez, (D) New Jersey:

"This is about Russia and so at the end of the day understanding how you responded. What you will do as we're looking at mandatory sanctions that the administration has yet to impose. Looking at how we're going to deal with a Russia that not only sought to affect our last elections, but is doing so even as we speak both here at home and across the world. Those are substantive questions."

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State Nominee:

"So you talked about the important, policy issues. I'm happy to talk about this administration's work on Russia. I'm happy to talk about our work on sanctions if that's what you'd (Menendez) let me ask you this. Did President Trump ever discuss the FBI or special counsel, Russia's investigation with you? (Pompeo) Senator again I'm not going to talk about private conversations I've had with the president. (Menendez) So--so whenever you come, if you were to be confirmed in the future would want to try to talk about foreign policy and we ask you where is the president at or this or that you're not going to. (Pompeo). Senator. Senator. I'm happy to answer questions about our administration's policies, the work that we're doing. You're asking about conversations. You should know senator as well, I have provided, I spoke with special counsel Mueller, who interviewed me, requested an interview. I cooperated. Your colleagues on the Senate Intelligence Committee have asked for information from me and from the Central Intelligence Agency as the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. I think the leaders of those two organizations in a bipartisan way that would say I've been cooperative and in matters of late (Menendez) You have spoken to Special Counsel Muller. (Pompeo) Yes that's right. (Menendez) And what was the subject of that conversation? (Pompeo) Senator I'm not going to speak to that. (Menendez) Did the special counsel tell you not to speak about these things? (Pompeo) Senator, I have cooperated with multiple investigations while the investigation continues. I think that's the appropriate way to approach it."

9. Sen. James Risch, (R) Idaho asking question

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State Nominee:

"At State Department, there are too many holes, too many vacancies, too many unfilled positions. When that happens every one stretch then and the subject matter expertise that is needed to deliver America's diplomacy around the world, to conduct its mission, its humanitarian missions, its development missions. Each of the missions to which are entrusted to the State Department require talented people on station doing their part. Working alongside it."

11. Wide of hearing

U.S. Secretary of State nominee, the current CIA Director Mike Pompeo, confirmed that he met with special counsel Robert Mueller's investigate team.

His confirmation hearing began Thursday on Capitol Hill.

Pompeo won't say what he spoke about with Mueller's team.

He says he's co-operated with multiple investigations in the past and believes that when investigations are ongoing, it's best not to talk about it.

Pompeo also told lawmakers that if confirmed he will restore the State Department as the country's pre-eminent foreign policy agency and fill positions left vacant under Rex Tillerson.

Meanwhile, protesters interrupted the start of the hearing in the Senate, chanting "No Pompeo" and "No more war." One interrupted Republican Sen. Pat Roberts' opening statement.

Fellow Kansan, former Sen. Bob Dole made a rare appearance at the hearing.

The 94-year-old said Pompeo is "ready to go" in the job of Secretary of State.

POOL

Washington - 12 April 2018

1. Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo walks into hearing room, pan to "Code Pink" protester

2. Sen. Bob corker gavels hearing into session

3. Wide of witness table

4. "Code Pink" protester stands up and is removed by police officer

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Former Sen. Bob Dole, (R) Kansas:

"Mike Pompeo. I don't know, he just a brilliant guy. Top of his class at West Point and businessman, Congressman, father, husband and all those things added up, with the experience he has, he's ready to go and we thank you for holding this hearing."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Bob Corker, (R) Tennessee:

"However, many strong voices have been terminated or resigned. That's why I think it's fair for our members to ask whether your relationship is rooted in a candid, healthy, give and take dynamic or whether it's based on deferential willingness to go along to get along."

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Bob Menendez, (D) New Jersey:

"This is about Russia and so at the end of the day understanding how you responded. What you will do as we're looking at mandatory sanctions that the administration has yet to impose. Looking at how we're going to deal with a Russia that not only sought to affect our last elections, but is doing so even as we speak both here at home and across the world. Those are substantive questions."

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State Nominee:

"So you talked about the important, policy issues. I'm happy to talk about this administration's work on Russia. I'm happy to talk about our work on sanctions if that's what you'd

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Bob Menendez, (D) New Jersey:

"Let me ask you this. Did President Trump ever discuss the FBI or special counsel, Russia's investigation with you?"

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State Nominee:

"Senator again I'm not going to talk about private conversations I've had with the president.

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Bob Menendez, (D) New Jersey:

"So--so whenever you come, if you were to be confirmed in the future would want to try to talk about foreign policy and we ask you where is the president at or this or that you're not going to."

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State Nominee:

"Senator. Senator. I'm happy to answer questions about our administration's policies, the work that we're doing. You're asking about conversations. You should know senator as well, I have provided, I spoke with special counsel Mueller, who interviewed me, requested an interview. I co-operated. Your colleagues on the Senate Intelligence Committee have asked for information from me and from the Central Intelligence Agency as the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. I think the leaders of those two organisations in a bipartisan way that would say I've been co-operative and in matters of late.

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Bob Menendez, (D) New Jersey:

"You have spoken to Special Counsel Muller. (Pompeo) Yes that's right. (Menendez) And what was the subject of that conversation?

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State Nominee:

"Senator I'm not going to speak to that. (Menendez) Did the special counsel tell you not to speak about these things? (Pompeo) Senator, I have co-operated with multiple investigations while the investigation continues. I think that's the appropriate way to approach it."

15. Sen. James Risch, (R) Idaho asking question

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State Nominee:

"At State Department, there are too many holes, too many vacancies, too many unfilled positions. When that happens every one stretch then and the subject matter expertise that is needed to deliver America's diplomacy around the world, to conduct its mission, its humanitarian missions, its development missions. Each of the missions to which are entrusted to the State Department require talented people on station doing their part. Working alongside it."

17. Wide of hearing