'Trump asked DNI, NSA to deny evidence of Russia collusion'

President Donald Trump asked two of the government's top intelligence chiefs to publicly deny evidence of cooperation between his campaign and Russia during the 2016 election, multiple current and former US officials confirmed to CNN on Monday.

The revelations, first reported by The Washington Post, deepen the intrigue over alleged links between Trump's campaign and Russia. They follow the President's firing of FBI Director James Comey and subsequent statement he sacked Comey because of the Russia probe. Trump, on his first major trip abroad as President, has sought to shake off the damaging political blowback from the drama, exacerbated by the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller last week.

The President's treatment of Comey has raised questions about whether he abused his powers by seeking to discredit the FBI investigation or risked giving the impression that he was obstructing justice, a debate now given new life by the latest revelations. Trump spoke to Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and National Security Agency Director Adm. Michael Rogers after Comey revealed in March that the bureau had launched a probe into alleged collusion. Both Coats and Rogers were uncomfortable with the nature of the President's request and refused to comply, the sources with knowledge of the situation told CNN.

Coats declined to comment during a Senate armed services committee hearing Tuesday, that had been previously scheduled. The White House declined to comment on the details of Trump's contacts with Rogers and Coats.

"The White House does not confirm or deny unsubstantiated claims based on illegal leaks from anonymous individuals," said a White House spokesperson who declined to be named. "The President will continue to focus on his agenda that he was elected to pursue by the American people."

The revelations deepen the intrigue over alleged links between Trump's campaign and Russia, and follow the President's firing of Comey and subsequent statement he sacked him because of the Russia probe. Trump, on first major trip abroad as President, has sought to shake off the damaging political blowback from the drama, exacerbated by the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller last week.

The President's treatment of Comey has raised questions about whether he abused his powers by seeking to discredit the FBI investigation or risked giving the impression that he was obstructing justice, a debate now given new life by the latest revelations.

Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, and railed against the investigations into his campaign's alleged ties to Russia.