US President Donald Trump has described as “fake news” a report that he ordered the firing of special counsel Robert Mueller last June, but backed down when his own lawyer threatened to resign.
White House counsel Donald McGahn said the sacking would have a “catastrophic effect” on the presidency, the New York Times reported.
Mr Mueller is leading an inquiry into possible Trump campaign collusion with Russia to influence the US election.
Both Moscow and Mr Trump deny this.
“Fake News. Typical New York Times. Fake Stories,” Mr Trump said at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss town of Davos, where he is due to give a speech later.
Mr Mueller, a former FBI director, was appointed special counsel last May to look into the collusion allegations.
His appointment came after Mr Trump had fired FBI director James Comey, saying in an interview it was because of “this Russia thing”. Mr Mueller is also looking into whether that represented an obstruction of justice. -BBC
