>> you're talking about a hypothetical. it's not clear what was asked or what was said. as long as you are following your oath of office, you can also be faithful to the administration. >> faithful is not -- i'll move to a new question. you said you would not respond to the question to say whether or not the president of the united states had asked you to initiate criminal prosecutions again political adversaries, you would not disclose whether or not those conversations took place. >> i said i would disclose if i was told to do something improper. >> what about if you were encouraged to do something improper, to initiate a criminal investigation? that's not appropriate to do, is it? >> several of your colleagues on both sides have encouraged me today, congressman, as i've explained, i'd make may decisions based on the evidence and the law. >> but the act of a president, separate and apart what you will do, that very action is not appropriate. >> you're free to make that judgment. >> nurmt isn't that