>> not directed, asked. >> that i felt to be inappropriate or pressure to do so. >> have you ever been asked to say something that isn't true? >> i stand by my previous statement. >> reporter: coates and rodgers told the senators they discussed their testimony with white house counsel, but they also said they had not been given direction from the white house to refuse to answer or invoke the president's executive privilege telling the committee only it would be inappropriate to discuss their conversations with the president publicly infuriating independent senator angus king. >> i'll ask both of you the same question. why are you not answering these questions? is there an invocation by the president of the united states of executive privilege? is there or not? >> not that i'm aware of. >> then why are you not answering? >> i feel it's inappropriate, senator. >> what you feel isn't relevant, admiral. what you feel isn't the answer. you swore that oath to tell us the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. and today you are refusing to do so. what is the legal basis for your refusal to testify to this