Lawmakers from Trump's own Republican Party warned the president they would not confirm a new attorney general if Sessions - a former senator - was fired.

"It would be a very, very, very bad idea to fire the attorney general because he's not executing his job as a political hack," said Senator Ben Sasse.

HUSH PAYMENTS 'NOT A CRIME'?

Trump's story about Cohen's payments has changed multiple times over the past year, and in the Fox interview aired Thursday, he tried several ways of defusing the allegations.

Trump claimed his former lawyer "made the deals," and insisted that Cohen's actions were "not a crime," while going on to claim that "campaign violations are considered not a big deal, frankly."

Trump then said the hush payments were financed with his own money - to which Cohen had access - and that while he had no knowledge of them at the time, he had since been fully transparent.

In entering a guilty plea, Cohen said under oath that the payments were made "in coordination with and at the direction of a candidate for federal office" - a clear reference to Trump.

Cohen also has pleaded guilty to six counts of fraud.

COOPERATING 'ALMOST OUGHT TO BE OUTLAWED'

In the sit-down with Fox, Trump slammed his once close associate for "flipping," saying it "almost ought to be outlawed."

Trump conversely praised Manafort for going to trial - the first case stemming from Russia Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe to go before a jury - and eschewing a plea deal.

Asked if he was considering a pardon for Manafort, Trump told Fox only that he has "great respect for what he has done, in terms of what he has gone through."

On Thursday, Trump ignored questions from the press on the issue.

But Giuliani floated the idea that Manafort - who faces more charges more directly related to the Russia probe - should hold out for a pardon.

Recounting pardon discussions with Trump, Giuliani told The Washington Post: "We told him he should wait until all the investigations are over."

"The real concern is whether Mueller would turn any pardon into an obstruction charge," Giuliani said.

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