Trump has been communicating with special counsel Robert Mueller through a lawyer — this is why

President Donald Trump's chief counsel John Dowd told USA Today on Tuesday that Trump has been sending private messages to special counsel Robert Mueller through his lawyer.

Expressing his "appreciation" of Mueller, and sending "greetings" to the special counsel, Trump's chief counsel noted that the president "appreciates what Bob Mueller is doing."

"He asked me to share that with him and that's what I've done," Dowd said, and noted that "the president has sent messages back and forth" with Mueller.

Despite Trump's public comments that Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 elections has been a "witch hunt," and a "cloud" hanging over the Trump administration, Dowd claimed that the president doesn't take issue with Mueller, and that all communications have been "constructive."

"We get along well with Bob Mueller," Dowd said. "Our communications have been constructive. But it is important that our communications remain confidential. It’s important that there not be any breakdown in that trust."

About reports that surfaced that Trump was considering firing Mueller, Dowd had a pointed remark to make, and claimed that firing the special counsel had "never been on the table."

“That’s never been on the table, never," Dowd said. “It’s a manifestation of the media."

As for Dowd himself, he had nothing but respect for Mueller.

"My dealings with Bob Mueller have always been cordial, respectful — the way it should be," he concluded.