News of Roger Stone’s indictment was swallowed by Donald Trump’s decision on Friday to end the government shutdown without so much as a penny for his border wall, but the self-styled political “trickster” nonetheless attempted to steal back the spotlight. Following his release on $250,000 bail, Stone predictably claimed innocence during an appearance on Fox News’ Tucker Carlson Tonight, and assured viewers—Fox’s number-one fan included—that he wouldn’t divulge any information to special counsel Robert Mueller. “No matter how much pressure they put on me, no matter what they say, I will not bear false witness against Donald Trump,” Stone said. “I will not do what Michael Cohen has done and make up lies to ease the pressure on myself.”

When asked by CNN’s Chris Cuomo whether arguing his own innocence on the air was his way of angling for a presidential pardon, Stone dismissed the question, saying, “I’ve never had any discussion with him or communication with him regarding that.” Pressed further, Stone added, “I don’t expect to be convicted, so I’m not going to address it. I don’t address hypothetical questions . . . I know that I am innocent. My intention is to plead not guilty and to fight the charges, and I have had no discussion with anyone regarding a pardon.”

Stone was indicted on seven counts, including charges of lying to Congress about communications with WikiLeaks during the 2016 presidential campaign. The indictment also accuses Stone of attempting to intimidate witness and radio host Randy Credico, though Stone told Carlson texts that he’d “take that dog away from [Credico]” or that Credico should “Prepare to die” were taken out of context.

The indictment also claims a “senior Trump campaign official” directed Stone to continue corresponding with WikiLeaks for damaging information on then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, following a July 2016 leak of DNC documents. “Well, I have to speculate about that,” Stone told Cuomo. “Since it never happened, it appears to me that they have composed testimony for someone.”

For his part, President Trump seemed to defend Stone in a series of Twitter posts. The first, published mid-day after Stone’s arrest, attempted to return the subject to border security (or at least CNN-bashing):

The second, posted Saturday morning after Stone’s Fox News and CNN interviews, attempted to put the focus back on Hillary Clinton’s e-mails, just as press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders did immediately following Stone’s arrest:

Even as the president protests, a clearer picture is emerging of his campaign’s numerous contacts with Russia. Per The New York Times, Trump associates, including Stone, engaged in and exchanged more than 100 in-person meetings, phone calls, text messages, e-mails, and Twitter messages with Russian nationals and WikiLeaks, or their intermediaries before Trump’s January 2017 inauguration. Stone himself will be arraigned on Tuesday, January 29, in Washington, D.C.