Watch this testy exchange between Mike Pompeo and a Democratic senator pressing him about the Putin summit

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, facing a grilling from lawmakers prying into President Trump's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week. One of his fiercest questioners was Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the committee's ranking member, who pressed Pompeo about the details of Trump's closed-door discussion with Putin — a meeting at which only translators were present, aside from the two leaders.

Menendez began by asking Pompeo whether Trump told him directly what he discussed with the Putin. Pompeo began his response by defending the merits of one-on-one meetings, prompting Mendendez to remind Pompeo that he'd asked "a simple question." Pompeo eventually said that yes, he'd had "a number of conversations" with Trump about the meeting with Putin.

Menendez's grilling of Pompeo continued, as he next wanted to know whether Trump had suggested to Putin that the U.S. might relax sanctions on Russia. Pompeo replied that "the U.S. policy ... remains completely unchanged." Menendez pointed out that he was not asking about stated U.S. policy, but rather about Trump's specific remarks to Putin. "You asked me about U.S. policy with respect to sanctions," Pompeo replied. "I can confirm to you that no commitment has been made to change those policies in any way."

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The exchange reached its tense peak when Menendez asked Pompeo whether Trump confronted Putin about Russia's annexation of Crimea — an inquiry Pompeo once again responded to with an explanation of U.S. policy. "Senator, I understand the game that you're playing, I get it," Pompeo said, before Menendez heatedly shot back: "With all due respect, I don't appreciate you characterizing my questions. My questions [are] to get to the truth. We don't know what the truth is." Watch the fiery moment below. Kimberly Alters