WASHINGTON − Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, who leans conservative, announced that he had a phone conversation with Donald Trump on Tuesday, primarily to suggest a former law clerk for a government position. He further clarified that their conversation did not cover Trump’s legal challenges.

“William Levi, one of my previous law clerks, requested me to connect with President-elect Trump regarding his qualifications for a government role,” Alito explained in a statement provided to Reuters by a Supreme Court representative.

“I was willing to speak with President-elect Trump, and he called me yesterday afternoon,” Alito stated.

“Our discussion did not include any ongoing matters or potential future cases that could be presented to the Supreme Court, nor any prior Supreme Court rulings related to the President-elect,” the statement noted.

Trump has appealed to the Supreme Court, seeking to stop a New York state court from proceeding with his sentencing related to financial misconduct involving payments made to a porn star.

On Tuesday, a New York appellate court rejected his attempt to postpone the sentencing that is set for this Friday in Manhattan.

In a filing on Wednesday, Trump’s legal team urged the U.S. Supreme Court to quickly issue a stay in the case as they appeal concerning issues of presidential immunity.