Apple CEO Tim Cook has responded to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's call last month to boycott the maker of iPhones, iPads and iPods until the tech giant unlocks the iPhone 5c of a San Bernardino shooter. Apple is in a legal battle with the FBI about whether it should be required to develop a new OS to hack its own smartphone. Since making the rousing call to action Trump has made several Twitter posts from an iPhone handset.

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Trump argued that Apple should be boycotted until it provides the FBI with data stored on the iPhone 5 series handset. He made the comments at a South Carolina campaign event.

Twitter data shows "|The Donald" made several tweets within minutes after he called for his supporters to stop buying Apple products. He also used his account to make more Twitter posts earlier this week, according to BGR.

Time recently asked Cook if Trump's call to boycott the company was based on him not understanding Apple's arguments. Cook explained that Apple is a great American company that is speaking up for people who do not have a voice.  

Apple's CEO added that it is the United States Congress' job to make laws. However, he argued that there were times in history when people should have stopped governments from having too much power.

Cook believes Apple should say "Stop" in its battle with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and force the two sides to debate the issue of mobile encryption. He does not know how the talks would end. However, he believes it is Apple's job to make sure that the Steve Jobs co-founded company and the feds have the big talk.

Apple's chief executive did not directly address Trump's proposed boycott. However, it shows what the company thinks its job should be in the federal case versus the FBI.    

It should be pointed out that Trump has also tweeted from an Android phone suggesting that the real estate billionaire has multiple phones. In addition, Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks has claimed Trump never uses an iPhone, according to CNBC.  

Trump has criticized Apple many times about various issues. He has also argued that the tech company should manufacture more products in the US.

Here's Tump's call for an Apple boycott: