Republican lawmakers are nearing the end of their probes into Russia’s role in the 2016 presidential election, though it remains unclear whether they’re close to concluding whether President Donald Trump's associates colluded with Russians. | Saul Loeb/Getty Images Trump claims 'costly' probes show no collusion with Russia

President Donald Trump alleged Friday that Hillary Clinton colluded with Russia while claiming it’s “commonly agreed” that his associates didn’t work with the Kremlin to tilt the election in his favor.

“It is now commonly agreed, after many months of COSTLY looking, that there was NO collusion between Russia and Trump,” the president wrote Friday morning. “Was collusion with HC!”


Republican lawmakers are nearing the end of their probes into Russia’s role in the 2016 presidential election, though it remains unclear whether they’re close to concluding whether Trump associates colluded with Russians. The congressional panels plan to complete their probes by February.

Special counsel Robert Mueller, however, is leading a parallel probe. Mueller was appointed to lead the FBI investigation in the wake of the president’s abrupt firing of then-FBI Director James Comey. Mueller reportedly is looking into whether Trump obstructed justice, in addition to possible collusion with Trump associates and Moscow.

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Lawmakers will soon see how much Mueller’s probe is costing. The special counsel is required to produce public expense reports every six months, though such reports must go through a Justice Department review before being made public. The reports are expected to contain only top-line figures covering broad categories, such as staff salaries, travel, supplies and equipment.

Money to conduct what the president has repeatedly called a “hoax” and a “witch hunt” likely will become a recurring fight as the investigation continues.