Trump on Russia probe: 'The American public is sick of it'

President Donald Trump said Monday he would like to see an "end" to the ongoing federal and congressional probes into Russian election interference, claiming that the public mood toward the investigations has soured.

"They ought to get to the end of it because I think the American public is sick of it," said when asked about special counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing probe into potential ties between Trump campaign associates and Russian agents during the 2016 presidential election.


Trump, addressing reporters alongside Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell at the White House, added that "there has been absolutely no collusion" yet proven by Mueller's team.

The president, who has dismissed the probes as "fake news," again blasted Democratic officials, claiming they continue to use the investigation as an "excuse" for their defeat during the 2016 presidential election.

"The whole Russian thing was an excuse for the Democrats losing the election and it turns out to be just one excuse," Trump said.

Trump also batted away the notion that he was considering dismissing Mueller.

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"No, not at all," Trump said when asked if he was considered firing the former FBI chief. Trump's comments echoed his prior statement on the matter in August,

"I haven't given it any thought," Trump told reporters two months ago in Bedminster, New Jersey. "I've been reading about it from you people. You say, 'Oh, I'm going to dismiss him.' No, I'm not dismissing anybody."