President Trump on Monday launched a pre-emptive Twitter strike against any suggestion he colluded with Russia to beat Hillary Clinton, just hours before top federal officials were set to testify in the House over Russia's meddling in the election.

"James Clapper and others stated that there is no evidence Potus colluded with Russia. This story is FAKE NEWS and everyone knows it!" Trump tweeted, referring to himself in the third person.

"The Democrats made up and pushed the Russian story as an excuse for running a terrible campaign. Big advantage in Electoral College & lost! The real story that Congress, the FBI and all others should be looking into [who] is the leaking of Classified information. Must find leaker now!"

James Clapper and others stated that there is no evidence Potus colluded with Russia. This story is FAKE NEWS and everyone knows it! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 20, 2017

The Democrats made up and pushed the Russian story as an excuse for running a terrible campaign. Big advantage in Electoral College & lost! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 20, 2017

The real story that Congress, the FBI and all others should be looking into is the leaking of Classified information. Must find leaker now! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 20, 2017



The House Intelligence Committee is set to hear testimony from FBI Director James Comey on Monday over Russia's alleged meddling in the campaign. Mike Rogers, director of the National Security Agency, will also testify.

Among the topics set to be discussed is Trump's claim that President Obama had the phones in Trump Tower "wire tapped" during the campaign.

Trump has not provided evidence for this claim, and instead has pointed to press reports that imply Obama was surveilling Trump.

The intelligence community reported before the election that Russia was trying to interfere in the election through hacks of the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta's emails. Following the election, top intelligence officials reported the Russians had developed a preference for a Trump win in the election.

That sparked a feud between Trump and the intelligence community over the next several months where Trump officials have accused members of the intelligence community of trying to sabotage the new president. Trump has made blaming those leaking information to the press a central part of his first months in office.

What about all of the contact with the Clinton campaign and the Russians? Also, is it true that the DNC would not let the FBI in to look? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 20, 2017



Later on Monday, Trump continued tweeting about reports of Russian involvement in the campaign. He accused the DNC of not letting the FBI investigate the hacks into its email and the Clinton campaign of also communicating with Russia.

"What about all of the contact with the Clinton campaign and the Russians? Also, is it true that the DNC would not let the FBI in to look?" Trump tweeted.