Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) reportedly told GOP donors behind closed doors that Democrats are using the investigations into Russian election meddling as part of an excuse for losing the presidential election.

“The Democrats don’t want an investigation on Russia. They want an independent commission," Nunes told Republicans during a recent private dinner fundraiser, according to the Los Angeles Times.

"Why do they want an independent commission? Because they want to continue the narrative that [Russian President] Vladimir Putin and [President] Donald Trump Donald John TrumpObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE are best friends, and that’s the reason that he won, because [Democratic nominee] Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhat Senate Republicans have said about election-year Supreme Court vacancies Bipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death Trump carries on with rally, unaware of Ginsburg's death MORE would have never lost on her own; it had to be someone else’s fault."

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Nunes claimed Democrats tried to "destroy this Russia investigation."

"They’ve never been serious about it, and one of the great things now that I’ve stepped aside from this Russia investigation, I can actually say what I want to say," he said.

"I know that there’s probably media in here, you can write it but just try to get it right when you do."

Asked to clarify his comments, a spokesman for Nunes responded with a statement from him saying: "For the LA Times to tout comments I made in front of 700 people, which attendees broadcasted on Facebook Live and which reflected themes I've discussed repeatedly this year, as some sort of unique revelation is the epitome of lazy reporting and fake news."

Nunes, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, recused himself from his panel's investigation into Russia's efforts to meddle in the 2016 election amid a House ethics probe.

Earlier this month, the Justice Department named a special counsel to lead the Russia probe.

On Tuesday, Trump similarly dismissed the investigation, tweeting that Russian officials "must be laughing at the U.S. & how a lame excuse for why the Dems lost the election has taken over the Fake News."