Trump: Claims of Collusion With Russia 'Fake News'

President Donald Trump took to Twitter early Monday to defend himself against claims he's colluded with Russians, dismissing them as "fake news" made up by Democrats as "an excuse for running a terrible campaign."

In a series of posts to the social media platform, Trump also renewed his focus on rooting out people who are leaking classified information, writing, "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

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

The president's tweets came before Monday's House Intelligence Committee hearing into possible Russian meddling in last fall's presidential election. FBI Directory James Comey is slated to be a key witness in the hearings

On Sunday, Rep. Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, told NBC's "Meet the Press" that there "is  circumstantial evidence of collusion" between associates of Trump's presidential campaign and Russian operatives while Moscow tried to meddle with the election, as well as "direct evidence" of deception.