The US Congress special counsel Robert Mueller has called a grand jury over claims President Donald Trump conspired with Russia to win last year’s election.
Anonymous sources close to the investigation revealed the move to the Wall Street Journal and the Associated Press on Thursday.
A grand jury would hear evidence and potentially decide whether to lay charges.
On Friday morning White House senior counselor Kellyanne Conway told Fox News the investigation was a “fishing expedition” that Mr Trump had dubbed a “witch-hunt.”
On Wednesday Mr Trump grudgingly signed into law a new sanctions bill against Russia — passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both houses — calling it "seriously flawed.”
Backing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s criticism of the bill on Tuesday over Vice-President Mike Pence’s support for it, he said: "As president, I can make far better deals with foreign countries than Congress."
On Tuesday Mr Tillerson told a press conference: “The American people want the two most powerful nuclear nations in the world to have a better relationship.”
On Thursday Mr Trump warned in a tweet: “Our relationship with Russia is at an all-time and very dangerous low. You can thank Congress.”
Mr Pence stands to become president if Congress impeaches Mr Trump.
At a rally in Virginia on Thursday night, Mr Trump called the Russian meddling claims a "fake story."
"They’re trying to cheat you out of the leadership that you want with a fake story that is demeaning to all of us and most importantly demeaning to our country and demeaning to our constitution."
"Most people know there were no Russians in our campaign,” he said. "We didn't win because of Russia. We won because of you."
Mr Trump said the opposition Democrats had a choice: "They can continue their obsession with the hoax or they can serve the interests of the American people."
Anonymous sources close to the investigation revealed the move to the Wall Street Journal and the Associated Press on Thursday.
A grand jury would hear evidence and potentially decide whether to lay charges.
On Friday morning White House senior counselor Kellyanne Conway told Fox News the investigation was a “fishing expedition” that Mr Trump had dubbed a “witch-hunt.”
On Wednesday Mr Trump grudgingly signed into law a new sanctions bill against Russia — passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both houses — calling it "seriously flawed.”
Backing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s criticism of the bill on Tuesday over Vice-President Mike Pence’s support for it, he said: "As president, I can make far better deals with foreign countries than Congress."
On Tuesday Mr Tillerson told a press conference: “The American people want the two most powerful nuclear nations in the world to have a better relationship.”
On Thursday Mr Trump warned in a tweet: “Our relationship with Russia is at an all-time and very dangerous low. You can thank Congress.”
Mr Pence stands to become president if Congress impeaches Mr Trump.
At a rally in Virginia on Thursday night, Mr Trump called the Russian meddling claims a "fake story."
"They’re trying to cheat you out of the leadership that you want with a fake story that is demeaning to all of us and most importantly demeaning to our country and demeaning to our constitution."
"Most people know there were no Russians in our campaign,” he said. "We didn't win because of Russia. We won because of you."
Mr Trump said the opposition Democrats had a choice: "They can continue their obsession with the hoax or they can serve the interests of the American people."