Trump brands probe in Russian meddling as 'greatest political hoax of all time'

US President Donald Trump on Thursday complained of the "greatest political hoax of all time" hours before the special counsel's report on Russian meddling in the 2016 election was due to be made public. "The Greatest Political Hoax of all time! Crimes were committed by Crooked, Dirty Cops and DNC/The Democrats," the president tweeted.

"Crooked" is Trump's nickname for election rival Hillary Clinton while he uses the phrase "dirty cops" to smear the members of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team who conducted the probe. The details of the redacted 400-page report -- which is expected to go to Congress mid-morning before being made publicly available -- could determine whether Democrats pursue impeachment of the president.