Russia Investigation: Trump Discusses 'Hoax' With Russia's Putin As Justice Seeks To Block Release Of Evidence

President Trump said Thursday he discussed the Russia “hoax” with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a call the Russian leader made to him to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

The call came the same day the administration asked the Supreme Court to keep the confidential findings of the Mueller investigation secret and the Justice Department dropped charges against former national security adviser Michael Flynn for his contacts with Russian officials during the transition period.

“I said, ‘You know, it’s a very appropriate time, because things are falling out now and coming in line showing what a hoax this whole investigation was. It was a total disgrace, and I wouldn’t be surprised if you see a lot of things happen over the next number of weeks,”’ Trump told reporters during a meeting with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. “This is just one piece of a very dishonest puzzle.”

The Mueller investigation found evidence Russian intelligence tried to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election through its distribution of misinformation and efforts to whip up racial and other divisions on social media. The actions were generally seen as favorable for Trump’s campaign and detrimental to Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Evidence has surfaced a similar campaign is underway to influence this year’s election.

The administration argued before a virtual Supreme Court Thursday the justices should block a lower court order that would force the government to release all of special counsel Robert Mueller’s findings to the House Judiciary Committee, saying the May 11 deadline for doing so would inhibit further government review. The Judiciary Committee has said it needs the materials for its ongoing investigation into whether Trump obstructed the Mueller investigation.

The Justice Department dropped its case against Flynn, who pleaded guilty to lying about his contacts with then-Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in the weeks before Trump formally took office. He tried to withdraw that plea in January.

In a court filing, Justice said newly discovered documents indicate a Jan. 24, 2017, with Flynn was “unjustified,” with no “legitimate investigative basis.”

“He was an innocent man. He’s a great gentlemen. He was targeted by the Obama administration. He was targeted in order to try and take down a president. What they’ve done is a disgrace and a big price should be paid,” Trump said in reaction.

“This should have never happened.”