GRAPEVINE, Texas —  Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on Thursday accused former special counsel Robert Mueller of leading the “Russia, Russia, Russia hoax” during a Conservative Political Action Conference fireside chat in Dallas, days after Mueller’s death, calling the investigation a “weaponization” of the Justice Department.

Speaking alongside CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp, Blanche said the investigation “almost brought down President Trump,” describing it as a “complete and total” failure that inflicted lasting damage on the country.

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