“Lock her up, that’s right. Yeah, that’s right, lock her up! I’m going to tell you what, it’s unbelievable, it’s unbelievable.”
—Michael Flynn, referring to Hillary Clinton during a speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention.
National Security Advisor
Jan. 22, 2017 – Feb. 13, 2017
Trump Campaign Foreign Policy Advisor
Feb. 26, 2016 – Jan. 22, 2017
Another record holder in Trumps administration, Michael Flynn’s holds the distinction of “shortest tenure as U.S. National Security Adviser in U.S. history” after serving only 24 days on the job. Flynn was forced to resign following revelations he had lied to the FBI about conversation with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, during which Flynn had illegally discussed lifting U.S. sanctions against Russia if Trump won the election – sanctions that, worth remembering, were imposed on Russia for its interference in the 2016 U.S. election.
Flynn ultimately pled guilty to “willfully and knowingly” making “false, fictitious and fraudulent statements” to the FBI, with the presiding judge telling Flynn he had “arguably, sold [his] country out”. Flynn’s plea agreement further revealed additional false claims and the illegal concealment of his work as a lobbyist on behalf the Turkish government
Still, if shady deals with Russian officials or covert foreign-government-lobbying wasn’t enough to question the retired generals character and motivation, Flynn is also the subject of an ongoing investigation by the House Oversight and Reform Committee over efforts (in conjunction with Jared Kushner) to “rush the transfer of highly sensitive U.S. nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia in potential violation of the Atomic Energy Act”.
The Latest:
Just days prior to his sentencing in February 2020, Trump’s attorney general William Barr intervened to appoint an outside prosecutor to review the case, further delaying sentencing. A month later President Trump tweeted about the case, stating that he was considering a “Full Pardon” for Flynn.
Barr Installs Outside Prosecutor to Review Ex-Trump Adviser Michael Flynn Case | New York Times (2.14.20)
Michael Flynn | OpenSecrets
Michael Flynn | ProPublica: Trump Town
Notables
- On the 4th of July, 2020, Flynn posted a video to Twitter appearing to be in support of the conspiracy group QAnon, ending the video by reciting the groups mantra, “where we go one, we go all”.
General Flynn @GenFlynn | Twitter (4.4.20)
- Flynn considered a ‘co-conspirator’ in attempt to extradite Turkish political dissident living legally in the United States; Flynn’s former lobbying organization, Flynn Intel Group, received over $500,000 a group intimately associated with the Turkish president Erdoğan’s government.
Flynn now seen as ‘co-conspirator’ in Turkish plot by prosecutors | CBC (7.9.19)
- S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan, presiding over Flynn’s sentencing, told Flynn: “Arguably, you sold your country out, I’m not hiding my disgust, my disdain for this criminal offense.”
Judge excoriates Flynn, delays Russia probe sentencing | Reuters (12.17.18)
- Timeline of Michael Flynn from before joining the Trump campaign to his sentencing in December 2018.
Timeline of Michael Flynn’s turn, from Trump aide to Mueller witness | PolitiFact (12.5.18)
- Worked for Russian firm called Brainwave Science in 2015 which was co-founded by a former KGB employee, and was created to sell technology to U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies; did not disclose $45,000 payment from Russian state-owned media outlet RT, where he sat with Vladimir Putin.
How Michael Flynn’s Disdain for Limits Led to a Legal Quagmire | New York Times (6.18.17)
- Pentagon’s inspector general opened an investigation into payments to Flynn from the Russian state-run television network Russia Today (RT).
Pentagon probes Trump’s ex-adviser Flynn over foreign payments | Reuters (4.27.17)
The Last Word Flynn Wanted To Hear: ‘Treason’ | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (12.18.18)
Image credit: Gage Skidmore