dragoni reblogged
- Michael Flynn has resigned his position as national security adviser, effective immediately. (CNN, AP)
- Flynn, a former Army lieutenant general and Defense Intelligence Agency head, apparently fielded a phone call with Russian ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak before Trump’s inauguration and used the opportunity to reassure him about U.S. sanctions on Russia.
- The call was a major break from standard protocol, was possibly illegal under the obscure Logan Act and raised questions about Flynn’s loyalties. (Washington Post)
- Flynn had said the sanctions discussion never happened. But news broke Monday afternoon that Flynn had apologized to Vice President Mike Pence for allowing Pence to claim Flynn never discussed “anything having to do with the United States’ decision to expel diplomats or impose censure against Russia” in January.
- Additional reports then indicated the Department of Justice had warned Trump’s team Flynn was a possible Russian blackmail risk (Wash Post), he might lose his job (Politico) and there were calls for him to resign from his own party. Read more (2/13/17 11:00 PM)
Update: Here’s Flynn’s full letter of resignation
(via) | For the latest on Flynn’s resignation
I Michael Thomas Flynn, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same ...
Source: bit.ly