Late yesterday, there were rumors that Michael Flynn, who would become Trump’s National Security Adviser, contacted the Russians prior to Trump’s election to discuss sanctions. If true, he would have committed a crime. You may not negotiate for the US unless (and until) you’re the President. That would have been undercutting the current administration.
When asked, Flynn, Sean Spicer and Mike Pence all said that while Flynn did have conversations with the Russian Ambassador on Dec. 29th, but the calls were purely social. Flynn denied it twice. This happened on Dec 29th, the day after Obama implemented additional sanctions in response to the Russian election interference. Odd timing for a birthday greeting. The next day, Putin announced Russia wouldn’t be retaliating. Even odder.
Now Flynn is trying to walk it back, saying, effectively, “Maybe? It could have happened? It’s hard to remember.” Multiple federal officials have testified that there were multiple calls and texts, they’ve read the transcripts, and that Flynn was working secretly with a foreign power to undermine the US government.
Spicer and Pence said they were shocked — shocked! — to hear about this change. They had no idea Flynn had met or talked with the Ambassador and Putin several times, including Flynn’s public trip to Moscow last year to attend the gala.
What are the odds that Flynn would decide to talk with the Russians about Presidential sanctions, issues that only a President could affect, but did that without the knowledge of the then President-elect?
