Trump considering 'full pardon' for disgraced ex-aide Michael Flynn
'The FBI, working in conjunction with the Justice Department, has ‘lost’ the records of General Michael Flynn. How convenient'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump has revealed he is considering a "full pardon" for Michael Flynn, his first national security adviser.
Flynn admitted making false statements to the FBI about his dealings with the Russian ambassador to US before Trump's inauguration, but he sought to withdraw the guilty plea in January, arguing that prosecutors violated his rights and duped him into a plea agreement.
In a tweet on Sunday, the president said: “So now it is reported that, after destroying his life & the life of his wonderful family (and many others also), the FBI, working in conjunction with the Justice Department, has ‘lost’ the records of General Michael Flynn. How convenient.”
He added: “I am strongly considering a Full Pardon!”
The president’s allegations about the FBI and Department of Justice collaborating to lose “records” are non-specific and unsubstantiated at this time.
Flynn was supposed to cooperate with the government as part of his plea deal. But he later switched lawyers and tactics, arguing that prosecutors in the case had violated his rights and tricked him into lying about his December 2016 conversations with Sergei Kislyak, then Moscow's ambassador in Washington.
The Department of Justice has repeatedly denied allegations of prosecutorial misconduct.
US District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan rejected all of Flynn’s claims in December and set a sentencing date.
Shortly after that, Flynn filed the motion to withdraw his plea.
Flynn, who also previously led the Defence Intelligence Agency, served just 24 days in the Trump administration before he was fired in January 2017.
With reporting from Reuters
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments