Michael Flynn has fallen into a bit of a concerning trend among higher-end Trump officials.
Resigning after alleged ties to Russia emerge.
Monday night, the former general left his post as National Security Adviser in the Trump administration after misleading vice president Mike Pence and other White House officials about meetings with the Russian ambassador prior to the new regime taking office.
Via the New York Times:
Mr. Flynn, who served in the job for less than a month, said he had given “incomplete information” regarding a telephone call he had with the ambassador in late December about American sanctions against Russia, weeks before President Trump’s inauguration. Mr. Flynn previously had denied that he had any substantive conversations with Ambassador Sergey I. Kislyak, and Mr. Pence repeated that claim in television interviews as recently as this month.
Additionally here’s what Flynn addressed in his resignation letter:
“Unfortunately, because of the fast pace of events, I inadvertently briefed the vice president-elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian ambassador,” he wrote. “I have sincerely apologized to the president and the vice president, and they have accepted my apology.”
Again, shady ties to Russia isn’t a new phenomenon among the Trump inner-circle. Aside from the apparent friendship the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has with Vladimir Putin, lets not forget former campaign head Paul Manafort resigning after appearing on a payroll sheet connected to the Russian backed former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych.
Then there was an early Trump foreign policy adviser Carter Page who was suspected in brokering a deal with Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin to ease Russian sanctions. Sechin as you may know has close ties to the Russian president.
But it doesn’t end with this when it comes to Flynn’s shady dealings.
Back in December the Washington Post ran a story highlighting accusations that Flynn “inappropriately shared” classified information with foreign military officers in Afghanistan during his time as a U.S. Army general. Former interim attorney general Sally Yates also warned the Trump administration that Flynn may be compromised and blackmailed by Russian officials prior to him assuming the role of National Security Advisor.
From here, you’ll have to wonder if Flynn will begin to spill the beans on any other Trump connections to Vladimir Putin and Russian intelligence as we move forward.