Michael Flynn: National Security Adviser Lied to FBI, Trump Pressured Comey, Flynn Pardoned
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Flynn's conversations with Kislyak on December 29, 2016 — the day President Obama announced sanctions against Russia for election interference — were intercepted by U.S. intelligence. Flynn told Pence the conversations had not touched on sanctions; Pence publicly repeated that claim. After the Washington Post reported Flynn had indeed discussed sanctions, Flynn resigned. On January 27, 2017, Trump told Comey at a one-on-one dinner that he hoped Comey could let the Flynn investigation go. Comey did not drop it. Trump fired Comey on May 9, 2017. Flynn pleaded guilty December 1, 2017. His cooperation with Mueller provided significant intelligence about the transition period. Trump pardoned Flynn in November 2020, after Flynn had withdrawn his guilty plea.
Overview
Flynn lied to the FBI about conversations he had with the Russian ambassador on the day the United States imposed sanctions on Russia for election interference. Trump asked the FBI director to drop the investigation. The FBI director did not. Trump fired him. Flynn later pleaded guilty. Trump pardoned him.
The December 29 Calls
The Obama administration imposed sanctions on Russia on December 29, 2016 for interference in the presidential election. On the same day, Flynn called Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak multiple times. The calls were intercepted — routine practice for communications with foreign ambassadors.
Flynn discussed the sanctions. He then told Vice President-elect Pence that the conversations had not touched on the subject. Pence went on television and said so publicly. He was repeating Flynn's lie.
The Department of Justice warned the White House in January 2017 that Flynn's false account had made him potentially vulnerable to Russian blackmail — Moscow knew what was actually said on the calls. The warning sat in the White House for weeks before anything was done about it.
The Comey Dinner
On January 27, 2017, Trump invited Comey to dinner at the White House. It was one-on-one. Trump told Comey he hoped Comey could see his way to letting the Flynn matter go.
Comey testified about this conversation before the Senate Intelligence Committee. The Mueller Report examined it as one of ten episodes in its obstruction of justice analysis.
Comey did not drop the investigation. Trump fired him on May 9, 2017. Trump told NBC News that he was thinking about "this Russia thing" when he made the decision.
The Guilty Plea and the Pardon
Flynn pleaded guilty on December 1, 2017 to one count of making false statements to federal agents. He cooperated with the Special Counsel's investigation through 19 interviews, providing information about transition-period activities and his undisclosed foreign lobbying work for Turkey.
In 2019, he changed course — fired his legal team, hired Sidney Powell, and moved to withdraw his guilty plea, alleging misconduct. The Department of Justice under Attorney General Barr moved to drop the case. A federal judge resisted. The case dragged through appeals.
Trump pardoned Flynn on November 25, 2020. The pardon was written broadly enough to cover offenses beyond the one Flynn had pleaded to.
Timeline
Sequence of events
December 29, 2016
Flynn calls Kislyak — discusses sanctions on day Obama announces them
Flynn calls Russian Ambassador Kislyak multiple times on December 29, 2016, the same day President Obama announces sanctions against Russia for election interference. The calls are intercepted by U.S. intelligence. Flynn discusses the sanctions. He subsequently misleads Vice President Pence about the calls' content.
January 15, 2017
Pence publicly denies Flynn discussed sanctions — based on Flynn's false account
Vice President Pence tells Face the Nation that Flynn and Kislyak 'did not discuss anything having to do with the United States' decision to expel diplomats or impose censure against Russia.' Pence is relying on Flynn's false account of the calls.
January 24, 2017
FBI interviews Flynn — he lies to agents
FBI agents, including Peter Strzok, interview Flynn at the White House about his Kislyak conversations. Flynn lies, telling them the conversations did not touch on sanctions. This false statement forms the basis of his eventual guilty plea.
January 27, 2017
Trump tells Comey he hopes Flynn matter can be let go
Trump invites Comey to a one-on-one dinner at the White House. Trump tells Comey he hopes Comey can let the Flynn investigation go. Comey later describes this conversation in Senate testimony. He does not drop the investigation.
February 13, 2017
Flynn resigns after Washington Post reports he misled Pence
The Washington Post reports that Flynn did discuss sanctions with Kislyak and misled Pence. Flynn resigns as National Security Adviser after 24 days in office. The Department of Justice had warned the White House weeks earlier that Flynn's false account had made him potentially vulnerable to Russian blackmail.
May 9, 2017
Trump fires Comey — cites Russia investigation as factor
Trump fires FBI Director Comey. He subsequently tells NBC News that 'this Russia thing' was on his mind when he made the decision. The firing becomes a central element of the Mueller obstruction investigation.
December 1, 2017
Flynn pleads guilty to lying to FBI
Flynn pleads guilty to one count of making false statements to federal investigators. He agrees to cooperate with the Special Counsel's investigation. He participates in 19 subsequent interviews with federal investigators.
November 25, 2020
Trump pardons Flynn — broad pardon covers future charges
Trump pardons Flynn on November 25, 2020, less than two months before leaving office. The pardon covers offenses Flynn committed through the date of the pardon — a formulation broad enough to cover charges beyond the pleaded offense. Flynn had by this point withdrawn his guilty plea and alleged FBI misconduct.
Sources
- ↑ Michael Flynn Resigns as National Security Adviser — The New York Times
- ↑ Trump asked Comey to shut down Flynn investigation — The Washington Post
- ↑ Flynn pleads guilty to lying to FBI about Russian contacts — The Associated Press
- ↑ Mueller Report Volume I — Flynn investigation — U.S. Department of Justice / Special Counsel archived ✓
Verification