Trump’s one-time security adviser lied to FBI over talks with Russians
DONALD Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, becoming the first Trump White House official to face criminal charges and admit guilt in a wide-ranging election investigation.
Flynn agreed to co-operate with special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe, which focuses on Russian meddling in the 2016 election and possible co-ordination between Moscow and Mr Trump’s campaign aimed at sending the Republican businessman to the White House
He told investigators a senior member of the president’s tran- sition team directed him to make contact with Russian officials in December 2016.
Flynn was a vocal Trump supporter on the campaign trail and was present for big moments in the campaign, the following transition period and the early days of Mr Trump’s presidency, making him a valuable potential tool for prosecutors and agents.
His business dealings and foreign interactions have made him a central focus of Mr Mueller’s investigation.
Flynn admitted to lying about his conversations with Russia’s ambassador to the US during the transition period before Mr Trump’s inauguration.
In a statement, the retired Army lieutenant general accepted
responsibility for his actions and added: “My guilty plea and agreement to co-operate with the Special Counsel’s Office reflect a decision I made in the best interests of my family and of our country.”
Flynn is the fourth former Trump associate to face charges in the investigation, and the first who served in the White House. He has been under investigation for a range of allegations, including lobbying work on behalf of Turkey, but the fact that he was charged with only a single count of false statements suggests he is co-operating with Mr Mueller in exchange for leniency.
White House lawyer Ty Cobb sought to distance the plea from Mr Trump himself, saying, “Nothing about the guilty plea or the charge implicates anyone other than Mr Flynn.”
Mr Mueller’s team announced charges in October against three other Trump campaign officials — former chairman Paul Manafort and his business associate Rick Gates, and former campaign foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos.
Mr Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his own foreign contacts.