Top US security adviser resigns over Russian contacts
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Flynn, resigned late on Monday after revelations that he had discussed US sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador to the US before Trump took office and misled Vice-President Mike Pence about the conversations.
Flynn’s resignation came hours after it was reported that the Justice Department had warned the White House weeks ago that Flynn could be vulnerable to blackmail for contacts with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak before Trump took power.
The departure could slow Trump’s bid to warm up relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Flynn submitted his resignation hours after Trump, through a spokesman, pointedly declined to publicly back Flynn, saying he was reviewing the situation and talking to Pence.
Flynn had promised Pence he had not discussed US sanctions with the Russians, but transcripts of intercepted communications showed the subject had come up in conversations between him and the Russian ambassador.
Such contacts could potentially be in violation of a law banning private citizens from engaging in foreign policy, known as the Logan Act.
Pence had defended Flynn in television interviews and was described by administration officials as upset about being misled.
“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. I have sincerely apologised to the president and the vice-president and they have accepted my apology,” Flynn said in his resignation letter.
Retired General Keith Kellogg, who has been chief of staff of the White House National Security Council, was named acting national security adviser while Trump determines who should fill the position.
Kellogg, retired General David Petraeus, a former CIA director and Robert Harward, a former deputy commander of US Central Command, are under consideration for the position, an official said.
A US official confirmed a Washington Post report that Sally Yates, the then-acting US attorney general, told the White House last month she believed Flynn had misled them about the nature of his communications with the Russian ambassador.
She said Flynn might have put himself in a compromising position, possibly leaving himself vulnerable to blackmail, the official said.
Yates was later fired for opposing Trump’s temporary entry ban for people from seven mostly Muslim nations.