we're happy that flynn cooperated--probably as much to protect his son from prosecution as anything else.
but given the seriousness of his lying, he deserves some incarceration, even if just as a "symbol"--maybe one week, even.
we wonder, as does everyone else, what the redacted criminal prosecution referred to in the government's sentencing memo concerns. could it be that, for example, mike pence also has lied to the f.b.i.? jared kushner? flynn could be very helpful in such cases.
Flynn should go to jail. He is a traitor to his country, having nothing to do with this circus.
And here is Mueller's public relations ploy -- he claims Flynn has been such a great patriot because he gave up so much incredibly useful information -- like what? The example of him sitting on a hard chair 19 hours is not impressive; that's not even one day in jail.
Of course Mueller has to make like giving him (basically) immunity was a great decision. And the implication that Flynn was *only* in trouble for "lying" is just spinning it to make it seem like Mueller gave up so little and got so much in return.
No, Flynn was in a lot of trouble, go back and review, and we don't even know the depth of it due to this plea deal. And what did the American people, and the world, really get from Flynn's 19 hours? We don't know.
Flynn is a bad, bad man (magnitude of Bannon) and he poured a lot of poison into that empty vessel between Trump's ears and his influence on Trump will be felt by the world until the day Trump no longer has any say in anything. Recall that Obama gave Trump two pieces of advice and one of them was nearly begging him not to being Flynn into the cabinet. Why was that?
Michael Flynn is a very bad person who has a long history of attempting to shape American and indeed global political and military policy and action based on bizarre ideologies, hatred of the system that rejected him and sheer avarice. I consider him a traitor, not a fibber.
7
Roberts, thomas, alito, gorsuch* and the deviant kavanaugh, will never, ever rule against putin's beard.
The deviant kavanaugh said as much during his recent lie filled testimony about his sexual assault of a 15 year old girl.
I say we nail flynn and all his coconspirators' hides to the wall whenever we get the chance because president bone-spurs is slicker than snot when it comes to dodging justice and most probably will never answer for his many crimes.
3
When the leader of your party lies an estimated 7,000 times since being appointed president by the elitist electoral college, is it any wonder the rest of his clan are conpulsive liars too?
"A fish rots from the head down."
4
With respect to the absurd nonsense about Russia's "interference" in our 2016 Presidential election, a critically important failure in NYT's reporting (if you can dignify it by calling it "reporting") is their omission of the most significant fact: the U.S. government, under Obama as President and Clinton as Secretary of State, secretly intervened in Russian elections. In fact, we heavily and secretly financed the opposition to Putin. NYT continually covers up our own interference in Russian elections, which preceded Russia's rather simple-minded and ineffective interference in our election. NYT, please respond.
The prosecutors’ recommendation that Michael Flynn “should receive little to no prison time for lying to federal investigators” as a recognition for being cooperative, seems a massive slap in the face for Paul Manafort. Trump's former campaign chairman is already facing decades in prison, and he has lost his chance for a shorter sentence because he breached the plea deal by repeatedly lying in the Russian inquiry.
This latest development also sends a message to people like Roger Stone who said he would invoke the Fifth Amendment and wouldn’t testify before Senate Committe or provide documents.
Both men still demonstrate their loyalty, hoping Trump would pardon them soon.
2
We won't really know whether the light sentence Mueller is recommending for Flynn is a good "deal" until we see the end result. If absolutely nothing comes out of this investigation then what is all that cooperation worth? Nothing.
Despite Trump screaming about the "Angry Democrats" running the investigation, we all know that Mueller is a registered Republican and the organization he is part of is notoriously conservative, so how are we supposed to watch what Republicans are doing in Congress and Statehouses nationwide and really expect that Mueller is going to be a different Republican?
I know there are some out there, so I will continue to hope.
1
I see both reason and benefit in Mueller's recommendation.
Flynn made a deal and did the right thing by collaborating with Mueller. How could any reasonable person not have realized that he had broken the law and at once done atonement and made an effort to stop the damage that he had unleashed?
I like Flynn again, tho I clearly disagree with him about many political issues. He, his son, and I would violently disagree, but I believe that Mueller has done the right thing for Flynn, and for the USA.
Mueller demonstrates that he has the power to pardon, too.
Sorry, Little t.
1
Mueller's asking that Flynn get no prison time due to his past service to the country and for cooperation with his investigation is an excellent choice. It effectively strips trump's power to pardon, as Mueller is offering no jail time in any case. His thorough interviews with bad actors like Flynn also make them immune to further prosecution on other matters. I'm sure Mueller covers all of the bases.
2
I think that Mueller just did an end run around trump.
3
I'm sure Mr. Mueller knows what he is doing, but this is distressing, nonetheless.
Clearly, crime pays.
1
I find it extremely interesting that the Mueller team is recommending no jail time for Flynn. It does indicate that he gave them a lot of good information. On the other hand, as officer, a general, a supposed patriot, Flynn is a disgrace to his uniform and this country. I hope the Judge sentences him to some time in jail.
3
I'd like to see him do at least a week or so "locked up". It would be a fitting justice for a guy who led the "lock her up" chant in front of a crowd at the convention. Never before in my lifetime have I seen a candidate threaten to incarcerate an opponent. Have we really become a third world country?
5
What? Little or no prison time? Flynn should serve a year for each time he said "lock her up" at a Trump rally. He deserves the punishment he advocated.
1
Lincoln once said that if you want to test a nan's character, give him power. Flynn should be stripped of his,rank and pension for selling the country
2
I get it ... that if you're honest and forthcoming, that's of value in the advancement of an investigation, and is rewarded with leniency. But lets not get carried away. Some prison time, a fine, and community service (like picking up roadside trash) should still be in play here. How about limiting his pension? And I think there will be no thanking him for his service? Well I'd at least acknowledge his trash collection.
1
For those who think leniency for flynn will help encourage others to testify against trump, with the end game resulting in trump's removal from office, need I remind you that trump (and the koch brothers) just sat a us supreme court justice, the deviant kavanaugh, who doesn't think presidents can be indicted OR be compelled to answer a congressional subpoena.
I say we punish the crooks we have now because, the genital grabber might never even see the inside of a courtroom for his many crimes.
1
I can agree to no prison only if Trump is arrested and removed from office. If that does not happen lock him up . Remember his famous words lock her up. Karma got him .
1
High profiled African Americans and high ranking and once distinguished black politicians are typically sentenced to longer sentences or harsher punishment for misconduct---as "examples to the public." Lil Kim and Marion Jones received a year for lying--and mostly to protect another and about matters not nearly as concerning as national security and collusion with sworn enemies. The former mayor of Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick, is serving a 28 year sentence for a conviction growing out from a perjury charge. But all around, we see lenient treatment for powerful white men--Flynn, Cohen, even Epstein, Trump-- that also is bad for perpetuating notions of white supremacy and black inferiority.
27
@Rave It's because he's a snitch and gave them everything they wanted. As they say on TV and the movies, the first one to sing always gets the best deal. 19 interviews!! How many hours is that of blabbing of donnie's crimes?
1
This is one thing I disagree strongly with about our justice department.
Flynn committed treason. Who cares how quickly he cooperated with prosecutors? Who cares how "sorry' he is? He helped try to destroy democracy in OUR United States of America.
The only reason Mr. Flynn deserves no prison time is if he was actually a plant, acting in behalf of OUR intelligence services. Maybe. Stranger things have happened.
7
@njglea
If he committed Treason why is his guilty plea to lying to the FBI? Lying to the FBI happens a lot. Happened when Hillary was investigated but Comey and his team swore off pursuing false statement charges. How come? More importantly, why is it Treason for Flynn to lie but just fine when others do it? Reply watchaboutism all you want but do answer the question?
1
"Let justice be done tho' the heavens fall"
@njglea
No -- he broke the law. Statutes only.
Exaggerating crimes diminishes your credibility.
Amazing isn't it! The diametrically opposite sides of General Flynn. One the distinguished army career which should have ingrained a strong patriotic sense and on the flipside his work after retiring that climaxed in the "lock her up" chant on a Presidential contender.
Sometimes, the quicker the ascendancy comes to big bucks, power etc., the harder it is to keep one's balance in the dizzying heights one has reached. Its easy to talk oneself into actions one would normally refrain from in an instant. The feeling that one can't do wrong.
I am reminded of this in my own past - when I too climbed the corporate leader too fast to be able to live in the rarefied environment. Then I was made to fall. It turned out to be a good thing. I like myself a whole lot better now than if I had not been pushed, I am sure; unaccustomed as I was to how that game is played.
Hopefully General Flynn will find his true patriotic self. For ours is a beautiful country in more ways than one that must be cherished.
1
Does anyone besides me think the free pass being recommended for Flynn is at the directive of the new acting attorney general? It seems logical that this new anti-Mueller appointee would force Mueller to seek leniency for Flynn, for whom Trump has expressed sympathy.
1
@upstater
Sometimes the obvious answer is the correct one. If you look at all the circumstances around Flynn, I believe the stated reason for the sentencing recommendation, that he cooperated early on and substantially.
That said I'm still curious as to why trump would excoriate Cohen for cooperating (someone he was much closer to), but not Flynn.
1
@upstater
Perhaps, but the acting attorney general’s appearance occurred after most (all?) of Flynn’s disclosures.
1
Just what are we supposed to believe? Is this on the up and up? It might very well be but how are we ever to know? The pro-Trump, and ethically unfit rabid partisan Whitaker is now in charge. Does he have to sign off on everything before it occurs, including this? The appointment without Senate approval of Whitaker caps a years long series of actions that can all be reasonably called obstruction of justice. The faith and confidence that Americans once had and indeed must have in an independent nonpartisan DOJ has been eviscerated.
3
Why did Donald Trump praise Flynn when he was a liar and condemn him once he told the truth?
Why does Trump hate crime suspects who "flip," going from irredeemable felons to potentially-salvageable government witnesses?
Why does the U.S. President defend Paul Manafort, whose crimes seem the worst while still deceiving Trump's own criminal prosecutors, and yet publicly push for the maximum jail time for Michel Cohen, who has apparently been cooperating with authorities, against his former boss's wishes.
Why does our president so fear the special prosecutor that he'll do almost anything to obstruct Mueller from finding the truth?
What is worth hiding that's worth jail time to cover up?
5
@Peggy Rogers,
"Why did Donald Trump praise Flynn when he was a liar and condemn him once he told the truth?_
Because don trump is a petty, broken, deviant.
2
So lying to the FBI gets you jail time. This is an interesting bar that has been set. Now the libertarian in me screams this is why people get scared of the government when the full power of the government is unleashed on an individual. Once upon a time the ACLU might have stood up for him,against this type of use of power, however I guess it all depends whose ox is getting gored.
2
There is far more to it. Lying to the FBI was just the lightest charge they could give him and that was solely in return for his cooperation. The other charges were withheld until they saw how well he cooperated. They are still in the background and can still be charged if someone doesn’t cooperate fully.
1
@Kelly - It's really easy, don't lie and don't commit a crime. Why should that be so difficult?
1
We all know if this had been an typical or enlisted person doing these traitorous actions, that person would still be given considerable prison time. Flynn deserves credit for cooperating but let the punishment fit the crimes: He deserves considerable jail time, being stripped of his rank and considerable pension paid by all we US taxpayers, and any other veteran benefits. He epitomizes
“Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
7
@Rita...How much do you think you actually contribute to the pension and benefits that Lt. Gen. Flynn earned? $0.00000000000001 maybe? Probably not that much. Cry us a river.
@Albert Edmud,
About the same amount it takes to feed a hungry first grader or to sponsor an American artist but you trumpets always cry rivers about those expenditures.
And that hungry first grader or American artist never sold out their country to russia the way flynn did.
So go cry us a river russian.
3
Remember when Martha Stewart went to jail for lying to the fbi? She was foolish in doing so but she didn’t put our national security at risk. This guy gets to walk away without jail time?Something is very wrong here.
14
@Nycgal...Yeah, something IS very wrong here. It's legal for Congress to engage in insider trading - up to a point, of course - but some folks outside the political establishment get the slammer for doing what Beltway Bozos count as a perk of power. Very wrong.
1
It seems like he owned his misdeeds and cooperated quite fully with Mueller. I have no problem with Mueller’s recommendation.
This and the 14 day sentence for Papadopolous makes a joke of our system and only serves to encourage republicans to go on being criminals and traitors.
7
These people need to serve SOME time in prison!! There MUST be consequences for this sleazy, treasonous behavior, or frankly every GOP candidate will do it!
8
Flynn gave Mueller lots of good ammo about Donald. Donald Crime Family and enablers going to jail. Ray Sipe
3
Flynn DESERVES lots of prison time, based on his actions and perjury, but he bought himself a get out of jail card by cooperating with the Mueller investigation.
Byt let's not muddy up the concept of what someone "deserves" who commits perjury and conspires with a criminal president in colluding with a hostile foreigh power.
And then there's Flynn's whole "lock her up" cheerleader role at the Republican convention and afterwards.
15
they should do a retake of 60's tv series where they strip the Major of his stripes. I truly hope that the GOVT. run RICO on this whole clan.
2
@Clarence...Majors didn't wear stripes in the 60's - or now. Maybe you're thinking of a Sergeant Major? And, it's RICOH. Other than that, you nailed it.
I look forward to Flynn's TV show on Fox as he ventures into his next career and makes billions off his actions.
5
@Yolanda Perez,
Yeah, billions of Russian rubles.
3
Michael Flynn has not a very distinguished past . Too many dark spots on his curriculum vitae. I will always remember him for his vulgarity . I would " lock him up " for a while .
11
Blacking out the details of the Kelly sentencing memorandum is justified if it serves a legitimate investigatory purpose. But secrecy for the sake of secrecy is improper. Mueller has disclosed few details of his investigation. When investigating possible impeachment, the public’s right to know is weighty. Mueller has been very busy. Yet, we know little about whether Trump is in peril. I would think that we would know more by now.
3
Flynn has possibly cooperated fully with Mueller about Russian meddling in American elections and related matters instead of about the alleged collusion between Trump campaign and Kremlin.
1
cooperating sincerely doesn't make one any less a criminal, but mr. mueller is taking flynn's history into account and also must be giving a sign to others who are yet to be named in this conspiracy that they could be treated better if they take the path of cooperation.
it is fairly clear that the administration and others connected to the president, from the top down, contains a large number of dishonest individuals who have participated in a criminal enterprise. it is no different than the cia report on the murder of jamal khashoggi and its connections to the crown prince of saudi arabia.
trump's globalist-like effort toward saudi arabia, russia, north korea, and others belies his "America first" statements. he is a liar, a thug, a crook, and, most important, has broken his presidential oath to defend and uphold the Constitution. his accomplices are many.
the sooner they are called to account for their crimes, the better. several key lines in the pre-sentencing memo from the special counsel are as damning as anything could be. i guess we all have to be patient for the details to emerge.
the truth will win out - even as the president tries to deny it.
4
...and general flynn did it all for a draft dodging coward.
13
I now live in a country where, if you are black, a simple moving violation is a capital crime often resulting in summary executions by police officers a la Judge Dredd but, if you're white, collusion with a hostile foreign power to undermine a US Presidential election isn't even jail worthy.
God ain't blessing America anymore...he is clearly cursing America...and we deserve it!
11
What Mr. Flynn did was what is normal in the high stakes and blizzard of action needed during any presidential transition. That Mueller is trying to criminalize anything, reveals how his objective has lost its center. I would bet that hitting the road running goes on in every presidential transition, and that would normally include, after the winning the election, many conversations with ambassadors and the like. ( I would think the same went on when Obama came into office.) Probably this is a good window into what we are instore for, an attempt to portray normality as criminal.
5
@Len - Colluding with a hostile nation is necessary? Lying is necessary? How so?
1
There’s more. Be patient.
Flynn cooperated, apparently sincerely. Manafort lied & denied, fought the charges, broke his agreement, and did his best to keep Trump informed of what Mueller was doing. Letting Flynn off light while frying Manafort is fair. People deserve to be treated according to how they treat others.
And the difference between harsh and light sentences is the most powerful signal FBI can send to other cooperators, potential cooperators, and those who are still allies of Trump's who are wondering about their own futures.
But I'm not for letting Flynn off entirely; that would send a signal that others can do all the wrong they want as long as they're willing to roll over on their boss when things get ugly. I'd favor a 1-day sentence for each crime, not to be served concurrently or consecutively. Flynn would have to check into prison for each conviction, reminders to him that he's betrayed the country, as well as a signal to others that they wouldn't get off completely.
8
Besides the perspectives offered here, I also see the following strategy from Mueller with his recommendation for Flynn to have little to no prison time for cooperation.
Mueller knows Trump is dangling a possible presidential pardon to Manafort and others in his inner circle. Therefore, via the prison time recommendation for Flynn, he is making it known to others being investigated that there is an alternative to a highly questionable pardon from Trump.
If you cooperate with investigators, then you could surely get a much reduced sentence and prison time. If you fail to cooperate or lie to investigators and are relying on a Trump pardon then you are playing Russian Roulette with your life. Just see what happened to Michael Cohen who was thrown under the bus by Trump.
I think Mueller is using Flynn to dangle the "carrot or the stick" option to Trump's accomplices to come forward or gamble on a Trump pardon.
3
There is usually no more indictment of a person's guilt than when you invoke the Fifth Amendment. If Roger Stone has the proof that he is innocent, why would he invoke the Fifth Amendment?
I am hoping somewhere in the paper work that the Investigation has on Flynn that has not been revealed, the real story on the Russian Investigation and what Flynn actually kew about the Russians involvement in the 2016 election will be revealed.
4
It is really a shame that our 5th Amendment has become a badge of guilt.
While Mike Flynn may not deserve jail time as a result of his substantial cooperation with the Special Counsel under the guidelines, the sight of Flynn and his words at the Republican Convention to "Lock Her Up," will be forever pressed in my mind. It will make me angry and sad if he gets away with no jail time.
12
Something about the whole Flynn story makes no sense to me. Flynn was the former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency. You mean to tell me that as a former master spy that he had no idea that his phone call to Kislyak might be intercepted by US counterintelligence operations? And then, after he was found out, he lied about it. He had to have known better about this also. I speculate that either Trump or someone else close to Trump ordered Flynn to lie, because telling the truth might have opened the door to exposing how the Russians and and Trump colluded to fix the election. Trump probably told Flynn not to worry and that he could always pardon Flynn if he got caught.
2
I'm pretty conflicted about this. How is it that we reward people for doing what they know they should do? I guess I'm too naive....
4
With this filing, Mueller seems to be sending a message of his own to those involved with the Trump campaign: come clean now, cooperate fully and there may be a chance that you can avoid going to jail.
Also, those redactions must be causing a lot of anxiety for Trump, his family and assorted characters like Roger Stone. I can't wait until Friday when the special counsel's office is expected to release the details of Manafort's "crimes and lies".
5
Not a fan of Flynn, but it is to be noted he is a Military man and for them it is suppose to be country over anything. I believe Flynn went in and told the truth and that is to be rewarded in the eyes of Mueller. My hope is that because he told the truth, the Trump Mafia will be at the losing end of this case. Jail is too good for these people, losing all their money and importance will be the best thing to happen to them.
1
@JHL - Flynn didn't have much choice. He didn't do this voluntarily.
2
I just hate how this goes. Michael Flynn, a former military officer, was a traitor to his country and should have been charged as such. Whatever cooperation he provided should be accounted for, but he should still be spending at least the next 10 years or more in a real prison. I am so sick of these kinds of people, either wealthy or connected, ALWAYS getting off. Only the poor, and everyone else who cannot afford a great, high priced, attorney are the ones who get lengthy prison sentences for crimes that are not even slightly as bad as what Michael T. Flynn committed, whether he was charged with them or not. But none of it is going to matter. Trump will get off and he will pardon everyone who colluded with him, in the same way Scooter Libby was pardoned and never ever spent a minute behind bars for the atrocious criminal actions that he committed, including being directly responsible for the deaths of numerous people and putting a CIA operative in danger and ruining her and her families lives.
4
Flynn may escape jail, but he still committed serious crimes. How about a Dishonorable Discharge from the Army?
8
@Vietnam Vet Excellent idea but the military wouldn't want to tarnish any of those stars on his shoulder.
@Vietnam Vet
He was never in the Army. He will be among those 'Guarding Heaven's Gates', in other words, he was and always will be a United States Marine.
2
@Jacquie,
Flynn tarnished them all ready.
2
I would love to see a large group of protesters dressed up in Hillary style pantsuits sitting in at the sentencing. They wouldn't even have to chant "lock him up" to make their point. That would just get them removed from the courtroom. Silence sometimes speaks louder than words.
4
Flynn went from a U.S. general protecting this country to a national menace and stooge for nasty foreign leaders and questionable companies. No justice authorities should be rewarding a scandal-plagued former hero for finally telling the truth so he could protect his neck and his son's freedom.
Flynn's deceptions are a national outrage, and what's worse, no one in Trump's administration seemed to care about his lies. It was only after Flynn told the truth that President Trump denounced him. What are they all hiding?
2
Lock him up, even for a day. His testimony may be valuable but considering his behavior, he needs, his cronies need, to know that words have consequences and bad ones are punishable.
1
I simply repeat what he so gleefully shouted at the GOP convention -with a small change due to gender:
"Lock him up. Lock him up."
2
I wonder if the redactions were done in honor/deference to President Bush's funeral today in an effort to keep this news story smaller while complying with the deadline. Is it possible at least some of the redacted details would have otherwise been made public?
Here's what Mueller's "no jail time" sentencing recommendation should contain:
1. Apologize to the Clinton family for inciting violence against them (See the trump loving floridian pipe bomber) with your "Lock Her Up" chant...and make him do it LIVE on Fox News, Clear Channel and any news stations owned by Sinclaire Broadcasting.
2. Donate half of your tainted military pension to The ACLU or NAACP.
3. That he never again be allowed to cast a vote in any US elections.
7
@Victorious Yankee - This is the best comment of the day.
2
“This is what we get for $30 million and two years of an investigation and no evidence of collusion, and we get a process charge?” he said, referring to Mr. Flynn’s plea of lying to the F.B.I. and rounding up the estimated costs of the special counsel inquiry.
Luckily for liberals' revenge, Rudy Giuliani has been turned into a poster boy for feeble minded old men by them, so naturally we can just disregard the obvious.
1
@John Doe...Not to question the redoubtable NYT, but "rounding up the estimated costs" is nonsensical fluff. If The Times wanted to knee chop Rudy, it should have spelled out the exact "estimated costs". That would have silenced old Rudy. Besides, where is the evidence of collusion, which is what Mueller was charged with investigating way back when? That's the obvious, John. Lots of money, no collusion, process charges. Liberals' lunacy. Who's feeble minded?
I am sure I'm not alone in being thoroughly sick of reading about the latest tricks of this basket of deplorables. I keep thinking that the American public will finally do its duty, stand up tall, and just say, "ENOUGH!" This mess really is sort of unbelievable.
NYTimes readers are usually the most clear and well-informed section of the electorate. It doesn't encourage me that, even the sharpest comments here are lodged in the same cliches the Republican
1
@oldteacher,
What?
Can you please give that a quick rewrite teach?
Thanks.
You can undermine the government and go free. But if you rob a liquor store, you do time.
2
Gee, wonder how Manafort feels today, seeing that Flynn's "substantial" cooperation with the special counsel, allows him to walk away with a mere wrist slap.
2
Yes, if Flynn walks, Pardon Man won't get to put his nose in it and pardon him. And the quality of mercy in the recommendation prevents Poison Tongue Man from excoriating Mueller.
But then why do I long for shackles, bars and clanging shut of Flynn's prison door? It's because he's such a weasel, a perverted partisan, a liar, a bad actor, a bad swimmer with sharks, possibly a traitor, and now a convicted federal criminal.
I don't want prison for him just because it would be delicious irony, just because he repeatedly riled up the vile crowd of Trumpniacs to lock 'er up. Really.
2
Whether Flynn actually serves a day in jail is not a concern of mine. I will leave that up to the judge- that’s his wheelhouse but it warms my heart knowing he will always be noted as a career military officer and convicted felon. Lock her up indeed! Your Christmas present came early this year.
2
Can we all - all those of us facing decades of prison time for offences from cannabis to grand larceny - just talk about it , apologize, and get a free“Get Out of Jail Card”?
2
This would be unfair! Michael 'lock her up' Flynn would have locked Hillary Clinton even with no evidence or conviction!
3
If Flynn is truly "accepting responsibility" for his bad deeds, he should have to apologize during his allocution for leading the "lock her up" chants.
1
I wonder what Mike Pence, the Evangelical Whisperer and Jared Kushner are thinking now? Tick tock, tick tock.
2
Judging by Mueller's staffing choices, he is NOT interested in justice.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller III and lead attorney in the Special Counsel’s Office Andrew Weissmann have been connected to one another throughout most of their careers.
Weissmann, as deputy and later director of the Enron Task Force, destroyed the venerable accounting firm of Arthur Andersen LLP and its 85,000 jobs worldwide — only to be reversed several years later by a unanimous Supreme Court.
See: “Justices Overturn Andersen Conviction”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/31/AR2005053100491.html?noredirect=on
Next, Weissmann creatively criminalized a business transaction between Merrill Lynch and Enron. Four Merrill executives went to prison for as long as a year. Weissmann’s team made sure they did not even get bail pending their appeals, even though the charges Weissmann concocted, like those against Andersen, were literally unprecedented. Weissmann’s prosecution devastated the lives and families of the Merrill executives, causing enormous defense costs, unimaginable stress and torturous prison time. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the mass of the case.
See: “Prosecutorial overreach: Convictions of ML executives in Enron barge deal are reversed”
http://www.secactions.com/prosecutorial-overreach-convictions-of-ml-executives-in-enron-barge-deal-are-reversed/
3
Good to know privilege of being white, male and well connected holds up even when you’re literally a traitor.
5
Couldn't we lock him up? Like, even just for a little while? What about a "shame!" crier following him around with a bell like they have in that TV show?
Mental note: invest in shame bells. Appears to be a growing industry especially as Mueller's revelations begin. Potentially more lucrative than those dumb hats.
17
Maybe Flynn was referring to Laura Ingraham.
Like a scene from “A Clockwork Orange,” Flynn should be forced to watch a film of himself rabidly cheering Trump and hollering, “Lock her up!”
16
Republicans are an odd lot and always remember, Mueller is a republican.
Those people wanted to lock up Secretary Hillary Clinton in spite of the fact that she has NEVER, EVER even been charged with a crime.
Forget a trial where a guilty verdict was reached.
And flynn was one of those clowns who was chanting "Lock Her Up".
Flynn, on the other hand is an actual criminal who plead guilty to lying to the FBI about colluding with russian agents and not surprisingly, Mueller, the republican doesn't think his guilty republican pal should go to jail.
Pathetic!
"LOCK HIM UP BECAUSE HE IS GUILTY, LOCK HIM UP BECAUSE HE IS GUILTY!"
12
@Victorious Yankee
You realize that Flynn plead guilty to lying to the FBI? You know that when Comey was 'investigating' Hillary, he Swore Off pursuing false statement charges against her or anyone on her team? The FBI agents who talked to Flynn don't think he lied. He only plead guilty because he was fighting the unlimited resources of the Government on a private person's resources. He had to sell his house. Lock her up was and is a valid response to the many crimes she committed but were never charged with. Maybe even ordering the murder of a young DNC staffer? All of these posts show one thing: the only crime Flynn needed to commit to deserve his fate in the eyes of the left was simply saying 'lock her up'.
2
@GregP - Flynn made plenty of money as a private person betraying his country. Don't expect us to shed any tears for him.
@GregP,
So you're saying a Marine Corps General, like Flynn, was too scared to fight to clear his "good" name and just folded like a cheap card table?
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha...you must not know any Marines.
Jey, any news on trump's tax audit?
Any idea when he'll release his taxes like he promised?
1
Don’t do the crime, if ya can’t do the time.
This was all about Greed.
I’m talking to you Individual 1.
11
Can’t wait for the tell all books in a few years that reveal the true depths of the idiocy voters loosed on this country.
10
For leading the GOP mob at the GOP Convention, in a disgraceful and dangerous chant (think unbalanced crazies making pipe bombs in a van), Flynn should serve time in prison, so he can experience the reality of "Lock him up!"
The duration is not so important as the experience.
19
It seems like there are separate laws for high profile people and ordinary American public. Maybe lenient sentencing for cooperating with the Special Counsel but to let him go scot-free is absolutely unfair. Wasn't he the guys who started the "Lock Her Up" chant during the campaign against HRC? and now he gets to walk free despite the guilty plea?
13
So Michael Flynn provided ‘substantial information’ regarding the financial shenanigans of Donald Trump (actually frauds and crimes) by spilling the beans. The question is, did M. Flynn spill enough beans to impeach, prosecute, and jail him? The final report will tell us the full story and the nightmare will begin to unfold. The McConnells, Ryans et al will go down in infamy.
5
Lock him up! Lock him up! Lock him up!
Even if he isn’t given jail time due to his cooperation with the Mueller investigation I’d like him to hear a chant like that as he walks into court for sentencing. Such delicious irony.
6
@It’s News Here, it says a lot about one who picks up the exact same stone they condemned others for throwing at them and throwing it right back. Considering the age of rocks and the nature of humans, it only takes one stone to pummel an entire populace to death.
@John Doe Well, yeah, if we were talking about stones, I'd probably agree. But we're not. We're talking about a man who riled up crowds with chants to arrest a political opponent. The same man and his son gave their approval to fake stories about Hillary Clinton being part of a child sex ring at a pizzeria (Pizza Gate) that ultimately led one gullible citizen to show up and fire a gun in the establishment as part of his "investigation." And those are the "non-criminal" aspects of this bad man's recent past.
Spending $30M on Mueller versus the estimated $83M spent on Secret Service costs to escort Trump to one of his many resorts is a bargain. Maybe we should offer to double that amount if he commits to staying out on the links and off his Twitter account.
6
@Thomas M Whatever we are spending on Mueller will be a waste of money if he is going to recommend no jail time for the top criminals he is investigating. Recommending something like a Congressional rebuke for the Trumps and Kushners if there is evidence of criminal and traitorous behavior is a meaningless recommendation for something that would slide right off of their Teflon backs. They have no ethics or shame to bother them.
The only information Flynn could give that would be worth an offer of no jail time would have to be something more than information leading to the indictment of 13 Russian hackers who will never appear for a trial. If Mueller can get the goods on the Trump Crime Family he is worth every penny.
1
Who stopped McCarthy? Can you bring him back to stop Mueller? For someone like myself who is cut pretty much down the middle politically, McCarthy seems out of control. In fact, it's gone beyond "seems." Two years of investigations, innocent lives destroyed, and the beat goes on. What do you know, Mueller? Tell us. Has there been Russian collusion to win an election? Why aren't you telling America so we can impeach this president? You let Trump stay in office for 2 years while you knew he colluded with Russia and continued this distraction, and you said nothing. I'm starting to think the conservatives are the new liberals. This is a disgrace. Shame on America for letting Mueller continue unchecked.
2
Really? The investigation has gone on too long?
Our democracy in danger because of the republican clowns elected to office.
Multiple convictions/guilty pleas.
This investigation should go on even after Trump is fully exposed, convicted, and impeached, to root out all that tried to cover up crimes against our nation.
Lock them up!
Remember the endless Benghazi investigations for pure political show?
3
As much as I admire these bizarre screeds that always seem to begin with a lie about one’s politics, I can’t help wondering just which of these clowns one may describe as “innocent,” without falling over laughing.
2
It takes a tremendous amount of effort to document ever thread of evidence in this case. Mueller and those around him realize the Documents they are producing will be embedded into the American historical fabric throughout its existence. Two years or three years is inconsequential- but getting the facts documented and verified is essential.
2
Two years ago, this man, in full-throated cries", incited the crowd with the chant "lock Hillary up". Today, it is not she but he is facing the gulag. Those who wish others with ill get punished first. That is karmic justice and it has never failed. Perhaps Mr. Trump should take note.
9
Flynn needs to join Jerome Corsi in his lawsuit against Mueller. The Special Prosecutor threatened to investigate Flynn’s wife and son if he didn’t plead guilty to something he didn’t do. That is a crime!!!
2
Turn off the FOX disinformation network!
5
@Looneytoonsindville
There has never been a more apropos screen name than yours comrade.
Congrats.
Or should I say Поздравляю?
Again and again, white insiders from the military, or world of finance, commit crimes and serve no time. We have the highest rate of incarceration in the western world, but only for minorities.
9
Everyone seems to forget the FBI was in the process of monitoring American citizens with an illegal FISA warrant and Flynn was part of the Staff of an active candidate for President of the USA. YIKES. The fact they were able to push this garbage through shows the lunatics are running the asylum.
1
@D
Not true. The warrant was for monitoring foreign agents and they caught US citizens talking to foreign agents. Then they got permission to monitor US citizens. The staff of an incoming administration do not have the authority to talk or make deals with foreign agents. Not until after the new administration is sworn in. There is only one authorized administration at a time. They jumped the gun and then lied about it. Why lie if it was OK to do????
3
Leniency?
Hey, we ain't talking about some born to privilege affluenza suffering simp like don jr. colluding with russian agents.
And we're not talking about some crime syndicate lawyer like cohen covering up the president's adulterous extracurriculars.
Flynn is a retired United States Army General.
An Army General who voluntarily colluded with America's number 1 geopolitical enemy; russia.
Give the traitorous bum at least five years.
12
@Victorious Yankee
Let us not forget: he was bribed by Turkey.
1
@Rudy,
...or that he incited violence against the winner of The American People's Vote Secretary Clinton with his "lock her up" chant at the gop's kkklan rally.
1
I just listened to the New York Times audio digest on Audible and the intro marquee headline for this article is, “Prosecutors Recommend Life Sentence for Michael Flynn.”
Um, perhaps a Freudian slip?
1
Is this recommendation a product of substantive cooperation, or the recognition that no judge is going to incarcerate General Flynn on the facts as admitted in the plea?
In the recent past we have seen redactions in FISA applications for "national security purposes" but that turned out to be to avoid embarrassment purposes.
1
Adam and Eileen, it seems like Trump will be spending the Christmas this year at the Trump Tower as a private citizen after being forced to resign from presidency due to this new development where Michael Flynn is being recommended for no jail time by the Mueller's team for cooperating with the prosecutors about a very serious 'obstruction of justice' charge against his president.
Now, why this news is so important for us ?
The recommendation of no incarnation of Mr. Flynn, by Mr. Mueller to the federal "Judge Emmet G. Sullivan of the United District Court for the District of Columbia" as you've mentioned here,is very significant.
What that move by the Special Counsel signifies is that Mr. Mueller got what he wanted from Mike Flynn : His confession about a crime that he committed on Dec 27th, 2016 when he promised to Putin on Trump's behalf through the Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergey L. Kislyak ,"My president, Mr. Trump will lift the sanctions on your country of Russia that Obama is putting it on today."
To everyone's surprise, Russia did not put any retaliatory sanctions on the United States that they never failed to do before this request from Mike Flynn.
It is not known yet if Mr. Mueller has the tape of Mr. Flynn's conversation with Mr. Kislyak, as you mentioned.
But Trump better pray that the same tape with his voice in the background, which ex -F.B.I. Director probably recorded from inside the Russian embassy, is missing.
If not, he should resign.
1
Flynn's guilt and memories of his chanting "Lock her up" naturally make one want to see him spend some time in the hoosegow. Has Mueller gone soft? I don't think so.
Mueller is sending a message to everyone in his sights that there is another way to escape the full weight of the law besides hoping for an acquittal or an uncertain pardon from a president who feels no loyalty to anyone but himself, namely owning up to one's crimes and fully cooperating with his investigation.
So, while some of us might feel that Flynn is getting off too lightly, in the end justice will be better served.
7
A retired General colluding with a foreign power to determine are elected officials deserves more than prison. Exile and loss of pension should be considered.
10
I think this sent a clear message that is will go easy on you if you cooperate. That does seem like a good message to send to get other to do the same.
Flynn's sentencing memorandum's addendum refers to "communications" provided by him to Mueller investigators. Despite the consequential and hurried trip by then-acting Attorney General Sally Yates to the White House, warning that the new N.S.A. head could be compromised by Russia for publicly lying about the contents of the private Kislyak conversations, Flynn remarkably was not summarily fired but remained in his ultra sensitive position for days. One could wonder whether during his remaining time serving the Trump Administration the F.B.I. took advantage of this delayed departure and placed a "wire" on him, providing a rich amount of incriminating information from a number of officials, including Trump, who communicated with Flynn during this period. Are these the puzzling "communications " referred to in the addendum?
Flynn is composing, he is writing fake symphonies to make up for the fact that he could not tell the truth. A weak man to begin with who went out on his own and was unaccountable to anyone. Credible? Only to the desperate Mueller who latches on to anything .
2
Nonsense! Flynn just told Mueller where to look to find hard documentary evidence to back up his testimony. Mueller would not give him a pass unless there was something actionable given in return.
Brilliant! In one fell swoop, Mueller has foiled Trump's intention to pardon a former Trump ally guilty of participating in Trump's shady dealings with Russia. Mueller has spared us from watching Trump gleefully stick it to the liberals by exercising his so-called executive privilege.
1
The interesting bit I almost missed is Roger Stone has pleaded the Fifth. Stone's lawyers claim Stone is entirely innocent of wrongdoing. However, you can't actually plead the Fifth for a crime you haven't committed. That's why pardons are dangerous for Trump. Once pardoned, the witness can longer avoid compelled testimony. You can't incriminate yourself for a crime for which you've already been pardoned.
Let's assume for a moment though Stone's lawyers are correct. There is no crime. Stone's announcement essentially amounts to a refusal to submit evidence or be interviewed by Congress. You know what that means, right? Subpoena time! I honestly feel Stone's investigation is better left to Mueller than Congress. However, if Congress receives the documents first, they'll simply forward them to the FBI. Assuming of course Mueller doesn't have them already.
Flynn is an example of cooperation and leniency. We'll have to wait and see how Mueller treats Stone. I'm guessing the relationship is going to get ugly.
1
A small step toward honorable behavior of a senior Army officer. Flynn is not the target. The gang leader, Donald, is the target. All the lesser individuals can go free as long as they help the FBI nail Donald.
The fact that a general would even start to be a part of plan to undermine the US elections etc, he would not let any soldier undermin any action of his command off with out a dishonorable discharge and prison He should go to jail for a few years.
3
@florida man Sounds like the beginning of an attempted military coup. Frightening
Trump said:
“I’ve had many friends involved in this stuff; it’s called flipping, and it almost ought to be illegal. It’s not a fair thing.”
The President of the USA is saying that lying, obstruction of justice, witnesses tampering and collaborating with the enemy should be LEGAL.
Will anyone please whisper to the President that what he said is only applicable to the mafia.
4
Sorry Mr. Mueller but the GOP has tied the judge's hands with their Mandatory Minimum sentencing laws.
Or do those sentencing laws only apply to black citizens?
3
Flynn was a bad actor but Mueller is appropriately focused on the big picture. Giving Flynn a deal has advanced the investigation significantly. The big takeaway for others who may be implicated: cooperate and you will be treated fairly. The Manafort alternative - one conviction and more charges on the way - is looking far less attractive. Roger Stone and company take note.
89
@Jeffrey Zuckerman
Without cooperation he should get 20, and with cooperation
15. Let us vote.
Seems like Robert Mueller is out doing the bigot-in-the-Whitehouse, or as he calls himself, “the tariffs man”.
This sends a message very clearly, if you are a player with the corrupt so-called president and you cooperate fully, spill the beans and help strengthen the case, you get rewarded.
Who needs a pardon from donny daycare when you can help yourself by helping your nation?
17
Will it matter if Flynn gets prison time or "a very light sentence" for his cooperation? Prosecutors are "winning" against these crooks but look at their punishment. Fourteen days for Papadopoulos, Pinedo gets six months home arrest, Mr. van der Zwaan with a whopping thirty days in prison. Stone, Manafort, Cohen must be quaking in their calfskin Zegnas.
13
The important thing is that Flynn, as a convicted felon, should have his right to vote restored after his prison time is complete.
3
Leniency on sentencing?
Are you insane?
Flynn didn't go to Mueller voluntarily to tell the truth.
He only began cooperating with Mueller when he was shown the mountains of evidence against him.
Flynn isn't a hero.
Flint is a partisan hack who poisoned US presidential election by colluding with Russian trash to undermine the winner of the American people's vote secretary Hillary.
Clinton.
Throw him in jail for at least five years because Generals should know better.
26
I don’t necessarily disagree with your sentiment, but if Flynn’s cooperation helps land the Big Kahuna — excuse me, Tariff Man — I’m cool with that.
7
@Ned Ludd,
Me too but, as we al
@Ned Ludd,
That's a mighty big IF my friend.
Remember, putin's beard just sat a supreme court justice who doesn't think a sitting president can be indicted or be compelled to answer a subpoena.
I say we hang a 15 year prison sentence on flynn then ask him after a year or two if he forgot anything that might lessen his sentence.
Federal prison works wonders on tight lipped crooks like flynn.
2
A United States Army General should know that you don't lie to the FBI.
A United States National Security Advisor should know that you don't lie to the FBI.
Heck, my three year old knows that you don't lie to the FBI.
Throw flynn in jail for five years at least.
21
Was Michael Flynn a double agent?
With President Trump displaying just how vengeful he's capable of being once he began condemning Michael Cohen's coming clean, if what we are witnessing, Michael Flynn in the barrel, and we compare it to a poker game, I'd say Trump and his lawyers have to assume Mueller is holding a Royal Flush and should fold.
The intended audience of this card game just got it-- you cooperate with me and my team there's the distinct probability you too can get a 'get out of jail' card' -- you simply need to come clean. And just think about it, Trump's relied on his deep pockets over the years to get out of jams, but his underlings simply cannot continue to pay off lawyers who charge $500 an hour.
And for all you card-playing officianados who want to mention Trump can issue 'wild cards' to counter Mueller's strategy, it's pretty obvious Muyeller's already been making deals with the lawyers of anyone who he's placed before the 'barrel.' And there just isn't enough room left in the corner Trump has painted himself and his sycophants into.
3
Flynn should apologize to Hillary Clinton.
21
That definitely should be part of his sentence.
6
@Jsw
A PUBLIC apology to Hillary Clinton should be a mandatory condition of any leniency in his sentencing.
8
@Jws,
That is a brilliant idea.
Absolutely brilliant!
Make his "no jail time" arragement contingent on mr. flynn going on Fox News LIVE and apologizing vociferously to to Secretary Clinton for inciting violence (See: Trump supporter mails pipe bomb to Hillary Clinton) against her and her family.
Short of that, throw the bum in jail!!!
6
Each and every one of you know this long serving Marine General did not deserve this. To massacre this man's life for political gain is a complete disgrace and abuse of power.
The attempt to subvert an election by the Democrats will have the same effect that the Kavanaugh hearings had, people are waking up to the reality that our government has been hijacked by a progressive wing of the Democratic party. That they have installed a Fifth Column of their own inside the vessels of Government.
You may not like Trump however he is exposing the dirt and filth that permeate Washington and prevent these overwhelmed lawmakers from accomplishing deeds that are true and just and needed by the citizens of this country.
God Bless the United States.
18
How do you feel about the Republican efforts to overturn the election results in Wisconsin?
68
Tom, since you are conservative, it should be in full accordance with your own political stance to prosecute Flynn to the full extent of the law, and punish him based in the same borderline cruel and unusual punishment malpractice that applies to the rest of US American citizens. Whether he used to be a four star general, astronaut, dump truck driver, should be absolutely irrelevant taking the severity of what he's accused of into consideration. What these people are accused of having done, has a greater impact and implications for the American society, than a mass shooting. There should be no leniency for accessory to treason.
107
It is a mystery to me how some people see the world. As I see it, Mr. Trump is creating his own dirt and has been doing so his whole life. His Presidency is a stain on and a threat to our democracy. He is interested only in his own welfare, and he has surrounded himself with people who share his intention to enrich himself at the expense of the American people. His avarice is a major factor in his decisions on foreign and domestic policy.
69
It is positively amazing that people like Flynn who have served in government (he ,as a Lieutenant General) do not realize that the FBI and CIA listen to conversations.Whatever made him think that he could talk to Kislyak without the government knowing. There is a pervasive naivete' about the lack of privacy you give up when you serve in government.Trump's crew is particularly clueless as they diligently pursue their private agendas completely forgetting that they swore to serve the American people.
121
@JanetMichael It was his job to talk to Kislyak. He was the incoming NSA. Seriously? So you threaten the man's family with long prison sentences, bankrupt him with a bevy of lawyer fees he has to pay in order to attend 20+ sessions where they're trying to milk him for every piece of info to nail Trump...and they've still got nothing?
If this is your standard, Hillary Clinton needs to be charged with violating the Logan Act because I can 100% guarantee you that she had conversations with the Russian Foreign Secretary prior to taking a spot in Obama's first Administration and before he was sworn in as President.
You know..if double standards didn't exist...Democrats wouldn't have any.
3
He should not have talked to him until Trump took office.
14
your whataboutism is getting old.
and you forget Benghazi!
15
I am grateful Flynn has cooperated with investigators and prosecutors. The damage done, though, sickens me to my core.
I find it hard to understand how anyone with such a long and decorated career serving this country could knowingly act in direct conflict to it.
I don’t buy Gen. Flynn’s excuse about fear of a worldwide Islamic War. Such an excuse suggests the use of extreme beliefs to cover for ideas of potentially large personal gain. Working directly with known adversaries and allies to elevate their political agendas contrary to human, democratic, and American values for money certainly did not have anything to do with Flynn’s stated fear. In this way, Flynn’s intent was much like what can be suggested as motivation for President Trump - greed. It was clear from Trump’s presidential campaign, Trump had been compromised in some fashion by Russia - Trump wanted something from Russia and and Russia wanted something in return. The fact Flynn jumped on that train early, ignoring and embracing the obvious when, based on his background, he should have known better, suggests he was willing to reject everything this country stands for to serve corruption.
111
Could we have a little less of Rudy Giuliani's grousing? He doesn't know what evidence Mueller has, whom he is going to indict, or what charge may face Trump adherents and family members. Rudy doesn't have brains enough to be quiet; but the press can stop quoting a testy has-been ideologue at every turn.
7
I think Flynn should get zero prison time, because then Manafort would see the error of his ways in placing his eggs in the "pardon" basket, and his fate entirely in the hands of someone as fickle as Trump, when he, too, might simply have done the right thing with responsible people and avoided jail too.
2
Lots of angry comments coming from the same crowd who showed zero concern when Hillary deleted 1000’s of emails that had been subpoenaed. The collective hipocracy knows no bounds..
2
Deleting emails on a secure, personal email account seems positively quaint in contrast with the plethora of corruption taking place with Trump and his administration.
7
This "lock her up" guy is a disgrace to the military. No matter how helpful his cooperation he should serve some time.
13
Mueller is preempting Trump pardons, so the rest of the felons will understand that full cooperation is their only real choice. Outflanking Trump is a master stroke.
8
“I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go...He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go."--President Donald Trump to FBI Director James Comey in February, 2017.
Gen. Michael Flynn is, and has always been, I think, the key to the lock that reveals the extent of the Trump campaign and any possible illegal dealings with Russia in 2016. If Mr. Mueller is recommending that the general walk after 19 weighty and substantial interviews, it speaks to the Special Prosecutor's humanity and patriotism. He knows that he needs to unearth all the serpents lying under the stones in this rotten, weed-bestrewn field.There are many redactions in the Mueller memo. There are still ongoing investigations into the tributaries that have grown out of the whole.
I can only hope, as this investigation continues, that the Mueller team has 24/7 security. They seem to be so close to breaking this this into the open that my heart sometimes feels like stopping when I think of the forces, foreign and domestic, that might profit from the liquidation of Mr. Mueller and his relentless team.
Be very afraid, Mr. President. Be very afraid, members of Congress, who may have known about this plot to undermine our nation. I won't mention any names because, in time, Mr. Mueller will.
I'll be waiting.
489
@Red Sox, '04, '07, '13, ‘18, I don’t think you have to worry about Mueller safety. He has thought of this and has necessarily security. Just in case there is a maga nut out there willing to try something. As for taking him out and his team it would be pointless. All the Evidence is secure and backed up on so many levels it’s pointless to try to delete it from existence. As for a foreign nation taking action against a USA citizen on USA soil. Well we all, western nations, nato, would be at war with that nation within a week. We still have your back even when we’re annoyed with your government.
45
@Red Sox, '04, '07, '13, ‘18,
Thank you. Feeling the same for quite some time now. Putin and the Russian mob are brilliant assassins.
12
@Ben Thank you Vancouver Ben! Good to know.
17
I'm glad he cooperated, and for that he deserves a more lenient sentence, but Flynn should do time. For that matter, Pappadopulous should do two years instead of two weeks.
I understand Mueller's motives here: he needs to counterbalance Individual 1's blatant witness-tampering by making leniency a safer bet than a pardon. However, the only way to prevent the next Trump is to make it painfully clear that we are a nation of laws and abuse of power will not be tolerated.
It's obvious that no one in Individual 1's orbit, including the majority of the GOP, has the integrity to act lawfully. Therefore the only alternative is to make them fear the consequences.
544
@Josh Wilson
Cooperation is only happening because these people get appealing sentencing recommendations - and they are being handled so no pardons are necessary, making it hard for Trump to interfere.
Flynn, Cohen, many of the other people sold out their country. But without their cooperation, there's no way to get at Donald Trump and family - he's the point of this investigation and Mueller knows by now just how corrupt and criminal Donald Trump is.
Just be grateful these people were willing to flip and help Mueller or we'd never know anything about how
traitors at the very highest level sold out our country.
141
@Josh Wilson
You think Flynn should do two years in jail for telling the FBI he did not discuss sanctions with the Russian ambassador? He violated no law by discussing sanctions with the Russian ambassador. He wasn't truing to cover up a crime.
You think Papadopulous should do two years for telling he met a Londpon-based Maltese professor before instead of after he became part of the Trump campaign? There was nothing illegal about his contact with the professor. He wasn't covering up a crime.
5
individual 1 should be impeached, indicted and incarcerated. That must be done to prevent another trump.
43
This definitely feels like the end of the beginning.
2
Lock him up.
Even if only for one day.
Lock him up.
C'mon judge. It is too delicious to pass it up.
Lock him up.
7
so the question of the day is will this or will this not please trump, as he kept saying how decent a man Flynn was, and his life was being ruined. but now that Flynn has talked and talked a lot, 19 times with the Mueller team and more than likely gave information that isn't good for trump, then maybe trump will now say Flynn should get a very long prison sentence for all the crimes he committed. but what trump actually means is he wasn't a tough guy after all, but very weak, that's the real crimes in trumps mind. American can't hardly wait for the end game, Mueller's team will give us a very clear picture on what transpired with the trump camp during and after the election, and who they asked for help.
3
I would not put it past the Trump crowd to claim that Mueller is handing out "leniency recommendation candy" in his "witch hunt" crying foul. It's a game they have to win at the expense of the country. But the presidential pardon, if it ever was going to work for Trump, has been neutered vis a vis Flynn at least.
3
Irony of ironies. The man Trump tried to protect by asking James Comey to go easy on Flynn before fiting the F.B.I. director for not doing so; may in the end be the one who brings down Trumpocracy once and for all.
5
@Greg Hodges
If only Comey had "let it go," Trump & Co. would have gotten away with stealing the Presidential election.
2
After all the anti Trumpeting and hoopla by the Dems that Mueller will produce evidence of the "c" word = collusion, it would now seem appropriate to adopt the Texas saying: " All hat no cattle!"
2
@Ross Stuart
Wrong, on many fronts:
- We don't know all the info that Mueller has, because he hasn't made all his indictments and written his report. A prosecutor doesn't tell the world "I'm going after Mr. X for insider trading"; he/she does the investigation first, then if he/she has enough evidence, issues an indictment. Why do you trumpkins claim to know the results before he has disclosed them?
- Mueller clearly isn't done indicting people. If collusion had occurred, he will let us know when it's time to indict someone(s).
- Mueller is investigating other potential crimes. Obstruction of justice is one of them. It appears highly likely that he has enough info to indict Trump on that one.
The cattle are wearing the hats; you're just obsessed with only seeing the hats and ignoring the cattle.
4
And you know this, how?
2
Every one around Trump as well as Trump himself are up to their ears in Russia. You are standing inside a herd of cattle and somehow cannot see a single cow.
2
I for one am disappointed. I was so looking forward to seeing the infamous republican taunt of 'Lock Her Up' come full circle.
8
OK, Mr. 'Lock Her Up' may not be going to jail if the judge accepts the plea for leniency from the Mueller investigation. Fine, we the public must accept the findings as presented.
I didn't realize how nice it was to have a silenced Michael Flynn. I hope the conclusion of his cooperation and the sentencing on December 18th does not mean that Mr. Flynn will return to public life. He was a mean man of self-serving deals who did not honor the medals he wore.
7
@Elizabeth If the book deal hasn’t been signed already it is certainly in the works. He will appear somewhere on Fox News on the evening of Dec.18th and appear there regularly thereafter as some kind of commenter on defense. In 2020 he will be out telling more lies about the Democratic presidential candidates. This old soldier probably can’t afford to fade away. He has bills to pay.
Proof follows investigation....it does not precede it.
That's why the Trumpies hate the idea of any investigation.
The White House defenses are unraveling; federal prosecutors have gained the cooperation of multiple members of Trump's inner circle and he stands accused by co-conspirators of federal crimes. And the probe into the Trump campaign's interactions with agents of the Russian government is very close to completion.
Every Trump effort to shutter the investigations merely proves that it is NO WITCH HUNT. Claims that every thing is false and that facts don't matter is all that Trump can try to do to save this dying disaster of a presidency. Ain't working.
Investigation has shown that a treasonous crime against America has occurred. Americans want the perpetrators found and punished.
Had the FBI investigated Trump before the election, he and his brood would be in the Big House, not the White House.
6
No jail time, really? I can understand the reasoning for leniency but Flynn committed crimes against the country. Tattling after the fact shouldn't obviate that.
10
It's been said that the military is a reflection of the society in general. Perhaps or perhaps not.
What I see in all this is a Greek tragedy i.e., the hero with feet of clay. Flynn could have retired and lived a relatively good life as an ex-general, a combat decorated veteran of 33 years in the Army.
Instead he went for the pecuniary brass ring, and even involved his son in an attempt for a huge payoff; the kind of money he never expected to see in retirement. He sold out his values and consorted with a whole stable of domestic and foreign creeps. Then, having been found out, he lied like the dickens to get out of it.
He's cast a terrible shadow on the corps.
135
@Bob Burns
Flynn will not emerge a hero. His flamboyant "Lock her up" speech will be replayed over and over. He may not get prison time but he will have to live the rest of his life in disgrace.
14
@Bob Burns...By the "corps", do you mean the United States Marine Corps? If you do, then please capitalize "corps" in future comments. Thank you.
2
Mueller has no choice but to ask for minimal or no jail time for Flynn because of Flynn’s usefulness to him. But hopefully the judge gives some jail time to Flynn, even if it’s just a few months. This would serve as a lesson to others high up in this administration, and/or who were involved in the campaign, who flouted the law, and continue to do so. And that includes the Occupant. Also the cool factor of the leader of the “lock her up” chant being locked up himself.
113
@Forthebe A few months??? George P got only 14 days, will released Monday, and he did not cooperate and clearly stated that he no longer considered himself guilt of any crime.
7
Few months? The lesson learned here is that you can do any treasonous action and so long as you cooperate, you'll receive leniency. In such a world, law is totally meaningless.
He should get the medium to maximum amount of prison time and if that surpasses his lifetime, so be it.
10
@Forthebe Leave him free to lead the next Lock "X" Up chant, X=take your pick of Trump, Kushner, Trump Jr, et al. Lol, Ivanka would be especially fitting, for her own email gaffe!
3
A high government official who tried to sell his government and our position in the world, got caught, told all, deserves prison for the initiating act, despite the mea culpa. All is forgiven is just as bad a judgement as the selling out of our country for personal gain. Forgiveness from the execution for treason should have been the understanding of the facts.
6
Perhaps Mueller's recommendation of light sentencing for Flynn will be an incentive for other "pardon-hopefuls" to be even more forthcoming with the truth.
7
Both Michael Flynns (senior and junior) should be sentenced to spend time in jail, even if it is for one day. Maybe then they will regret their cheering on the Trump crowds - "Lock her up". Neither have ever voiced regret or apologized for those comments, or have ever given equal criticism of the Trump administration.
19
General Flynn was fired by Obama because he believed there were Islamic terrorists and that they posed an existential threat to the United States.
That is all anyone needs to know about the Obama's administration's stance on Islamic terrorists.
3
@Charles in service
That is not why Obama fired Flynn. Flynn was fired in 2014 for insubordination and not following orders. He was fired for creating disruption and being temperamentally unfit to lead a large agency like the DIA. He was fired for clashes with other officials like Michael G. Vickers. The Obama administration warned Trump about hiring Flynn as the acting AG thought he could be susceptible to being blackmailed by the Russians. The Trump administration ignored them and hired him anyway. 3 weeks later he was fired.
Those are the facts, well documented in the news media reports.
14
That Obama was right? It's laughable to think Islamic terrorists pose an existential threat to the US. Do you know what that big word means?
Trump is more of a threat to the existence of the US aswe know it.
9
@Charles in service
But, but, but, it's all about Obama!
But, but, but, it's all about Hillary!
But, but, but, it's all about the lying media!
But, but, but, it's all about the Deep State!
But, but, but, it's all about evil scoialist Liberals!
8
So many ex military officers look to ride the govt gravy train when they retire.
3
Fact: a traitor is a traitor and by any other name is guilty of treason.
7
Those who act the toughest is the first to fold.
Flynn, an ex-military man and the first to shout “Lock Her Up!” turned out to be weakest of all of Trump’s lackeys. His squeal, said an opinionator at the BBC, led to the most indictments so far.
A question for Mr. Flynn:
Now that we know that you are a criminal and a coward, care to repeat that chant? What? We can’t hear you. Louder please. Pretend that you are at the podium during the Republican convention.
Okay, let me me help you:
“Lock...
18
The only person who thought Flynn lied was Mueller, Weismann and his band of democrat hate POTUS all the time prosecutors. He deserves no jail time because he did nothing wrong. End the witch hunt.
4
@Steve
Proof follows investigation....it does not precede it.
That's why the Trumpies hate the idea of any investigation.
Every Trump effort to shutter the investigations merely proves that it is NO WITCH HUNT. Claims that every thing is false and that facts don't matter is all that Trump and his little Trumpies can try to do to save this dying disaster of a presidency.
11
Yeah, it’s a witch hunt. That’s why so many witches have been indicted and are headed to jail. I hope Mueller gets the biggest witch of all......
5
@Steve - Pence and Trump claimed that Flynn lied.
The emperor has no clothes. Mr. Trump's motto,don't believe my lying eyes.
3
This soon to be convicted criminal better have the goods on DJT in order to avoid jail time. Otherwise it’s just business as usual in Washington.
9
This tangled web all begins with trump’s greed and insecurity- his need to ingratiate himself with men he identifies as uber powerful- Putin, MBS of Saudi Arabia, Kim Jung (if there’s profit to be made)- to offer them penthouses in resorts and hotels. The quid pro quo. Flynn greased the wheels- Cohen greased the wheels, Manafort greased the wheels- it’s about the power of greed and it’s ability to corrupt and spread corruption. The Senate has turned a blind eye due to their own greed. This country has suffered- May justice prevail and fall most heavily on him and his family of corrupt minions.
25
I wonder if Trump has been shown the unredacted memos.
5
Flynn, the man who FBI agents believe told the truth, but Mueller charged him anyways.
Such a victory.
3
Um, that's kind off how these things work every day all over the country.
2
@Ken
Huh? Flynn lied first, then was caught. He only "told the truth" after he was caught in his lie, as part of a plea deal. That doesn't mean he didn't break the law; he still lied!
Plea deals happen all the time; that's how our system works.
Go back to junior high Social Studies; you need a refresher.
2
14 Days for Popadapolus. zero time for Flynn. wow, this multi-million dollar which hunt continues to bear fruit.
6
People don’t plead guilty if they are innocent. Flynn cooperated to get a reduced sentence. This is not a witch hunt, no matter how many times Trump and his head in the sand followers say it is.
10
@Tom G
People who are fighting the government, that has unlimited resources very often plead guilty when they are innocent. Happens a lot more than you would know. You would do the same if you had to sell your house to pay your lawyers. Of course, being on the left, would just get a GoFundMe and become a millionaire with no worries, but the rest of us who don't have that option would do as Flynn did and you know it.
“I’ve had many friends involved in this stuff; it’s called flipping, and it almost ought to be illegal. It’s not a fair thing.”
Translation: "Most of my friends have committed crimes and squealed the truth when they got caught. But it's not fair if they're going to squeal on me. Ought to be illegal to squeal on me, might lead to them catching me. Flipping is not in the rules I play by!"
And blathers America's tiny, whiny president.
Lock him up!
30
I understand the sentiment that Flynn deserves punishment rather than a get out of jail card, but let us remember he is only a pawn in the game. It is more important to expose the game and checkmate the king.
17
Waiting for Trump to call him "weak." Hope what he said will be of help, but dislike the man intensely.
7
Trump can’t twitter smear Michael Flynn because of his military background. Every fledgling dictator knows he needs the backing of the military to stay in power. Hiring Flynn may have been Trumps second biggest mistake. The biggest was running for President at all.
8
@EW - Trump has twitter smeared other military members.
If you are going to take this approach toward Michael Flynn then the same consideration should be given to Edward Snowden. Both men broke the law. Flynn did it out of greed. Snowden did it to warn American citizens of the invasion of their privacy rights.
18
@Seabrook Neither deserves much consideration. Both were guilty. And I don't need Snowden's warning...I can think for myself.
5
@Seabrook
Amen.
Edward Snowden is a patriot. Snowden deserves and earned no jail time or a full pardon.
Snowden exposed George W. Bush and Barack H. Obama breaking the law in cahoots and conspiracy with mass communications and internet service providers. Snowden also exposed the incompetence of our national security intelligence agencies.
5
The Trump children, in an effort to continue to cozy up to their father, would also have taken Michael Flynn into their confidence during the campaign. After all, if the Donald Trump was blabbing to Flynn about everything under the Sun, why shouldn't they. What Mueller has on the whole 'Our Gang' troupe will shut them down, if not lock them up.
12
Oddly, I find this reassuring. I am no fan of Flynn and found his conduct reprehensible on the campaign trail. Yet, my confidence in the stewardship of Mr. Mueller over this investigation is high. I trust and defer to his judgement. I look forward to a continued, even handed investigation with a just conclusion. Our democratic principles demand no less.
22
This is a message to Manafort and Cohen as well: Come clean now and you may get some leniency or you will take the fall for the real masterminds
32
@Bos Perhaps you didn't read the story where McCabe, Comey and Strzok all testified they didn't think Flynn was untruthful and certainly not lying.
So Mueller and his gaggle of Democrat connected prosecutors show up and they pull out the Logan Act?
Seriously?
You need to be careful because the seeds you're sowing now will come back in spades.
And by spades, I mean the Special Counsel that's about to be appointed to look into Russian collusion with the Democrats in the 2016 election and the subversion of our democratic process.
I'm thinking Obama, Lynch, Clapper, Brennan, and Clinton are all going to need to lawyer up..and right quick.
2
When will Giuliani be disbarred for misleading statements to the public........the Muller investigation has paid for itself.
Flynn's life in the swamp was profitable but short, while Giuliani continues to benefit from his descent into the swamp.
68
@ron Long before Giuliani entered this swamp he has been mired in swamps for quite some time. His Stop and Frisk policy was a total disregard for the civil rights of many innocent people. His decision not to warn those cleaning up Ground Zero within hours of the disaster of 9-11 caused deaths and poor health of so many. He had knowledge of the toxicity of the area from the EPA but the health of the cleaners wasn't a concern to him. I will be very pleased when his talking head does not grace the news stations.
16
@ron
Giuliani is a cartoon character....the butt of jokes.
It is simply unbelievable that Trump lets this "I demand to be relevant again!" Giuliani speak for him.
1
Flynn should be fined some multiple of the 530000 he received as an unregistered agent of Turkey. Don’t imprison him. Bankrupt him. Similarly while the president may not be indictable the Trump organization can be fined out of existence
50
And make him pay fair taxes
3
"I've had many friends involved in this stuff; it's called flipping..."
I am a decade younger than Mr. Trump, but to date, I have yet to have a friend convicted of a felony (the only thing people would "flip" over), not to mention "many".
What has this nation come to?
42
As a bare minimum, Flynn needs to publicly apologize to Hillary Clinton, admit his wrongdoing and ask for forgiveness.
73
@Charlie Fieselman
Otherwise the Army will strip him of his stripes and revoke his honorable discharge.
It has been clear since October of 2016 that the Russians attacked our nation and yet the Republicans that control the House, the Senate, the White House, the Justice Department and the Mueller probe still can't produce the evidence for the American people to take action against the criminals and enemies of the American people. Is that due to incompetence or corruption?
6
@Ronny - perhaps they can’t produce the evidence you so badly want to exist because it doesn’t actually exist.
2
@Midwest Josh I think you are going to be very disappointed.
3
@Lizzie - I surely hope so, but two years of this team working without limits should have produced solid evidence, not just these sideshow charges. If something serious enough to bring down Trump had already been uncovered, Meuller would’ve made his move.
He wasn’t going to get much of a sentence anyway. We’ll just have to see where it leads to. Mueller had better have something good.
4
@Ed Being a secret, paid agent of a foreign country (several foreign countries actually) while head of US National Security - to which Flynn pleaded - would seem to be treasonous; so why would anyone think Flynn 'wouldn't get much of a sentence?' (turns out he won't ... but perhaps he should serve at least some time for selling out his country ).
6
@Unconvinced It does seem unfair and unjust, however, nobody in their right mind will ever trust him again. He is an untouchable in the true sense of the word.
1
The guy was a agent for Turkey taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes while in the Whitehouse.
I forgot about the 1% 's justice.
Any of us low class people we would be in a box for life.
35
@gene
If only Flynn had asked, I feel certain that Bill and Hillary would have instructed him on how to set up a foundation.
Let us hope that Mueller, his colleagues, and their families are now and will be in future, protected well against the actions of second-amendmentalists.
8
Jared Kushner and General Flynn were arm-in-arm during the period relevant to Flynn's guilty plea and these memoranda.
If I were him, I would be very worried that my name is underneath those redaction bars because of the story I told to federal investigators.
20
Bravo Mr. Mueller. You have sent a clear message yourself. Cooperate fully and there is no need to be concerned about staying "loyal" to trump and receive the "clearer than implied offer" of a pardon. Someday, we will find out all that Flynn did (lying to the FBI is just a negotiated guilty plea, not the full story as anyone with intelligence understands).
20
Mueller recommending no jail time for Flynn may be a well- thought move. It completely takes away Trump's dangling pardons over the heads of his indicted 'co-conspirators'.
Keep them guessing Mr. Mueller offering a little information at a time. My wager remains on the table that the reason djt's anxiety continues to escalate, expectantly is the "other members" his report refers to are his family members.
21
There is a fatal flaw in Mueller's view of the investigations he leads in that he characterizes themselves as the "Government", which is precisely what this investigation should be focused on.
Flynn pled guilty to lying to the FBI about events that took place after the election, not before. There is nothing illegal about an incoming foreign policy advisor meeting with foreign ambassadors. He was under no obligation to even tell the FBI about the meeting, though as cryptically noted in the article, he knew the FBI was wiretapping the meeting and knew all about it.
Further the FBI agents who interviewed him did not think he lied. Seems likely he took a plea to protect his son. The key point: nothing in all this has anything to do with Russian collusion with the Trump campaign during the election. That's still a bizarre conspiracy theory supported by zero evidence.
6
@Caleb Mars. You are wrong. This happened during transition, where the official government was still the Obama administration. It is the responsibility of a president elect's appointees, to notify and disclose any contact with a foreign officials, since there can only be one foreign policy at a time. Furthermore, trump and his advisors were clearly advised about the concerns of Mr. Flynn's past. in the end, Flynn did take being an American first over loyalty to a real estate con man. Thank goodness.
31
Mr. Mueller is slowly, ever so carefully, peeling back the layers of the onion to finally reveal the stinking, slushy mess at the center, which is Trump and his campaign. What WASN’T said in the Flynn sentencing memo, what was redacted, is what should have Trump quaking in his boots. It’s clear that Flynn had quite a story to tell the Special Counsel.
22
@Foodie - like I said- this is about events that transpired after the election: nothing that could bear on collusion before the election. I think most incoming administrations have had some contact with foreign officials during the transition. What was out of ordinary was the Obama administration deciding to set new policy in its waning hours. Usually outgoing Presidents confer with the incoming administration so they don't cause a crisis as a new team is coming in.
I trust the Mueller team on this recommendation.
They know the investigation better than any of us and they obviously know the relevant laws.
Moreover, I trust that the Mueller team is doing right by the American people.
37
No, he needs to do some time. There is a maximum penalty for violating the laws he admittedly pled guilty to, he should serve at least 90 days. As a convicted felon I wonder what type, if any government contracts will be available to him. I'm sure some of his cronies may be able to use him in an advisory/consultant capacity granting him access to hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees.
12
I hope a few more of the higher-up conspirators go to prison besides Manafort, rather than too many getting off by cooperating, or else we risk seeing more such conspiracies in the future by people who know they can largely get away with it by turning evidence after being caught. On the other hand, this need to have some conspirators imprisoned to set an example, has to be balanced with the need for some future conspirators to cooperate with investigators once caught.
9
Was an opportunity missed to ask Mr Giuliani what the cost is for one of Mr. Trump’s weekend golf outings?
51
Or the "witch hunt" into Hillary? Giuliani is politically oriented in his quest for the truth.
How much has been spent on the Hillary investigation, Mr. Giuliani?
3
Meanwhile Brennan, Clapper, McCabe and Comey all walk free.
4
@sav None of the gentlemen you mentioned committed any crime, that's why they all walk free. That's the interesting thing about the USA and the rule of law in general: one does not go to jail for failing to obey a despotic and undemocratic leader.
59
@sav: Yup, lots of people walk free who did not lie to the FBI. Your point is?
28
So does Ivanka Trump, who is guilty of the exact same thing Trump supporters want Hillary Clinton locked up for. Where’s the outcry about that?
7
Oh I see. The white male who should know better after serving as a general, gets leniency after lying under oath, but many poor minority folk are locked up for almost nothing.
At the very least , Flynn should serve 24 days in prison, same number of days he served in the Trump administration, if for nothing more than yelling " lock her up "about a woman who has no criminal charges against her.
He behaved despicably.
159
@CTMD
Flynn, strikes me as a bit of a goof ball. He’s got that serious face and military creds, but he’s a man in a bubble, trying to leverage that square jaw into a post military career. The biggest thing is that he doesn’t know when to shut up. His big mouth got him kicked out of the Obama administration, he switches sides leading the famous “lock her up,” chant, then he lies, (for no reason), to the FBI. The whole, “lying to the FBI,” is a trap used by any federal prosecutor. Once they suspect someone of a federal crime, (essentially know their guilty), they send an FBI agent over to ask some questions they already have the answers to. Flynn, walked right into an open manhole cover. Who wants to do ten years? If he were still in the military, it would be like he walked into a posted minefield with snowshoes on.
2
this is a fight of the pardons. Muller vs Trump, Flynn vs Manafort. Who will be more convincing for the indicted? Fight!
2
General Lock-her-up may not be going to jail, but his guilty plea -- for lying and, essentially, treason -- proves him to be a man of little or no honor. Jail or no, that truth about him in the eyes of his fellow Americans can never be fixed.
63
Flynn was one of the big cheerleaders to “Lock her up.” He ought to do some time, both for the optics and because he has admitted to breaking the law.
59
Can't wait to see the tweets in the morning about this one. Unless the Tweeter-in-chief actually learned something from criticism of his obstruction of justice tweets on Monday berating cohen and praising Stone.
15
Flynn should serve time in jail. He cooperated to keep his son out of jail so he is already getting a huge break. He lied to the American people. He disgraced himself and betrayed his years of service. He has redeemed himself somewhat for cooperating, but given that he is protecting his son and all of the “Lock her up” chants, he needs to serve some time in prison. I tire of white collar criminals getting special treatment. Hopefully the judge will give him what he truly deserves.
45
Complaints about the money spent on this FBI investigation? It's what the FBI should be doing. I wonder how much the Benghazi fuss cost?
49
@jsutton
The money has been recouped from the seizing of Manfort's properties.
5
My guess, as to Mueller's strategy, is to make "flipping" a way to avoid prison time, and thus, to encourage those who have not to open up. Or in other words, Flynn's get-out-of-jail-free card is an advertisement.
24
It also deflates any thoughts of being indebted to Trump and eligible for a pardon.
4
Please ‘check-me’ on this, but does this not serve to neutralize any attempt by Trump to muzzle Flynn by dangling a pardon? Especially if the redacted portions implicate Individual 1.
25
“This is what we get for $30 million and two years of an investigation and no evidence of collusion, and we get a process charge?”
I thought we get to learn whether a foreign entity tampered with our election system and to what extent.
Perhaps Rudy’s focus on collision exposes his own preoccupation.
13
Plus, the investigation has more than paid for itself by seizing Manafort’s properties.
14
At some point, someone is going to have to pay for crimes committed. These paltry plea deals had better indicate that something huge is going to be rapaciously prosecuted otherwise America will be eviscerated socially and politically. Flynn is essentially escaping from justice when guilty of high crimes by his own admission. Somebody has to be heavily guilty of something. Many of us wish for Trump and Kushner, but isn’t that just vindictive when so many others have abrogated their duty to law of the land? Will conviction of the Don exculpate the complicit wiseguys below? Will conviction of one or two individuals truly fix the problem of systemic corruption and filthy morals within a broad political spectrum? Perhaps this is why Trump bellows in protest about a witch hunt: in a coven of unabashed sorcerers, he is the only one facing the stake.
Mueller can’t repair America with plea deals, and, if he likes it or not, the role of national saviour is his anointed role.
8
@Marcus Brant: Remember "The buck stops here" (President Truman)? Well, well. Yeah, lots of bad people who acted in service to Trump or, more accurately, his administration's ideology. And so, if there is evidence, Trump is the one who gets to own the crime. He can't shovel this off on some other fall guy.
5
My opinion of Mr. Mueller, despite the impressive story of his past, has now plummeted. He, like Flynn, was a military man. And Flynn, a supposed public servant. Personally, I don't care how much info Flynn provided Mueller or how valuable his information is or may be. Aside from his totally inappropriate and unbecoming vitriol at the RNC Convention, he was the incoming National Security Advisor, one who willingly compromised himself and the security of the United States of America, all for his personal gain. He should have the book thrown at him. No jail time? I sure hope the sentencing judge has more of a patriotic mindset that Mueller, can discern right from wrong, and make Flynn accountable for his treasonous actions. My formerly high expectations of what Mueller would do with this rampant criminal administration are now severely depressed.
9
@Don F. - I feel largely a similar way, but on the other hand, if Mueller hadn't recommended and offered a lenient sentence for cooperation, Flynn probably wouldn't have cooperated, and would have held out for a pardon instead. He was in a key position to know much of the inside info about the Trump-Russia conspiracy. When investigating a conspiracy, prosecutors walk a fine line between needing cooperation and needing to prosecute, and if necessary, criminals can be given consideration when it's needed to get the real instigators.
10
There is something distasteful in the manner by which major white collar criminals can plea bargain their way our of jail. I realise the end may justify the means, but this end is unavailable to ordinary criminals who work on their own initiative and are unable to incriminate others.
10
@Hamid Varzi: Everything you write is correct but with one big difference: "ordinary criminals," or for that matter, all "ordinary people," may have no access to plea bargaining but then the fate of the earth doesn't depend on their ability to bargain for a pass. Flynn didn't have the button (metaphorically as well as in reality). Trump does. Mueller plea bargains with Flynn et.al. in an effort to determine if the button (metaphorically and in reality) is in safe hands.
4
@Chip Steiner
But then it simply encourages every big-wig to break every rule in the book, knowing full well that if they get caught they can stay out of jail by betraying others.
1
This is another instance of the undue influence that the Republic of Turkey has had on American politics for decades. Why focus only on Russia interference in US politics? The disembowelment of my great-grandfather, a former Ottoman Member of Parliament, and grandfather, a sitting city councilman, in 1915 and the confiscation of their vast fortune has been swept under the rug by the US State Department for too long. The justification for NATO is dead. Turkey and Russia are now military and economic allies. Face the tectonic geo-political shift that has occurred and move the Incirlik base out of Turkey.
2
Sure, people should be rewarded for cooperating with an investigation. But zero prison time for both what he did originally and then lying repeatedly about it to officials? Zero seems unduly small under the circumstances we know of.
18
Giving information to the Russians means only one thing
The man is a traitor
He should be punished as such
29
President Donald Trump: “I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go...He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go."
It seems for once that Mr Mueller listened to Trump.(lol)
More seriously, what if Mr Flynn never lied to Pence? It could spell trouble for Pence and make the speaker of the House, the next in line to become President.
No surprises McConnell doesn't want to pass a bill to protect Mueller. Anyone here think McConnell would give up its rights to fill up courts all over the country or 1 or 2 more seats on the Supreme court?
Democrats have to grow some spines and shut down the government if need be ( Republicans have shown down the government for less). You can't fund a government if that government is lead by a potential criminal, aka "Individual 1"
21
Judge Sullivan can accept and follow Mueller's recommendation of no jail time for Flynn or he can administer some actual justice. Mueller can represent compassion and the practical mechanics of getting pigs to squeal, and Judge Sullivan can advance the notion, however strained, that if you break the law you're going to do some time. Bob's done his job. Now let the Judge do his!
39
He was a top intelligence official for a long time and had top security clearances. He certainly knows too much to jail.
7
A crass view is that the Washington establishment chose Manafort as the fall guy from the onset. The assumed that Congress would do nothing to involve the President.
The result is an investigation that drops charges and metes out wet noodles--- in essence, shielding everyone involved. It fools you into complacency by providing you that all-important 'something is being done' feeling.
However, the Kingpin and his family were predetermined to walk. Right?
3
Flynn does not need to locked up. The wheels of justice or revenge tends to be swifter if you are free.
4
If they take down Trump, no jail time for Flynn will be worth it a 1000 times over. The cancer and corruption starts at the head but sometimes you have to sacrifice a few fingers or a limb to eradicate it.
23
Individual-1 may not be resting easy tonight. Reading between the lines, it appears that Flynn was but a stepping stone to the bigger fish: Kushner and Trump.
28
Yeah, I don't think Pence will skate away from this unscathed. Nor should he.
30
We are still waiting for the goods from the Mueller investigation. I am fearful that crimes stemming from the investigation itself, rather than the matters the investigation was established to investigate, will be dismissed by Trump supporters. They have accepted so much from this man, I have no reason to believe that will change now.
This seems to be the way things are headed - An article in the Atlantic points out that Rush Limbaugh and Lindsay Graham have started referring to the charges brought thus far are for “process crimes” - no doubt we’ll see similar from Fox News and the White House. https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.theatlantic.com/amp/article/577351/
From this NYT article: “Why Mr. Flynn chose to lie about his and Mr. Kislyak’s discussions remains a mystery to the F.B.I. officials who investigated the case. Before investigators interviewed Mr. Flynn at the White House, he had indicated to a senior F.B.I. official that he knew the United States had been listening to Mr. Kislyak’s calls, former law enforcement officials said.” - Hopefully when this is revealed, it will be enough to convince Trump’s supporters of the error of their ways.
8
Don’t bet on it - when people are part of a cult they will walk on hot coals rather than turn on their leader.
2
Can't take credit for this. Read elsewhere in a Comment.
Roughly:
If Trump really wanted Hillary in prison, he should have hired her onto his campaign.
59
My disappointment at no longer being able to chant "Lock him up!" with every Flynn sighting on TV is tempered by the satisfying knowledge that he has provided information which will likely help to bring an end to this despicable administration.
I am curious to know when and what Flynn told Pence about the December 29 Russian call. I am convinced that the pious and uber sanctimonious VP lying to America when he claimed to have no knowledge of Flynn's call. I also look forward to hearing Flynn's explanation of why he lied to the FBI about a call which he must have known had been intercepted. Is it possible that the president himself ordered him to lie and thereby commit a crime? Just wondering.
22
I represented a young woman who as a favor to her boyfriend sat next to a box on the steps of a rowhouse downtown for a few minutes while he ran an errand. She left on his return. The box contained drugs. The episode was filmed by federal agents. The agents several years later swooped in and arrested everybody in the drug conspiracy, which they alleged included her. She was offered a plea of ten years without parole for her “role” in the conspiracy. If she went to trial, she faced life, because the conspiracy involved a huge aggregated quantity of drugs.
The prosecutor in the case was somewhat sympathetic to this poor woman’s plight. There was no evidence against her other than watching the box for a few minutes in this wide-ranging and years-long criminal enterprise, and nothing other than circumstantial evidence that she had any idea what was in the box. But the prosecutor’s hands were tied because she had orders “from above” to “send a message.” Those who don’t cooperate were to get the max, and if they had no useful information to reveal, tough luck.
She took the ten without, and her life, up to that point a successful journey up from a dysfunctional family in a nightmare neighborhood to an associate’s degree at the community college to a good job with high potential, was ruined.
I realize Mueller must have carrots to wave in front of miscreants like Flynn they deal with, but suggest the quality of carrots must be standardized from the very top to the very bottom.
319
@George...Yes,it is a poor choice of choices.But Flynn CHOSE to Betray his country...2 Years!
21
@George
Did the boyfriend come to her defense?
4
@George, that' young woman's case is astounding. I thought such cases could only be found in "Law and Order".
I am fairly sure that the case against her would be thrown out of court here.
Get your qualifications recognised by the NSW Supreme Court and come practice here, George. I reckon you would do well as a defense barrister.
10
Mr. Flynn as good as a general as he may have been made the strategic mistake of working as an agent for Turkey,and conspired with the Russians to influence our elections Does he deserve prison time? Yes! Would it serve to help Mueller get the cooperation of others? Probably not. Time for the carrot and stick show
6
It is looking bad for Trump.
It never seemed likely to me that Trump colluded with the Russians. Putin had ample reason to try to influence the election against Hillary Clinton because of past actions by Bill Clinton to influence Russian elections. He would therefore feel justified in hacking emails of John Podesta and providing the results to Julian Assange.
And on a certain level, Putin was doing a service to America's voters. Because the Podesta tapes showed that in fact Hillary Clinton lied by saying one thing to one group of donors and another to voters. Perhaps some would say this was no surprise since all politicians lie in order to get elected. But we should demand a higher standard from our politicians.
On the other hand, Trump's relationship with the truth is even more problematic. He cannot think clearly enough to distinguish truth from falsehood.
Thus if Trump is ever successfully put under oath he is bound to commit perjury. But is it really perjury if he doesn't understand truth from falsehood?
For such a person, being elected president is cruel and unusual punishment because he is incapable of acting in a way that is legal.
But this raises the question of why America elected a president who was incapable of distinguishing truth from falsehood.
America had two terrible choices. A liar or a person who lacked the intelligence to distinguish truth from falsehood.
Democracy is subject to self-destruction because of bad choices made in the primaries.
5
Channeling Sherlock Holmes. What is the missing topic in Part A? And what would Flynn likely know about it? Elementary my dear Watson: follow the money. Flynn knew about various schemes involving illegal sources and laundering of money as well as potential bribery and kick backs. Financial crimes usually involve the biggest document trails. What does the document formatting possibly suggest about topics that are missing? Formatting under Part B has two missing subtopics as indicated by the existence of a topic (i) and the following indentation and non- sentence structure. Sub topic one (i) in italics involves the transition team and its contacts. It follows that sub topic two (ii) is about the Trump campaign and Russia. What could sub topic three (iii) be about? Defrauding the American public through a criminal conspiracy between the two parties.What is the subject of Part C? Non-criminal conduct. This is an area not specified by the charges given to the special counsel but has been alluded to in subsequent media revelations and opinions of legal scholars. But additional grounds for impeachment. Now as to the rest...no more questions Watson!
4
I’d give a hundred Flynn’s a free ride in return for one Trump behind bars, or evicted from the people’s house.
36
To get the goods on a treasonous President, It's fine with me to let Flynn off. Donald should be happy about his old friend getting off. After all, isn't this how it all began.
12
If Trump can dangle pardons, so can Mueller. Let's see who bites.
27
Obviously, Michael Flynn finally showed some good judgement when he decided to cooperate with the Special Counsel. I agree with the recommendations of the Mueller team that he be given greatly reduced prison time for his service to the Republic, both in the military, and in the matter of Trump's collusion with a foreign hostile power and then lying about it. One final mystery, though, interests me. Why did Flynn, who was so critical of Obama for being soft on Russia, assist Trump in his undermining of US resolve against Putin's Russia?
34
Why? - as always, follow the money.
1
Takes little understanding of the course of the Mueller investigation to realize the redacted portions reserved until the final report appears. Also clear Flynn offered value to investigators early with candor. Much to his credit.
13
So, does this special counsel have the right to free any criminal, who confessed his crime to help the prosecutes to convicting a more dreaded criminal?
We do not know if Muller can ever be successful to catch the biggest fish. But in the process we are allowing the smaller ones, who are part of some of the same crimes, to evade justice. Is that legal?
6
He's not freeing him, he is merely recommending something to a judge. It is his opinion. Did you read the article?
6
I am surprised at how some readers here are so intently focused on Flynn's punishment. His punishment is an afterthought.
The important point to note is why the special counsel has recommended such leniency in Flynn's case: he sang like Aretha for Team Mueller!
24
@Jimmy James Not entirely an afterthought: It is unlikely that Donald Trump will spend any time behind bars. There is precedence: Nixon didn't. So, if anyone should go to jail, it should be some of his underlings who did his bidding. If the logic is "the boss can't go to jail, and neither can his underlings for telling what the boss did" then breaking the law at this level will effectively be something that can be done with impunity, and that is not acceptable.
So if the subordinates do not get jail time, them Mr. Trump should get it, but aiming for that outcome is extremely risky since pardoning of the president is, again based on historical precedence, a quite likely outcome.
So, by all means, the judge should show some leniency, but granting some time in a yellow jumpsuit would also be appropriate.
4
If Roger Stone is telling the truth, always difficult to tell, through his counsel, that he is innocent, what has he to fear from telling the truth?
And I hope in January, the new Judiciary Committee calls Stone before a public hearing to ask every question members want answered, and make him take the 5th on each one.
At least that way we get a full idea of what they believe he did or knows aired, and why.
16
@Eatoin Shrdlu - Taking the 5th tells me that he has something to hide.
8
@jsutton
Do you apply the same principle to, say, Lois Lerner? Not to mention the fellow who administered Hillary's mail server?
https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/09/02/former-clinton-aide-to-invoke-fifth-amendment-in-response-to-congressional-questions-over-private-email-server/
@HMI Yes.
According to the Wall Street Journal, 'Sentencing guidelines for someone like Mr. Flynn with no criminal history call for up to six months in prison on a charge of lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, but others who pleaded guilty to the same crime in the Mueller probe have received one month or less." So cooperating with the Muller team spared Flynn one two six months jail time.
5
Flynn led the chants of "Lock her up!" What's good for the goose is good for the gander. Lock him up!
24
I feel sick. No level of cooperation should leave Flynn with no jail time. He was a US General. He worked at the highest levels of our government. He should have been someone who set an example for others. He should have only endorsed the best politicians among us--or endorsed none. Instead he sed a con man, and with a General's endorsement, gave him credibility. he rmade our country look like a third rate dictatorship--leading chants of "lock her up" as though it were normal. None of this is normal.
143
@kj I know what you’re saying. All that and his joining the “lock her up” chant made me want to see him behind bars. But I have to trust Mueller, and I think he’s sending messages. One, thanks, Flynn, we got Dirty Don and about a half dozen others, thanks to you. And two, for those who cooperate, justice will be compassionate (Manafort,Stone, Corsi - are you watching?). And three, I think it’s patently clear that Fat Boy’s days in the WH are numbered.
25
Mueller’s call for little or no prison time for Flynn has strategic value by signaling other witnesses that cooperation in the pursuit of justice is in their best interests.
Trump similarly signals witnesses, like Manafort, that cooperation will be rewarded with a pardon, i.e., little or no prison time, but for Trump the goal is not the pursuit of justice but its obstruction.
A complicit witness weighing whether to count on Mueller’s word or the hope that Trump will act in any way at odds with what’s best for Trump. would seem to have an easy choice. Flynn was no fool.
59
Guess this was a "general" purpose memoranda. The General served his purpose, will face no "major" jail time, and pretty much everything remains "private."
6
A very interesting contrast. The Special Prosecutor rewards truth and co-operation. POTUS encourages obstructing and stonewalling the SP. POTUS praises witnesses who refuse to assist the SP. In Trumpland everything is upside down.
17
Wasn't it Flynn whose mantra referring to Hillary Clinton was
"LOCK HER UP!"?
13
"Dad, just to be on the safe side, can you give me a pardon tonight . . . please, Dad, please . . . ?
- Junior
13
A couple of things don’t sit right about this deal.
1) “Why Mr. Flynn chose to lie about his and Mr. Kislyak’s discussions remains a mystery to the F.B.I. officials who investigated the case.” Hm, a pretty big lie to still have wrangled a no prison deal, no?
Also... wasn’t this the sit-down where DT Jr was present? What an amazing coincidence.
2) What about LTG Flynn’s son, who was actively assisting him in his lobbying efforts? Much like the mafia style of DJT, his entourage of advisors/ abettors enlist their children to do a lot of the dirty work. Are we to believe that Michael Flynn Jr should be overlooked for his crimes (serving as his father’s toady and henchman?
3) Turkey- there’s more to the story as with anything tied to the Gülen ring. The NYT misses the biggest story here about the close ties shared between Gülen and Erdogan, before Erdogan catapulted to super-autocrat status. Gülen fled to the US where he’s received US protection and special status.
Meanwhile the alleged military coup of 2016, which by Erdogan’s account was the handiwork of Gülen and his deep state apparatus, leads to the purging of all “Gülenists” and a few more for good measure... i.e. all military academies closed, military personnel purged, judges and high profile journalists removed or jailed, etc.
The point is, Flynn was right that Gülen was shady but he was remiss to omit that Erdogan is his brother in arms and no better ally.
Court martial Flynn Dec 19.
9
“If I did a tenth of what she( Hilary) has done I’d be in jail today “ - Flynn during the 2016 campaign.
If I did a tenth of what he has done, I’d be in jail today. This is wrong. While I’m not a former military hero, and I didn’t assist In the Mueller investigation, I’d still deserve the same treatment under the law as General Flynn does.
Justice will not be served if Mr.Flynn doesn’t go to prison, at least for a symbolic, reduced time.
99
Part of any sentence should be the requirement that he complete an "apology tour," including a public abject apology to Hillary Clinton, 10 days of 5-minute paid announcements on Fox News confessing his felonies, and communicating his crimes to at least as many millions who heard his lies.
29
@SPPhil
That would definitely help.
And zero lucrative book deals.
17
It sounds as if Flynn has been very useful. On not just one, but 3 legal matters, all blacked out.
I wonder if one involves Jared Kushner--he and Flynn were cooking up a lot of things including a cockamamie secret channel to Russia.
on the other hand, it doesn't sound as if Robert Mueller and team are going to be ready to wrap up any time soon.
I just hope that doesn't give Whitaker time to do anything dire like firing Mueller for too much reacting!
43
Ok folks, feel free to blow off a little steam, but the game is winding down. Want to do something useful? Focus on the 2020 election.
16
This is good for the country. If Mueller had recommended jail time for Flynn it would have appeared draconian to a large segment of veterans, and Mueller knows that. Flynn said something that was false. But to suggest he lied is clearly questionable, and Comey has said so as well. Flynn has served this country for decades, and he deserved better treatment from Mueller. All in all this is a good outcome.
8
@AK
Why should Comey suddenly be a credible source when it comes to Flynn? A dutiful foot-soldier of the FBI yes, but a reliable judge of character no.
Flynn will have to pay the piper eventually and it will likely be through a court martial.
7
@AK He should know better. As a high ranking officer he should be hold to a higher standard. Some jail time should be sentenced, maybe 2 -3 weeks, it is symbolic but an important sign that no one is above the law.
26
Mueller is recommending Flynn not serve any jail time because of his assistance in investigation(s). Flynn lied to the FBI. Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. To claim Flynn simply made false statements to the FBI is to ignore reality.
11
Flynn sought to enrich himself with a business project to build Russian Nuclear power plants in the MidEast on the day of the Inauguration. He also accepted $500K from Turkey to extradite a Turkish dissident living in the US. He is a would-be political hack for foreign governments even as he was part of Trump's inner circle. LOCK HIM UP.
126
@-APR
Deport him to Russia.
3
I will be disappointed if he did not spend time in jail. There so many service members dismissed by court martial. He committed more serious offense, lying under oath and working with Russia.
69
Vote for change, elect dignity and honor not rich with hate.
Who could have guessed an army general, a famous lawyer, famous businessmen, political aides once the elites, they all made one mistake.... their sin was they got associated with DT, now they all are doomed and going to jail.
21
The General sang and it paid off for him. 45 should be very worried since Mueller, nor Comey, refused to "let Flynn go". On one hand, I'm glad Flynn sang hoping he told it all and on the other I really wish General Flynn and Papadopoulos got more time even though cooperative. I bet 45 is wishing about now he had listened to Obama about not hiring Flynn!
24
@Rose If Obama recommended that Trump not walk off a bridge what would he do?
3
— Trump thinks people who take a plea bargain “have no guts”.
— Trump has asked everyone but President Obama’s dog to “go easy on Mike Flynn”.
— Mueller recommends going easy on Flynn as a plea bargain for cooperation.
The irony here is incredible.
29
Does anyone believe that Michael Flynn is an honorable man? If he is what do you think is about to happen?
6
I can understand the outrage of many commentators re requesting leniency for a rather despicable individual. I get that, but personally will feel it is worth it if the House of Trump is burned to the ground.
123
We send people to jail for DUIs, lying to FBI should not carry a lesser punishment. It’s absurd that he can get a jail free card just because he was involved in many crimes for which he could offer cooperation.
38
Oh, the irony. Trump told Comey to "go easy" on Flynn for lying to the FBI.
8
Trump brought into the government, our government, his filthy conduct honed over many years of running a vast criminally corrupt organization. The Senate needs to pass a bill tolling the statute of limitations so ex presidents can be indicted.
5
It is lovely the the fever consuming Flynn broke and he came to his senses. Perhaps his spouse hit him over the head and said what have you done? Irregardless his actions contributed to the undermining of the rule of law during the campaign and transition and for that he needs to spend some time in prison. Lock Him Up!
12
He lied, they all lied, because they were sure there would be no consequences. Every fool who hitched his star to Trump's slime trail were sure he either couldn't win or could be tightly controlled if he did. The real wake up call for all of us is how much they would have flat out gotten away with, easily, if only things went a little differently.
18
I'm in agreement. However, it isn't over yet.
2
I recall a song....Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar?
The song was a loop. People were accused but nobody was ever held accountable. But somebody was guilty.
So (Mr. Special Prosecutor) who conspired to interfere in our Presidential election in 2016? Was it you Mr..Flynn? Was it you Mr.Cohen? Was it you Mr Manafort? Was it....? Was it you?
NOT YOU? Then who???
The American people have an absolute right to know.
5
If you cooperate, that means no jail time, if you are rich, or an athlete, a President, etc. Get out of jail free card! Is it any wonder why those who are poor believe they have no justice. It is sad that cooperating just makes people believe that they shouldn't receive a penalty, Is that what the legal system is about? If you just admit you lied, murdered, raped, drove drunk, and killed people, hacked into a computer system, identity theft, assault, domestic violence, armed robbery, administering deadly drugs, you serve no jail time? It is really that 30-40 million people, who should be in jail at any one time to both protect society from them, as most crime is habitual, and repetitive, not unlike these men, in this story about Trump, who had decades of nefarious behavior, Manfort, Cohen, Stone, Corsi, etc. Society can't afford to keep the most dangerous people in jail, as people don't want to pay the taxes, so we let out the Flynns of the world.
11
One of the more fascinating aspects of national Trumpsanity has been the QAnon cult and its plethora of devoted followers who "trust the plan" that the Mueller investigation only ever detained General Flynn because he was providing the hard evidence that would finally take Hillary down.
So congrats to the Qultists who may be soon earning their freedom as that little fantasy evaporates.
Let the veil be lifted.
Trump's the skunk.
18
It appears that Bob Muller's target is son-in-law. He better take a billion he accumulated in last two years and move to H0ly Land beore being getting indicted by Special Counsel.
15
President Pelosi anyone?
39
@Blue in Green*** very visionary
3
Before going easy on General Flynn, I hope the Judge will ask him whether he still believes Mrs. Clinton should be locked up. And if the answer is yes, I hope the Judge will lock him up,
208
@A. Stanton
And if he answers no, the judge should make Flynn take out a full page ad in the NYTimes, Washington Post and LATimes apologizing to Hillary Clinton and the American people.
8
It is my opinion that immediately following LTG(r) Flynn's upcoming judicial proceedings / sentencing that the Secretary of Defense immediately recall General Flynn to to stand for an Army 15-6 Investigation. The purpose of an AR 15-6 invesigation should determine whether General Flynn should face a Court Marshal for violating Article 133 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice; Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer and Gentleman. An "officer" is understood to include commissioned officers of both sexes. A gentleman is understood to have a duty to avoid dishonest acts, displays of indecency, lawlessness, dealing unfairly, indecorum, injustice, or acts of cruelty. LTG Flynn is in receipt of retired pay and benefits and is eligible for recall. LTG Flynn's admission of guilt substantiates his unbecoming behavior. It is not double jeapordy. He should be drummed out of the ranks.
210
Trump will face the choice of watching his children get locked up or resigning !
48
@New World
Yeah, Stalin is still in with the deep-swamp.
4
I’m glad Flynn cooperated with Mueller’s investigation. However, given his leading chants of “Lock her up!” at the Republican convention, his despicable behavior during the campaign, his acting as an unregistered foreign agent, and his son’s crimes, he needs to spend some time behind bars.
Then he’ll know what being locked up feels like.
980
exactly!
28
@Matt
I disagree. I'm not a Flynn's fan. I hated it when he was leading the "Lock her up! chant at the GOP convention but that was politic in the heat of a presidential campaign.
Mr Flynn has since became a government cooperator. I'm certain that faced with the evidences that Mueller showed him, Mr Flynn a man who has put his life on the line to serve this country has decided contrary to people like Manafort to tell the truth.
Sometimes it's important to look at the bigger picture. What's a life sentence of up to 5 years compared to the truth, truth that could let us know whether or not we have in the White House a man who is compromised by Russia.
Would you rather Flynn serves 5 years in jail? or
Would you rather see Flynn saves this country by telling the truth?
38
@Matt. Precisely! Whenever I heard him say that sentence, inciting the crowds to scream along with him, I felt viscerally ill.
48
A long time ago, people who were convicted of crimes went to prison. Maybe it didn't allow for so much harvesting of evidence against other criminals as this Flynn-style "cooperation," but it seems like a more equitable approach to the law.
112
Pinedo got six months, Papadopoulos got a laughable two weeks and some Dutch lawyer got a month in jail. Now it is recommended that Flynn get no jail time? Not sure what the point of all this is if these people are getting slapped on the wrist. Even if they provided information, they should still do at least a few years in prison after what they've done. For those thinking there are bigger fish to fry and fry they will, I'll believe that when I see it. It has already been said that there will be no indictment even if the evidence is there, so what is there? A barrel full of pardons waiting in the wings, that's what.
11
@ShirlWhirl There have been 33 indictments.
4
@ShirlWhirl What's waiting in the wings is impeachment.
4
I still think the 2017 elections were largely fraudulent and should be completely voided.
Alas, there is no mechanism for that.
Instead the silly, genuinely undemocratic electoral college even made the ongoing disaster possible.
15
So many vindictive, vengeful comments! Flynn and Cohen are a means to an end. I don't care if they go to jail or not. If they lead us to the truth about the corruption and possible treason of Trump and Pence, give them medals! If they implicate the rest of the family, especially Jared, give them more medals!
40
@Bob Bruce Anderson
Without knowing what the extent of the evidence is still pushing for a guilty verdict, are you? Too much time hanging out with Strzok, it seems.
@Alice's Restaurant
We are pushing for the truth. And that involves letting one of the most professional legal experts on Earth pursue his case unencumbered - unrestricted. Our patience will be rewarded as the building blocks are assembled.
As to a "guilty verdict" - not my job. But Donald J Trump IS GUILTY of cozying up to Putin - Helsinki was beyond embarrassing. And Trump IS GUILTY of ignoring his intelligence agencies on many subjects that are uncomfortable for him.
And now, a resident journalist of the United States of America is murdered at the instructions of a despot and we get "maybe he did, maybe he didn't...we'll have to see" - despite the CIA clearly providing evidence that MLB orchestrated the dismemberment.
We don't have evidence that Trumps business interests have compromised his judgement. But we do know that he is forfeiting America's moral standing on a daily basis.
How can any loyal American stand by Trump while he sides with murderous dictators over his own highly skilled, hard working American civil servants? This is not patriotism. This is betrayal.
2
“Mr. Stone’s lawyer, Grant J. Smith, said the committee’s request was “overbroad” and stressed that Mr. Stone was “an innocent citizen who denounces secrecy.””
Yeah, he denounces secrecy so much that he pleads the Fifth.
42
President Barack Obama warned Trump not to hire Flynn as the NSA.
Obama was well aware of Flynn's nefarious deeds.
In textbook Trumpian fashion, Trump decides to pull an "in your face move" and quickly hires Flynn.
This entire Trump presidency is one self-inflicted wound after another.
88
So, if Trump and his family are innocent of collusion or obstruction, they are very relieved for their old pal Flynn.
8
As a felon and someone who acted against the best interests of his own nation, will Flynn have to forgo his cushy pension and huge benefits?
No, of course not! That sort of accountability is only for the grunts and "little people"!
40
@NYer I agree, and it's an especially bitter pill to swallow because his pension and benefits are the result of his military service, where he took an oath to defend the constitution. That makes his crimes worse than Cohen's, as far as damaging the US. He should receive a dishonorable discharge, retroactive. If McCabe was fired for "lacking candor" and lost all of his pension and benefits, that's the least that Flynn should forfeit.
12
Here in America, you can get all the justice you can afford. In many countries you can't even get that unless you're on the dictator's good side.
3
Great Article. I suggest folks read the 3rd suggested article below regarding how the FBI investigation began.
2
@BG
I'm still waiting for Hoover to come clean with his spying on the Kennedys. Talk about a trusted institution.
The entire concept of lying to the federal government as a crime is seriously flawed. Heck they lie to us all the time. It is one thing to be in a court with a judge and an oath to tell the truth; it is something quite different to speak in a much less formal situation.
6
@Robert M. Stanton
The 5th Amendment is available to them.
1
Mr. Flynn had 19 interviews with Mr. Mueller and his information, including documents, is deemed so valuable that minimal if any imprisonment is recommended.
His cooperation is a major contrast with the Manafort double-dealing. There is an object lesson here for Trump abetters.
The way the Republican Congress has dealt with the Russian investigation must have pleased Putin mightily. The GOP attacked all the top FBI counterintelligence officials and forced them out of law enforcement.
Disgraceful Republicans. Disgraceful Trump and collaborationists. I don't know what to think about Michael Flynn but I do appreciate his cooperation if he will bring justice to Putin's puppet.
42
@smb
Mueller has not said why Flynn lied but you can bet he knows why. And the reason could be to hide Trumps dealings with Russia over Trump Tower.
4
@smb
Where is the House Un-American Activities Committee now that we really need it?
4
The benefit of cooperating to an important investigation is noted. The 'but' happens when the criminal is so obviously of poor character that the lack of remorse must weigh in. I note others in these comments point out the stain on our political system by a military officer leading a mob in 'lock her up' chants. Not just a cheer to investigate an opponent but to dispense with all due process and send someone to jail, while attempting to enrich himself. He is way too bad to get a great deal, just a slightly better deal.
465
@Hank There are military officers in countries around the world who act like - and are - unaccountable thugs, above the law. How many of their victims and victims' families would see inspiration should a 3-star US general face prison time for his crimes, even if the sentence is merely symbolic.
For a moment, and for some, we might just become the shining beacon on hill again. At the very least, we can separate ourselves from the military dictatorships. We can send our allies a message that we haven't completely abandoned our values. Rule of law still matters here.
18
Watched the documentary on Sandra Bland last night. She was jailed in Texas for failing to use a turn signal (and died as a result). Flynn commits crimes against our democracy and gets “little or no jail time.” I am disgusted.
218
@MG It's so far from fair that it's hard to accept. Of course Sandra Bland's death was a travesty. We also have the recent examples of two people who were allowed to vote -- one a green card holder, one a former felon -- and were afterwards sentenced to YEARS in prison. All people of color. Meanwhile we have officials in NC and GA outright subverting our elections. So far, no one's been arrested.
26
Trump financial empire is going to start to crumble after the paper trail shows his involvement with Putin and his deputized thugs and of course, the robed savage, the Saudi prince.
Americans banks will not lend him a dime, and the Russians and Saudi banks' financing will dry up because of the investigations.
The feds, including the IRS, are coming to seize his assets and bank accounts.
The Rubber Stamp Congress will not be able to bail him out of this one, and the FBI and other federal agencies aren't happy with Trump's harsh criticism of them.
51
@Raul Hernandez The crazy thing is that Trump hasn't been allowed to do business with American banks for a long time. Just another flaming red flag ignored by those who voted for him. He was able to get money from Deutschebank, which was recently raided.
The GOP will never live down their avidity in bedding down with this criminal and his cohorts. I believe we'll learn that Congress is riddled with compromised members who couldn't bust trump without giving away their own criminality.
6
"Prosecutors said Mr. Flynn’s more than 33 years of military service — he was a three-star Army general before being fired as the head of the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2014 — should be taken into account when Judge Emmet G. Sullivan of the Federal District Court in the District of Columbia sentences him on Dec. 18."
For this very reason he deserves to have the book thrown at him. He knew better than most what his actions entailed, and the jeopardy into which he had placed his country.
181
@Sphragis
I agree. These mere hand slaps are outrageous! It appears that crime actually does pay!
Remember, NO ONE WENT TO JAIL after the banking system caused the economic collapse in '08.
There were clear identifiable criminal acts but no one was charged. I do blame Obama for this.
So our banks are STILL too big to fail and all those banking and rating agency criminals all got outrageously richer.
4
@JM
Yes JM, and watch the market, the banks, the debt right now, as a result of this so called “administration”, ....so here we go again! Wonder, will we dig out of the next one... seems no one can remember how close that last bullet was. As for Obama, yes there was a massive look-away... left and right, all owned.
2
I don't know if anyone ever looked up Flynn's reputation before this all started but those who worked for him said he lied frequently. When he said anything, they called them "Flynn Facts."
43
A good and honorable former President will be eulogized tomorrow, with much ceremony and many cameras following the service. trump will attend and will be sitting alongside four more former Presidents, each of whom is well aware of the Flynn news. It will be interesting to watch trump sitting for 1-2 hours with no escape, probably terror-stricken, and listening to many people praising someone other than himself.
46
Troubling part of this release on Flynn documents is that Whitaker can read the un-redacted parts of them and pass on to Trump attorneys. Democrats in the House come January need to find out if this happened and reveal to the public and if he did he should be removed from his position. This is like a mob boss getting sealed grand jury records on his case from the district attorney who is in his pocket.
37
Assuming The Mueller Team hasn’t banded together to keep Patented Whitaker out of the paper flow, something they have a legitimate reason to do, since he’s already announced his intentions to destroy their ability to do anything.
I wonder if Whitaker had any NY clients the NY AG can file suit for?
2
@Eatoin Shrdlu Yes but the bottom line is Whitaker is the boss and if he wants access he will get it. Public outrage is the only weapon available as Rudy is fighting in the court of public opinion so must the dems.
3
@REBCO
Has it been absolutely proved Whitaker has no integrity or is that a fear?
Please add to this article that Mr. Flynn is a retired United States Army Lt. General.
I feel that leaving that out of this friendly article, prevents a fuller understanding of Flynn’s actions against American interests in pursuit of money.
51
I am still awed at the depth and extent of the corruption to get Donald Trump more money. Michael Flynn is a 3 star general who served with honor, cooperated with a hostile foreign power and acted as an agent of that power to affect foreign policy, even as he was the National Security Director of the United States. Unbelievable!!
Our politicians and government officials are so easy to corrupt. Just wave money at them.
42
@Mark Let's not generalize to all politicians. Over and over again, it's "law and order" Republicans selling us out, subverting elections and democracy more generally, and covering for one another.
12
I remember Flynn starting the “lock her up” chant.
I wish the same for him.
399
@S F A Great point.
11
"Prosecutors did not charge Mr. Flynn with crimes related to his work on behalf of the Turkish government."
This is the sort of ambiguous writing the Times has come to do more and more, and it drives me nuts.
What does this mean? That there were no crimes to charge Flynn with--he didn't do anything illegal?
Or he did things that were illegal and the prosecutors decided not to charge him?
These kinds of ambiguous meanings crop up especially on anything to do with Washington, Trump, the Clintons, and a host of other issues that generally generate knee jerk responses by Times readers.
This writing allows readers to assume Flynn committed crimes (aside from lying) even if that's not the case. It supports the "Trump bump."
But this kind of writing also generates the mass distrust in the media that we see today.
13
@Talbot, they drop all the charges but lying to the FBI as part of the Plea deal.
7
@Talbot: Read the article, re "evidence of false statements and omissions" re his lobbying work. You need more? I am one of the masses. I do not distrust the media when they report plain fact.
12
I'm not sure what you mean because it says in the first paragraph that prosecutors are recommending he receive little to no jail time for lying to federal agents. That is the crime with which he has been charged and the Times stated so clearly in the opening of this story.
5
Food for thought - what if Flynn *never* lied to VP Pence? I would not be surprised if Pence has some culpability in this scenario - and the cover story may be another falsehood to paint a picture...
258
@Casey
I think this is right on and I have thought it from the beginning. Pence was in charge of the transition after they got rid of Chris Christie. He was briefed about Flynn's being compromised. He recommended that Flynn be hired after being briefed. This was, I think you are right, a cover story to protect Flynn. Let's see what Mr. Mueller does here. The Repubs may be sorry that the next in line to the President will be Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, not Pence, when Trump resigns in a deal to grant him post-Presidency immunity.
97
@Casey
Acting President Pelosi will be the cherry on top of the GOP's humble pie.
63
@Casey
Say it---President Pelosi!!!
29
Let's not forget, when assessing Flynn's "conversion" cooperation, that his namesake also lied to investigators, and faces sentencing down the road.
22
Why Mueller and his team continue to receive accolades as being crack prosecutors with an actual plan is a mystery to real prosecutors. Prosecutors who are actually interested in convicting the head of a criminal conspiracy do not destroy the credibility of the lower level co-conspirators by charging or convicting them for perjury or lying to Congress or the FBI. No competent prosecutor discredits the very witnesses that the prosecutor needs to convict the target defendants. The longer that this investigation drags on and the more meaningless guilty pleas that are entered (a 14 day sentence for one defendant and now no jail time for Flynn) the more likely it appears that this investigation is uncovering little that will implicate Trump. Manafort and Cohen are already two of the least credible witnesses ever and are not going to be of any value in convicting Trump of anything. Stone and Corsi are making the Mueller team look like extortionists. The alleged Russian agents that Mueller indicted who will never face trial and never cooperate with the special counsel simply adds to the impression that this investigation is more show than substance.
45
@John Q. Public The more the "win" column is made up of people charged with lying about doing something that wasn't illegal to begin with, the more this will look like show vs substance.
9
@John Q. Public
I do not believe we should underestimate Robert Mueller. Just because the results of his investigations have not satisfied our curiosity, lets not assume that this is just a series of minor offenses with limited punishments.
We are peeling back an onion. Be patient, little grass hopper. This is the tip of a very large iceberg and the ship of state is about to collide with it.
65
@John Q. Public I agree with your view. Regardless of what the Mueller strategy is I believe it will fail. He simply took too long.
6
It’s especially sad to witness a 3-star General Officer debase himself in the cause of tawdry politics on behalf of a man who deserves no sacrifice or loyalty.
273
@Robert Richardson ... he did little or nothing for Trump. He was essentially a bag man for the Turkish president Erdogan.
9
Oliver North was another one. He and Reagan were knee deep in selling arms to Iran for $$ to fight communism in Nicaragua.
8
@Charlie Fieselman
Nah. North wasn't in cahoots with an old B-movie actor that had Alzheimer's but could still read a script. The vice-president, however, who had been director of the CIA and made deals with Noriega and others in central America . . . . but, then, we can't speak ill of the dead, can we?
7
The irony is that Trump seems to have gotten his wish: He asked Comey to let Flynn go, and Mueller pretty much is doing so. I wonder how much Trump is enjoying having his wish fulfilled right now.
26
I’d recommend you think a little deeper about what this leniency as a result of cooperation implies. Trump certainly should
2
@Robert E. Malchman I don't think you are getting it. Trump wanted Comey to let Flynn go before he was questioned and spilled some beans. T. could not care less if Flynn gets time or not, T. cares only for himself, and saving his own skin.
7
I have never bought into the explanation that Flynn was fired for lying to Mike Pence. Instead, Pence was copied in on everything Russia related from the get-go. If Flynn did tell Pence he had not been in contact with the Russians, it was, no more, no less, than kabuki theater.
Flynn was Trump's first sacrificial goat.
176
@Glen And this must circle back to the reason Manafort coerced Trump into choosing Pence.
15
@Glen
Pence iis guilty as sin.
3
"Little or no jail time" ? So after firing Comey, Yates and Sessions, someone is finally "going easy" on Micheal Flynn. Seems we've come full circle.
7
General Flynn served his country for many years but it also appears he was determined to cash in on that service by being useful to the Russians - which was allowed in the Trump campaign and apparently in the Trump administration.
While in & just outside of serving in the highest reaches of our govt - National Security Advisor! - Mike Flynn was for sale. Paid $30,000 as a private citizen to have dinner with Putin! We still don't know if or how much future Green Party candidate Jill Stein was paid to be at the same dinner table with Putin & Flynn.
Jill Stein's candidacy was instrumental in Hillary Clinton's defeat. It doesn't appear anything's been done to see what Stein was doing at Putin's table. Who invited Jill Stein to have dinner with Putin - & then >bang< she becomes a 3rd party candidate for president who appeals to Hillary's constituency. Was she paid to eat dinner with Putin? Mike Flynn was paid $30,000 to sit at that table.
Restrictions should be in place disallowing lobbying & profiteering for former military/govt employees for 3-5 yrs after leaving a position, so people don't look like they're selling access/information.
This administration is shockingly dirty!
Flynn is to be commended for eventually assisting the investigation & apparently providing invaluable help.
Requests that Flynn - & possibly Mike Cohen - not receive jail time - indicate Mueller was never after them.
I hope whoever Mueller's primary target is will be indicted & locked up.
93
@fast/furious Agree with you, except for one point: It was primarily the Electoral College that defeated Hillary, and the perennial presidential candidate Jill Stein didn't help.
1
As a mother, grandmother, I find it so -- honestly -- depressing that these criminals take *forever* to decide to protect their children. Am I alone at wondering why their behavior wouldn't be worthy of those children in the first place? My head is shaking.
9
The first one in gets the best deal if they cooperate fully and their cooperation is helpful to the special counsel. A great deal for Flynn and a lesson for others who have sworn to protect Donald Trump at all costs. Those individuals should ask themselves tonight, am I better off coming clean and throwing in my lot with Robert Mueller than counting on an uncertain presidential pardon. The answer is fairly obvious.
54
"Mr. Stone’s lawyer, Grant J. Smith, said the committee’s request was “overbroad” and stressed that Mr. Stone was 'an innocent citizen who denounces secrecy.'”
That is quite a statement about someone with Stone's history while asserting a Fifth Amendment privilege. Denounces secrecy? How much does Mr. Smith charge for his lawyerly ability to keep a straight face?
48
So Roger Stone is against secrecy (no doubt because Richard Nixon has his back).
14
He's a "key cooperator" for what?
A nonsense investigation against a politically-incorrect president?
A vanity special prosecution led by an old and tired anti-Trump "Republican?"
A brave man who attempted to protect his beloved son from a and politically-inspired prosecution?
Or just a tired old general who finally folded in the face of adversity?
In any case, Flynn is now the new American Tragedy.
And the man who will now embody government overreach and American political treachery.
3
@Rolf
I'm glad that you tried to make your points as rhetorical questions, because they'd look even sillier if you asserted them as facts.
And maybe the fact that your last paragraph is an incomplete sentence fragment demonstrates that even you gave up on your own nonsensical ideas mid-sentence?
10
@Rolf, Flynn is a collaborator with enemies of the United States and should face courts-martial for conduct unbecoming to an officer. He doesn’t deserve taxpayer-funded benefits and he is an insult to my father and uncles who served with honor and bravery in WWII, one of whom sacrificed his life.
Flynn is not fit to wear his uniform, like the president he serves is not fit for his office.
5
Does "Individual 1" realize it's almost over now?
80
@Blue in Green
Trump loves it!
He thinks that being "individual 1" means he's #1, the BEST!
1
It is not fair rich and powerful always get away, it's time justice should be for all.
Small fish are caught what about......? when....?
11
But FBI investigators still don't know why Flynn lied about his meeting with Kislyak ? Do they mean the first set of investigators didn't know, but Mr. Mueller does, and he'll be telling us soon that it's such small potatoes as to be inconsequential in light of the trove of important information Flynn provided ?
Whatever comes next, I don't think we're going to hear a similar request for leniency in the sentencing of a few other players in this sad chapter of our governance...but it's too bad the net isn't wide enough to contain all the treasonous enablers in the House & Senate who have made it all possible !
38
Michael Flynn rose through the military, following orders. I would imagine that during his tenure with the Trump campaign, he was doing just that. Who was giving the orders? I would imagine that in his 19 meetings with Mueller, General Flynn was able to shed a great deal of light on that.
48
@NJLatelifemom Perhaps, but let's not forget how he was lining his own pockets by doing illegal work for Turkey, including a plan to kidnap a US resident. They say trump cottons to people who share his propensity for lying and overlooking the lies of their superiors. Flynn is not *only* a patsy for trump.
2
I wish our POTUS had one tenth the integrity of Mr. Mueller. The fact that there have been no leaks indicates to me that Mueller's team respects him and his mission. Do your job. We will see where it leads in due time. Many will be watching...
75
"Prosecutors did not charge Mr. Flynn with crimes related to his work on behalf of the Turkish government."
Did Mr Flynn commit crimes?
I've been a staunch supporter of the Mueller investigation, and continue to be so.
But it's getting harder to read about people doing things that were seemingly not illegal, and facing possible prison time. I understand that lying to the feds is what generated the prison time. But truthfully, this is beginning to feel endless.
7
@Talbot, Simply because Flynn hasn't been charged with a particular crime yet (beyond lying to DOJ) doesn't mean that he might never be charged. As with Manafort, Mueller could easily charge Flynn with other criminal violations, should Flynn renege, provide false information to Mueller, etc. The one charge, at this point, is simply a charge bargain.
4
He should get a reduced sentence, maybe 5-10 years, not be let off free. But they should also seize any assets he gained, plus a penalty, through illegal activities he participated in.
28
I believe that the sentence he faces under the associated charges is zero (0)-to-six (6) months.
1
While issuing a highly redacted memo, Mueller reveals how powerful Flynn's cooperation has been starting right after Trump's inauguration, even though we do not know what he conveyed. I have great faith that Mueller is proceeding in the best possible way to get to the heart of who committed what crimes.
Is this the real draining of the swamp? Is Flynn being so cooperative to save his son? All of the above and more.
8
I understand why Flynn got off easy (probably sang like a canary), but at the same time it just shows justice is different for the powerful and not so powerful. I feel like depending on Mueller to take down Trump is winning the battle and not the war. That’s why it’s important to keep voting, watching, and supporting good journalism - so criminals have fewer cards to play and get more justice.
148
I believe he cooperated not to get a sweet deal, but to honor his past Military Service. I hope so. But nonetheless, he's helped to get the REAL
Criminals. Enjoy your Holidays, Trumps. It just may be your last outside the Big House, for years. Stay healthy, Mr. Mueller. You are our last, best Hope. Seriously.
154
How ironic. Flynn may just turn out to be the best thing for our national security going forward. Thank you for your service.
4
Some important facts not mentioned in this article: Trump didn't immediately fire Flynn after learning he lied to the FBI about discussing with Kislyak lifting the sanctions imposed on the Russians for interfering in the 2016 election. Only after Sally Yates made a big issue of it did Trump grudgingly fire Flynn. Then he fired Yates to punish her for making it necessary for him to fire Flynn, and he has been vilifying her ever since.
Trump's behavior has been incredibly odd and suspicious from the get-go. He has acted consistently like a guilty man hiding secrets.
327
@Carson Drew from River Heights: maybe Nancy could uncover those secrets?
1
The most surprising information here to me, is the amount of investigations Flynn has helped prosecutors with and how completely he went from supporting our 'so-called' president to giving lengthy counsel and information to those investigating him and his administration. Yet, I remember thinking how could someone with the record of service that he had be so taken with Trump to begin with.
8
@GraceNeeded I wonder too. It is said that the Russians are excellent at starting relationships with key people that seem harmless but one day the target realizes they have been compromised and unwittingly aiding the Kremlin. Then they go down the rabbit hole. Given Flynn’s service, I am open to the idea that this happened to him.
4
Since presidential transition teams are authorized to contact representatives of foreign governments, Michale Flynn’s conversations with the Russian ambassador did not violate the Logan Act. (No one has ever been convicted of violating the Logan Act, which was enacted in 1799, and never one ever will be convicted because it is widely consider unconstitutional.) Asking the Russians not to overreact to sanctions or not to oppose U.S. UN resolutions did not harm the United States. So Flynn’s offense was telling FBI agents he did not discuss sanctions. If he had told the agents he did discuss sanctions with the Russian ambassador, there would have been no charges against him.
So far, no members of the Trump campaign has been indicted for unlawful collusion with Russia, anything they did as a member of the Trump campaign, or anything they did during the 2016 election campaign.
3
“So far,” - very important words. You are drawing/implying conclusions about a book’s ending without reading past the introduction. It’s time to get the popcorn ready.
7
@William Case I agree, Flynn violating the Logan Act was inconsequential but lying about it is not. Same with K.T. McFarland. However, the looming question is why would they lie about doing something legally inconsequential? There must be a reason and it is unlikely good.
8
So far........
3
So I read the attached Stone letter. As I get he wanted his earlier testimony to be public. Not he claims parts of it were not leaked accurately. Instead of asking for a public hearing and or releasing what ever he is asked, publicly he claims it may incriminate him. SURE.
5
Hmmm....this doesn't seem to fit with the "Angry Dems" we have heard about so much lately. It also seems out of alignment with the characterization of Mueller as not interested in the truth. Plus, for conducting a supposed witch hunt, you would think Mueller would want Flynn burned at the stake.
What must his brilliant gut be telling our president tonight?
Pleasant dreams, Donald. Pleasant dreams.
160
Okay... get ready for the tweet storm! Trump will certainly call him weak, a traitor, never a good general,...and so on.
Our president is slowly unraveling and his whole family is probably on edge. Working conditions in the White House are going to get even more weird. I guess the only people there who may avoid Trump’s tantrums will be the Secret Service and housekeeping staff.
32
“Substantial assistance”, “on-going investigations”....words that may cause cold sweat, heart burn, panic, and nightmares. Mr. Mueller holds his cards close to his chest. But I can bet one thing ....he doesn’t bluff.
82
Trump said that “Flynn is a wonderful man”. It’s too bad that Mueller has agreed with his opinion and did not jail him for talking to that Russian.
3
I'd be happy if his sentence was an overnight stay in some comfortable jail as an appropriate reward for hypocrisy. Or, to put it succinctly, 'lock him up'.
11
Those redactions are bad news for Trump. All that black ink is pointing to a target above Flynn in the investigation, and that is probably Trump and his family. The Mueller train rolls on with the force of inevitability. Let's see how Trump reacts to this and to the Manafort filing on Friday. It should be epic....
18
As Barbara McQuade put it tonight, “ Someone higher on the food chain is in big trouble.”
5
This is very good for the American people, but very, very bad if your last name is Trump.
27
To me, what sets Flynn and Cohen apart from Stone et. al., is that the latter bunch are scofflaws to their core. Their leader is the scofflaw of legend. Originally, a scofflaw meant someone who drank during Prohibition, but Trump and Co. have utterly redefined the term. Maybe Urban Dictionary should reserve the word “trump” to mean a supreme scofflaw.
12
I'm not sure what to make of this....
- On the one hand, it sends a message to other indictees that if you cooperate with Mueller and give him truthful (and useful) info, he will reward you with arguing for leniency.
- On the other hand, Trumpistas might pounce on this and scream: "All that drama for this big nothingburger! See, this is proof that Mueller has nothing, and there was no collusion!" (Of course that's not necessarily true; but truth never gets in the way of Trumpistas creating a false narrative.)
- It's good to know that Flynn sat for 19 interviews. If he didn't have any useful info, there probably wouldn't have been so many. But precisely what info he had/shared, we still don't know.
- We might learn (by divination) from Trump's reaction to this new development about how nervous it makes him. Let's hope that it makes him so nervous that he squirms.
Please Mr. Mueller, we're all sitting here in antici........
12
No suggested prison time for Flynn. Now that’s cooperation!
Donald Trump saluted when he passed before President H.W. Bush today. Trump looked totally out of place. Why did he salute? Melania looked confused and as usual, very out of place, as in a hurry to get out - fast.
Trump must be internally going more crazy than usual. He must be ready to implode. He also must think his salutes are part of a redemption of sorts that Trump wants and seeks. We want to just shout “Donald Trump - you’ve never been presidential. You’ve never been anything but a liar and cheater and dishonest. And furthermore, being so outlandishly inappropriate for the job, the role of presidency for the United States - how dare you salute to someone of honor lying in his casket in our country’s rotunda!”
16
Zero months? Are you kidding--LOCK HIM UP! LOCK HIM UP! LOCK HIM UP!
17
When the top man in the US, tries to protect a rich killer prince, refuses to show any respect when an American Icon John McCain dies, never criticizes Putin's crimes, but lashes out at Mueller investigation to unveil the truth and disrespects patriots of this nation, and still is loved by 30 percent of the US voters then it is not DT, but those who elect him at fault.
383
@Hope786, I imagine it’s the same 30% who still thought Richard Nixon had done nothing wrong on August 10, 1974.
16
@Hope786 What scares the pants off me is that this nation still believes he can win reelection. It isn't the popular vote that will give it to him. It is the antiquated Electoral College. That needs to go. This isn't the 1700s anymore. We need to make some positive changes relative to the present day. Yeah. I know it is a dirty word to Cons to say progressive but by not making change, look what we are stuck in. Division between wisdom and ignorance.
4
Trump: "...my gut tells me more sometimes than anybody else’s brain can ever tell me.”
My gut tells me if you would have absorbed what Sally Yates told you regarding Flynn you might not be neck deep in the swamp. Brilliantly, you fired her. Enjoy your gut.
104
@cretino And remember, it was Obama who fired Flynn months before failing to persuade Trump not to re-hire him. Trump knows best, though.
15
Thank you for your military service.
Mr......... Mueller!
78
He'll spend the rest of his life in a cell.
The guidelines apply to specific softball charges. He can still be charged in the future and the Dept of Defense is still investigating him.
But it's wonderful that he has given Mueller's team so much first hand information. He had to in order to warrant this recommendation.
Side note. I wonder what Trump's legal bills are looking like these days?
9
@Passion Pup: Trump doesn't pay his legal bills. He has a well-known history of stiffing his attorneys. That's a major reason he has so much trouble getting respectable lawyers to represent him and often ends up represented by the dregs of the profession.
This habit of not paying what he owes has also led to Trump's being unable to borrow money from reputable banks in the U.S. It has led to his involvement with shady Russian banks and may finally be his undoing.
12
#LOCKHIMUP
21
A hero of the resistance.
5
So the purpose of the “redacted portions” of the Flynn plea agreement is to prevent compromise of on going sensitive investigations I.e. to not give the bad guys a heads up.
So Mueller’s boss is a Trumpo sycophant and one of the bad guys.
What’s to prevent him from requesting an “unredacted” version from Mueller and then distributing same to Trumpo and other bad guys higher up the food chain than Flynn?
Nothing.
So much for redaction.
18
@winthropo muchacho
The obstruction of justice statute.
3
@winthropo muchacho
I’m confident Mueller and his team anticipated this likelihood when they heavily redacted the filed documents. They consistently, and marvelously, operate one step ahead of Trumpo and his “team!”
5
@winthropo muchacho
Sometimes you have to do what you can with what you have available to you, even if it is ultimately futile.
2
General Flynn is now a convicted felon.
I appreciate that he agreed to work with the special counsel office, but hope that he never gets another security clearance.
I am guessing that the overwhelming evidence and the chances of a long prison term might have convinced him to not want to be ‘locked up’.
As someone out on the street, I still am confused about this cast of characters with such a great facility for lying.
Anything for power?
Anything for wealth?
What about service?
What has happened to these folks?
241
@Dodger Fan
The people enjoy a complete vacuum where normal people have a conscience.
9
Despite the heavily redacted document, there are a number of clues here, as to how Mr. Mueller is proceeding.
First, because he is not urging prison time for Flynn, this allows him to keep his cards close to the vest. He didn't need to provide any substantive information that might have supported prison time.
Next, Mr. Mueller references "other members" of Trump's team, both during the campaign and the transition. It is a virtual certainty that these members are in prosecutors' cross-hairs now. And at this point, given the information that was offered this evening, the most likely candidates are Jared Kushner, Trump's children, possibly Pence, and Trump himself.
As someone who practiced law for more than 35 years (including a fair amount of trial work), what struck me was the paucity of information that Mr. Mueller chose to make public here. Given Manafort's reneging on his cooperation agreement, Mr. Mueller has been careful to try not to provide any further opportunities to Trump for witness tampering and other criminal acts.
But this memorandum also tells me that Mr. Mueller is far from done with this investigation. Clearly a number of individuals are awaiting indictment. My concern, then, at this point, is the clock. It is a virtual certainty that Trump will direct Whitaker to shut down this investigation. And the Kavanaugh "Beer Bong" court might well uphold Trump's decision, in a tortured description of "executive privilege." Time is now literally of the essence.
1045
@Donegal
These are good points. One might also add that Flynn's generous reward for compliance with his plea deal is being offered up for comparison with Manafort's harsh treatment in response to his failure to cooperate. A simple message is being sent to those cooperating witnesses still being interviewed by Mueller as well as those yet undecided and sitting on the fence. It's a nakedly Pavlovian approach, but it should work. For the most part Mueller seems to be dealing with people whose decisions are made on a rather visceral level.
98
@Donegal
There’s no more reason today to fear a shutdown of the investigation as there was yesterday. Trump hasn’t shut it down already because McConnell and Graham, no matter how much they look like lapdogs of the president, have most likely warned him privately that short-circuiting the investigation would be grounds for impeachment. Mueller is well-respected on both sides of the aisle and he is being given the time to see this investigation through to the end. If the evidence of collusion is overwhelming, I do think McConnell, with Pelosi, will suggest to Trump that he resign.
90
@AlNewman
It will be prison time for Jr and Ivanka that will force Trump to resign. Trump doesn't care about Jared. "In-law" is not family.
72
The so called witch hunt has turned into a top notch investigation with prolonged and pertinent results along the way.
The evidence is mounting against the president’s favor. The way this is unfolding, the doubt that Trump actually colluded with the Russians in the 2016 election is quickly fading away.
If Mueller is able to prove collusion, it will be put upon this Congress to deal with that ramification.
152
@Greg Nowell: And the GOP will still bury their collective heads in the sand.
23
@WeeJay hopefully it will be out in the open for all of us to see. Come January no more GOP lead distractions. Just pray the dems don’t shove their heads in the sand and say they want to work with this guy. Pelosi better stand up or step aside!
12
@Greg Nowell
The GOP will be nailing their own coffins shut if they ignore concrete evidence of Conspiracy, Obstruction of Justice, Tax Fraud and/or Money Laundering.
4
Why he chose to lie remains a mystery?
No, it doesn't. He's a Trump supporter. That's what they do
326
Flynn PROBABLY lied to cover up a very big crime.
5
If Trump gets any sleep tonight — or any subsequent night in his rapidly crumbling administration — it will be a miracle. Flynn’s level of cooperation should make Trump extremely distressed. “Only the best people, folks.” Trump can credit one of these “best people” with his ultimate and imminent demise.
322
@H. Clark
I don't think Trump has been sleeping well. Did you see his "performance" at the G-20? An embarrassment to the nation.
10
Maybe Flynn told Mueller who directed him to get in touch w the Russians and talk about sanctions.
Now wouldn’t that b interesting to know.
74
Looks like Mr. Flynn followed Melania’s advice: Be Best!
80
"Jared, Mr. Mueller will see you now."
559
All boys as cooperative as Michael Flynn, though once very bad boys, deserve favor, since they bring us that much closer to bringing down the worst boy of all.
Roger Stone is a fool for not becoming a cooperative boy; I predict that he will receive the disfavor that he appears to richly deserve.
212
@Larry Hedrick
Just look at Roger Stone.
His very appearance screams "I Want Attention!"
He may be a fool but he's getting the attention
he so badly craves.
5
Prediction: KT McFarland flips by the end of the week.
54
Interesting!
2
In Trump's parlance Flynn is a rat.
28
@John F. Harrington I thought he was a "good guy." Isn't that what Trump told Comey?
7
Recompense for a song well sung.
Trump is going to get far more uptight and irrational as Mueller tightens the screws...
---
Things Trump Did While You Weren’t Looking https://wp.me/p2KJ3H-2ZW
36
An military general should have never destroyed his reputation by getting in dirty politics.
All the DT, associates are in trouble slowly but surely, what's next? Media is hinting now his family is in focus of the investigation, Don Jr,. can be in hot waters.
73
@Hope786
Just to be clear, the problem wasnt that Flynn got involved in politics. The problem was that he is a criminal.
76
In Stone's case, can he invoke the Fifth Amendment Rights for his whole testimony?
I wonder if he were to appear and be asked the question about what day it was, or what his job title was, or his address, that those factual and known pieces of information would not be subject to him claiming the Fifth Amendment rights, only certain questions that were asked perhaps?
I'm thinking that if you were to claim the Fifth Amendment, for things that aren't in any possible way going to incriminate him, that him doing so would be violating thee principle behind the 5th?
7
@reid No. Freedom of speech includes the right to not speak. The Miranda warning makes this clear: "You have the right to remain silent."
4
Not sure, but refusing to answer questions such has what the day is or one's name could be seen as obstruction or refusal to coöperate with the court. That could possibly be a basis for a contempt charge.