This is nothing more than an attempt to satisfy those who refuse to believe Hilary Clinton lost the election fair and square! Even if the investigation were to reveal Putin actually voted in the election it would not cause Clinton to become president! There is nothing in our constitution (or any other constitution) that would cause Mrs. Clinton to become president. NOTHING! Let it go!
5
In any deal with the retired general, at least SOME token jail time should be mandatory. He should get more than a token term, but he will not. After all, he is still one of #45's boys - and they do not send each other to jail. Considering all the money he got from the Russians (And Russians via Turkey) he had hired a first-class legal team. Ha! Even though most of that money is dirty!
2
I don't think Trump or his lawyers have ever heard of unethical, let alone know what it means.
13
It saddens me that so many refuse to believe that their female-genital grabber in chief could be guilty of this, or at the very least, had knowledge of it and implicit approval. Dingo: Who cares? Seriously? You don't think this matters in the grand scheme of things? Just what do you understand about our government and how it runs and what happens when it is compromised by people like Trump? My guess is very little. Let me tell you: Education DOES matter. Reason IS valuable. We are a nation of laws, which also matters and it looks like the Dumpster Trumpster and his fellow walking nightmares are beginning to realize this. In any event, we are watching President Putrid going down, a bit to slowly for my taste, but hopefully it will be done before he can do any more damage to our nation than he has already done!
65
Only in a story about Donald Trump would the NYT turn such rank surmise into an unequivocally stated front page news story.
For the record, the super-ambitious Mr. Meuller is likely playing from the "super hardball" section of the DOJ playbook. In that mode, the DOJ refuses to even speak with your counsel as long as you persist in doing something they object to. And, by the way, DOJ despises joint defense or information sharing agreements. Heaven knows how wrong it is for a party to an investigation to actually know what the government is doing.
Fortunately, few Americans get to learn first hand just how abusive and vindictive government prosecutors can be when they are in red meat mode. Their only boundary is what the courts will allow them to get away with, and there is plenty of space between that line and what ordinary Americans would deem fair or appropriate.
Where Trump is concerned, many Americans and certain publications believe that Mueller should observe no boundaries in the quest to destroy his Presidency.
4
Mr. Muller is methodically assembling a circular firing squad. And guess who's in the center? Such nice people, such richly deserving people. The only question will be whether the evidence can overcome the right wing fog machine. I have to admit to having serious doubts about that.
39
We do not need a notarized affidavit signed by Trump swearing "I do solemnly swear that I colluded with the Russian government to disrupt the American political system with fake news and distortions in order to win the election." You do not need this simple quid pro quo in order for this to be serious. I am confident that EVEN the MAJORITY of AMERICAN PEOPLE will finally see this for what it is. The arguments that Trump has no connection even though so many people in his campaign DID so he is off the hook is just shocking! How in the world are people comparing him to Truman, whose motto was THE BUCK STOPS HERE! This is so far from Truman that the mind boggles.
36
The thing is, I understand Trump folks put together some sort of fund to pay the defense costs of various campaign members. Specifically left out were those who were already indicted (Flynn).
Did Flynn's lawyers split from Trump's before or after this happened?
10
According to Trump, he can pardon anyone for anything. So this may have to go to additional investigations at the state level, where the President has no such power. Unlike 1973, Senate Republicans today are total partisans, with a few others who are in ill health or are being actively shown the exit door.
No wonder the Alabama Senate race is such a dilemma. I would say with all due respect, look carefully for outside interference, Russian disinformation, and assertions of voter fraud.
19
Trump has always acted like a guilty man begging Flynn to protect him. Otherwise, his public behavior makes no sense. And Trump will come out warring on Mueller if and when it becomes clear that he himself is a target. The real issue to me is what senior political actors in both parties will do move against Trump at the moment Mueller discloses the dirt. This is a sordid, filthy story that may not have a happy ending for our country. Let's hope it does.
26
I would never trust Flynn to be honest. He’ll give up the barest minimum and even tell lies as truths to escape prosecution for himself and his son. He’s revealed enough of his character that no one should expect otherwise.
14
I'm fascinated by the comments of the Trump partisans and defendants. Nobody says Flynn is an upstandiing man or even not guilty. The Trump supporters claim "nothing to see here" or "Trump can pardon him."
Trump picked a man Obama had fired for excellent cause -- Obama warned Trump about Flynn.
Flynn was a disaster on the job for Trump, was fired for lying to Pence, and now appears to be negotiating a plea-bargain for turning state's evidence.
There aren't any parties Mueller needs additional evidence against except House of Trump. (Manafort and Gates are toast. The evidence against them for money laundering and tax fraud is undeniable, and these are straightforward crimes to understand... no complicated issues of proving intent either.)
At the very least Trump advocates must acknowledge what a disaster Trump's decisions were in taking these people on. He was warned and he did it anyway. And it will be the height of irony if these people he picked put some of his family in jail and/or get him impeached.
Little Donnie and Jared (and perhaps Ivanka too) are looking very vulnerable now. It was LD and Jared who brought in Manafort -- they had been dealing with him. And it is likely that their dealings will put them in jail.
All of this could have been avoided had Trump exercised better judgement in the people he brought into his campaign and presidency. But of course ... that's not Trump.
32
Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Many of us hope that Flynn will provide the rock-solid evidence that will culminate in the impeachment of Trump but the split between Flynn's lawyers and Trump's may not necessarily mean that Flynn's singing like a bird. It could also be that it has been conveyed to Flynn that Trump will pardon him. For the sake of appearances, the two legal teams would have to cut ties at some point or risk being charged with conspiracy to evade justice and criminal collusion.
That said, we can still hope.
16
It was certainly a good Thanksgiving gift.
28
Mr. Mueller's investigation comes as a breath of fresh air in a world where slurs of bullies seem to dominate. In fact, it seems as if Mr. Trump is at a loss as to how to deal with a man who deals in facts and laws rather than the world of schoolyard bullies or redneck bars. Trump has spent far more energy in his foolish dispute with LaVar Ball than in dealing with Mueller.
Here, Mueller is keenly focused on methodical dealings with Michael Flynn, rather than on aggrandizing himself in the media. The "leak" about Flynn communications with the White House lawyers seems to have come from the WH rather than Mueller. There seem to be no leaks at all from Mueller's team, certainly an encouraging sign. Mueller really has a reliable team. These guys work together with a common goal for whom leaks weaken the team and serve no purpose.
The White House on the other hand is riddled with leaks, a clear sign of controversy and disruption rather than competence.
With the apparent breakthrough with Gen. Flynn, it is not long before Trump makes his first attempt to silence or fire him. In dealing with Mueller, there is simply no bully soapbox or Tweeting that can be effective, because Mueller has a job and is doing it and ignoring the media. He has nothing to gain. Trump is a lost soul; the absence of sarcastic banter leaves him at a loss. He can either fire Mueller and take the dire consequences, or shut up. So far, he has shut up.
52
Mueller remains a mystery. While we wait and speculate, Trump & Co continue to dismantle the United States.
46
General Flynn has more than the usual reasons to cooperate with Mr. Mueller. As a retired general, General Flynn has a military pension and free lifetime medical treatment care for himself and his wife worth over $13,000 per year indexed for inflation. A felony conviction, any felony in any jurisdiction, results in immediate discharge from the service. That means losing the pension and the medical care plus a few lesser perks including the title General. Add the threat to his son and you have motivation.
38
I call unfair. So this is how Mueller shows his respect for a great American solder? Bully him and, still worse, his kid? Anybody who defends that has zero honor and a mean streak as wide as the Rio Grande.
2
With a pardon would Flynn be able to keep his pension and benefits?
1
If Trump was not guilty of criminal activity involving Russia, he and his minions would not be fighting tooth and nail to obstruct the investigations. They would be cooperating fully. That is why it is so obvious.
41
Everyone should read the profile the New Yorker Magazine did of him within the last year or so. Mind blowing and an important insight into Trump's attitudes toward Iran since they are chapter and verse from Flynn.
The military had to finally force Flynn into early retirement . . .the article explains it all. I think he may have been really bitter about that and possibly driven into the loving arms of Russia as refuge, revenge and cash cow.
This is a dangerous man and whatever comes of the investigations we are very fortunate to have him out of the government. Read the article.
43
The GOP was once the party of a strong national defense. I didn't always agree with those positions as they could be misinformed miscalculations. But I always trusted that Republicans would be a party of patriotism.
Now they are a party of betrayal and moral shamelessness.
We're supposed to believe whatever Putin says is true...what?
We're supposed to believe Moore when he denies allegations of sexual abuse...we don't seem to have a similar problem with Weinstein, Spacey, Rose, O"Reilly, Ailes, etc. Why Moore and Trump?
The party of Lincoln and Eisenhower is no more.
59
My feeling during the convention was that there seemed something a little "off" about Gen. Flynn and when Trump won (which surprised me, like it did most people) I hoped that he would not be a part of the administration, along with some others. I was disappointed when he was selected and relieved when he was let go. I have no idea what he has to say to Mueller, although I would not take the word of someone angling for a better deal with prosecutors. It's one of the reasons someone can't be convicted on just the word of a "co-conspirator." I know many people have an almost religious faith about some kind of collusion with Russia (even if it's not illegal), but, as much as I don't think Trump should have been a nominee (nor Clinton), I still don't see any evidence of the hoped for "collusion." So far, all we've seen, if we can even believe what we read, is that there were discussions in the Trump campaign about maybe this or that Russian has dirt on Clinton, which seems to me the same thing the Clintons were hoping for on Trump, and has no impact on me. But, I always say, show me a real fact and I might change my mind.
4
Will John Adams write another opera after this? Trump in Russia could be a equal sequel to Nixon in China.
12
Prosecutors will enjoy hearing something other than that okayed by Trump's lawyers.
11
I'll reserve my judgement until I see who else does something similar. One person's defense team doing this does not constitute a trend. What this reader wants is the truth: what was the campaign thinking when it went to the Russians to begin with and why have some of Trump's present and former appointees lied about the contacts? Until we know that we have no way of knowing what, if anything, was compromised or if Trump truly won the election or was helped in ways that will ultimately undermine our democracy.
12
Bankruptcy Fraud and Money Laundering
Moving money offshore, to Cyprus or through Cyprus to Russia through the very casinos that were being bankrupted...
24
Another smoke screen. Nothing will happen, and all will get away with a travesty of justice! Meanwhile, Trump will continue plundering the USA, making it into a 3rd world country, but for the 1%
20
What is that racket? all that banging? Ah yes - the nails in the coffin.
26
Obama showed him the door for a reason.
39
What will it take for the Lilly livered press to call collusion collusion? We all knew it was collusion back when Don Jr's. meeting was revealed.
Dear Press, what part of c-o-l-l-u-s-i-o-n do you not understand?
23
This is very hopeful news. Flynn is a big fish and definitely doesn't relish the prospect of lengthy jail time possibly joined by his son...what worries me is that Trump will burn down the house on his way out and has a legions of supporters quite eager to be stoked...
33
I can only hope this is what my late Grandfather (b. 1884) would call a "Dirty-Double-Cross" wherein Flynn has led Trump's lawyer to believe he was on Team Trump, when actually he was working off jail time for himself & his son, with Mueller. Flynn's acts were treasonous. How do you go from being a super high ranking member of American military to what he is now? Incomprehensible.
32
Its already known that Flynn spoke at an event in Russia and was paid, and lied about being paid. Politics aside, this whole deal doesn't pass the smell test. Flynn was Director of an intelligence agency in the USA, so I'd say he had access to highly classified information. There are reports that Flynn was disgruntled. Lets give Flynn his due process, enough evidence exist for Flynn to be prosecuted and if found guilty of the charges, Flynn should do jail time and be stripped of his General rank, forfeit any benefits, including any retirement and pension.
13
Next spin from Saunders on behalf of her master:
Who's Gen Flynn?
Never heard of him.
I heard he's a good man.
Flynn Jr, what about him? he was a coffee boy in Trump Tower lobby.
Flynn will rat out the whole syndicate including Trump Jr and Kushner!
Again, like I stated before, we have no knowledge of Flynn and this is a stupid question.
FIX News will have "exclusive and guaranteed" sources to confirm Sunder's spin.
17
Reading of the machinations of prosecution and defense lawyers and the strategies and tactics employed to produce “justice” in this country, particularly this case, I think I’d rather take my chances with something I can’t even see. Cecil B. DeMille productions seem quaint in their staging compared to this. And a lot less money spent on them as well, I’m sure. Chopping down all the trees does little to restore the forest.
3
Patience is a virtue.
I am sure that Mr. Mueller knew that Mr. Flynn's offer of immunity in March would reap far more given time to gather more evidence against Mr. Flynn, his son, and (hopefully) those in Mr. Trump's inner circle.
Let's hope that Mr. Flynn's loyalty to himself, Mr. Trump, and Mr. Trump's agenda is shadowed only by his loyalty to his own son, and that 8 months of waiting and fretting will encourage Mr. Flynn to reveal everything that he knows.
28
Read Luke Harding's recent book Collusion. As DIA Director Flynn was promoted to a level of responsibility beyond his competency. That became very clear in his subsequent dealings with the Russians. The FSB and GRU carefully cultivated him as an asset.
Flynn's relationship with Trump was an unexpected godsend. Flynn had not disclosed the monies that he was receiving from the Russians and in his numerous lies was an easy target for blackmail - hence his termination as national security advisor.
Trump is in even deeper. The combination of the KGB (an all expenses paid trip to Moscow in 1987) and, in dealings subsequent to that, the FSB have been massaging Trump for at least three decades. What's conscious and unconscious remains to be seen but Harding raises the prospect of treason.
This is the stuff in the Steele dossier. Christopher Steele is no slouch. He was top drawer MI6 who worked closely with/is highly respected by the CIA. He has a reputation second to none. His sources in Moscow provided him with information in the dossier that he estimates is 70% to 90% correct.
If the information in Collusion was "fake news" Steele and Harding would have been sued. That hasn't happened. Trump is renowned for his threats of legal action. Why the silence?
What's unraveling in the Mueller investigation is much bigger than Watergate precisely because of the extensive involvement of a foreign adversary in subversion. You thought 2017 was bad? Hold on to your hats for 2018.
49
I love Luke Harding! He was on an excellent Fresh Air with Terry Gross early this year. Mr. Harding was discussing his book, ‘A Very Expensive Poison.’
I was in NYC a day or so later & made a special trip to Book Culture on Columbus & bought. excellent!
I’ll get this book now, too. Thank you.
4
So what happens when those close to Trump get indicted, and Trump moves to pardon them?
6
What happens is that we all get a lesson in treason and how a world-class liar does business.
38
Impeachment ... and prosecutions in state court, where Trump's pardon does nothing.
Schneiderman of New York is standing by, licking his lips at the thought of prosecuting Manafort, Gates, and any Trumps he can make a case against.
Money laundering over 1 M$ is a 24-year maximum sentence in New York State.
And New York doesn't have any club fed. Coxsackie is not a fun place to wile away the remaining years of your life.
Ivanka is now very vulnerable, both directly for actions she took trying to sell real-estate deals and simply that she would be a co-defendant in any money laundering or tax fraud by the Kushners.
She'll find the styles, food, and amenities at Bedford Hills not to her liking.
10
Well, we will all soon find out if Trump can pardon himself.
22
If Flynn actually has important information on Trump, I hope he has tapes.
If not, this liar can only be doubted in relation to what he might have on Trump.
I suspect Flynn knows this and has what he needs.
9
For anyone here, including Mr. Dingo from Indiana, who actually believes that the links in and around the Trump campaign to Russian government officials is some endless string of coincidences, lemme tell u something: Cops, journalists, lawyers, judges and trained investigators don't believe in coincidence.
37
Whether we believe in coincidence doesn't matter. We still have to rule out coincidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If only convicting was as easy as you seem to think.
1
Donald has thrown Flynn under the bus already. All he cares is about himself, Donald Jr and Jared. It tells you how low and base this person is.
21
wouldn't be so sure about jr and kushner
17
From this new revelation, it would seem that the Mueller investigation is now positioned right outside the Oval Office entrance. All that remains is that last emphatic turn of the door knob. The smell of an indictment for obstruction of justice and criminal conspiracy, a/k/a "collusion", is in the air.
An abused and traumatized nation is well-deserving of an unprecedented, presidential "perp walk".
45
" ... the first domino that set off a cascade of problems for Mr. Trump. ... raised the profile of an investigation that the president had tried mightily to contain." The new theme song for Mr. Trump is the "Shark Theme" from "Jaws".
15
General Flynn and his son were unregistered foreign agents for the Government of Turkey. That is a felony offense that carries a $250K fine and up to 5 years in prison.
Clearly, the Trump campaign had numerous back channels to the Russian campaign to defeat Hillary Clinton and elect Trump.
If Flynn & Son wish to have a limited time in prison, they must provide information useful to the Mueller investigation. I bet that they will
29
That Flynn's attorneys are no longer sharing information with Trump's defense team may mean Flynn is cooperating with Mueller or not, but it certainly means Flynn's lawyers have concluded that they cannot defend their client without implicating Trump and his family members in myriad crimes, starting with obstruction of justice.
21
I do not know where this will lead, but I am trying not to get my hopes up. This investigation could also end in a sudden stale mate. I have definitely seen the justice system work this way in past investigations of public officials. Look at Ronald Reagan. Ollie North took the fall and Reagan lives on as an icon and Bush SR took over for another term. Look at Scott Walker.
If Trump has put the right judges and officials in place, he may be able to shut this thing down. For instance if he pardons his cronies, fires Mueller and then Republicans protect him from damage by refusing to impeach or challenge him, this could go to court and land in Trump's favor.
It is unfortunate in our society that the very affluent can get away with treasonous behavior. However, this could play out like a disappointing chess game.
17
Sally Yates should be considered for president. I am a liberal democrat but I would vote for Sally under whatever party she would consider. I wish someone would help me with this. Thank you.
13
I wish people would stop acting as if the presidency is some type of reward for good behavior. Yates might be a great public servant, but do you know if she has any qualifications when it comes to economics, foreign policy, trade etc., managing a large organization etc.?
7
The only thing Trump has is bluster. His management credentials: failed casinos and bankruptcy.
12
LOCK HIM UP!
Everything else is secondary.
Karma, baby. Karma...
26
If, the Trump/Russia investigation is 'stupid Watergate' as John Oliver says, then Michael Flynn may turn out to be 'stupid John Dean.'
17
"Seems like every country has a vested interest in influencing American elections, regardless of what party it is. The Turks, the Russians, the British, Ukrainians, Saudis, Israelis, and the list goes on. They all send money, and bribe our politicians."
Well, SOMEBODY has to take an interest in American elections. Taking into account the percentages of Americans that don't vote, it's clear that Americans aren't interested in American elections.
23
Methodical and workman like Mueller is pursuing his quest for the truth much to chagrin of Trump and company. Trump who attacks private citizens including Gold Star families as he sees fit while never saying an unkind word against his hero and role model Putin. Intel agencies have determined that Putin interfered in our 2016 election to favor Trump yet Trump trusts Putin over his own intel agencies which is troubling to anyone slightly aware of international relations. Putin is busy arming the Taliban to fight American troops yet Trump;s admiration for this dictator Putin knows no bounds. Perhaps fear is driving the affection Trump showers on Putin since he knows of all dirty deals by Russian mob figures and oligarchs. As a distraction Trump will attack black athletes but this Flynn cloud hanging over him could erupt into a lightning and thunder storm affecting the inner circle of Trump and company. The law and order president seems to surround himself with a lot of criminal figures.
20
The photo does him justice. Watch one of his "lock her up" videos and regardless of your political orientation, be prepared to be truly frightened.
34
Everybody together now: "Lock HIM up; lock HIM up!" Wonder how it feels now that the shoe's on the other foot!
29
This isn't new. Flynn showed signs of this when he asked for immunity.
He's likely the smaller but more significant fish in this mess and perhaps looking to protect his son who's already implicated.
He'll likely be a factor in producing more indictments, but I'm confident Mueller knows more than enough.
And Ty Cobbs attempt to play this off like its nothing is laughable.
Trump and inner circle likely on edge--just the way I like it.
29
Whether Flynn flips on Trump or not, the fact is that he did something to catch the eye of Special Counsel Mueller, and that cannot bode well for Flynn or his family. His family are victims. They never asked for any of this. I have guarded optimism that this latest development could help further dismantle this debacle of a presidency, but at the same time, I continue to be sadden and ashamed that the office of the president continues to be shrouded in innuendos, mistrust, back door deals, and just plain hurtful and disgraceful behavior. And all this talk about Hillary Clinton - enough. I'm not a Clinton fan, but come on already - her ship has sailed and sunk. . . twice. Talk about a dog with a bone. Let it go, move on and turn the page.
16
Sure, Marge, sure. What he did to catch Mueller's eye was be seen with trump. You'll be calling for little Baron's head before long.
It's really kind of sick.
1
After Mueller gets everything he needs/wants from Flynn, Flynn HAS to be put under oath in a public hearing in front of congress for everyone in the country and world to see the wretched, despicable truth in all of it's ugliness
42
All I want for Christmas is the truth to come out....
42
Trump and his sycophants are so used to operating in the shadows that their machinations can't stand the spotlight. They will do anything for money. After Trump's multiple bankruptcies he couldn't borrow legitimate money and so he stepped into the shadows of the oligarchs who want to undermine America in any way they can. So shady deals were made by unscrupulous people like Trump, Kushner and rest of the Trump tribe. Of course, shady people attract similar people to them. So Trump cleared the swamp and turned it into a cesspool.
37
I never see the word greed used in talking about Trump,Flynn or any of these other gangsters!
15
Ok, here's the deal, this guy with the funky hair tells me...see what the Russians want and what they can do for me. I tell him, the Russians will get throw a monkey wrench in the elections and get you elected and all you have to do is praise Russia, lift the sanctions, and work out a deal with Putin so that both of you can make big bucks. I see, I like that part of making big bucks, and getting me elected President, tell him he's got a deal. Flynn, just that you know, we both can wind up in prison for this. Not me said the funky hair guy, I can pardon myself. Yeah, but what about me? Depends...depends on how it works out.
5
As the ship begins to go down, the rats jump off. Flynn and his corrupt son don't want to go to jail for Trump so, of course, they will cut a deal.
25
Nothings going Dow except what remains of our democracy. Trump is firmly ensconced in power and can pardon anyone he wants. Congressional districts are hyper gerrymandered to favor the GOP. The judiciary is being Republicanized by the day. Republican voters will vote for a pedophile or racist before a Democrat. Unlimited funds pour in from the likes of the Koch Brothers. One would have to be unreasonably naive to believe a positive outcome is likely.
15
Todd, do not let Democrats lecture us about democracy until they get rid of superdelegates. That is all.
2
I hope I hope Mueller does a better job of timelines than the NYTimes.
Trump’s campaign officially started in June, 2015. Flynn’s dinner with Putin was in December, 2015.
It is possible that Flynn’s Russian affair begins earlier than Trump’s campaign.
But in 2014, Flynn as DIA head, was concerned about the probability that Nowden had leaked secrets aboutourmilitary capabilities to adversaries, like Russia.
Given that Moscow hosted Trump’s Miss USA pageant in 2013, it seems like Trump’s connections to Moscow predate his campaign and Flynn’s relationship to Russia.
6
And if Putin knew before 2016 that he could make someone like Trump president, Rita, then he has already won this game. Trump won the primaries by himself, but needed Russian help to beat Hillary? And they were able to do it with a few Facebook ads?
Are we serious, here? We'd be launching this investigation against any Republican who had the audacity to beat Hillary. Period. That is all this is about.
2
DZ – read "Collusion," a book that describes Putin's interest in gaining the trust of an insider in the US, and particularly how DT was their perfect patsy. It's mind-boggling, if even half of the author's claims are true.
4
Be prepared for another distracting Trump tweet over the weekend. He knows how to play bad news.
30
Hopefully this is true. I wish Mr. Muller great success in conducting his investigation and putting any scoundrels in jail, or at least, out of the White House, permanently.
God Bless Robert S. Muller,lll.
48
At the risk of sounding off-topic, where is the Republican Congressional caucus on this incompetent, unfit administration? Oh, right. They like to keep it "in the family" even though they knew Trump and Rohrbacher were taking money from the Russians in Spring of 2016. "Swear to God."
I fervently hope that Counsel Mueller is investigating the audio tape of Paul Ryan, Kevin McCarthy and Steve Scalise conspiring to hide this information from Americans so they could put an R in the WH. They must be held accountable.
If we can't trust Congress to "check and balance" the Executive branch then we are doomed.
60
I've always been suspicious of whether Flynn really told Pence he only exchanged holiday greetings with the Russians or whether he did in fact tell Pence about details of his conversations. If so, maybe Flynn can rat on Pence... and maybe Pence is the target. Just a thought....
38
The continual statement (as if fact) that Flynn made "false statements to Vice President Mike Pence" is troubling and perhaps misleading. Who said he misled Pence? VP Pence and Flynn? Please cite your sources - if it is them, then Pogo was right..
8
I believe Pence told the press that Flynn denied contact with Russians. Pence told them that because that's what Flynn told him. So if untrue it was a "false statement."
4
Just how many of our former high-ranking military officers are intimately involved with nations whose history with the United States is adversarial? I'm beginning to feel pretty insecure.
Trump has destroyed my trust of the executive branch of our government, and given the problems that have been coming to light regarding various aspects of our military, I'm beginning to question how much of what we believe about our country is mere myth and propaganda. Accidents at sea and in the air make me question if our military is "great" any longer. The abundance of misogynistic occurrences among the various branches of our armed forces should give us cause to question the overall mindset of our military. How many military leaders are as greedy, immoral, and unethical as General Flynn?
Our nation has participated in several unwise, un-won wars. Our industrial-military complex, in no shape to win wars, continues to receive an inordinate portion of our national budgeted funds. It and many of our civilian businesses operate under unethical and greedy leaders and practices. Due, in part, to all of this our infrastructure crumbles while our financial situation becomes increasingly unstable. A former, wiser general warned us against this.
Have we forgotten Eisenhower's warning? Are we on our way to becoming a Banana Republic or the Germany of the twenty-first century? Are we going to wake up in time to alter a possibly scary scenario?
40
If Flynn is actually flipping, we may get a twofer, Trump and Pence, and if that happens I would contribute to Flynn's vacation fund.
42
Ev’rybody’s building the big ships and the boats
Some are building monuments
Others, jotting down notes
Ev’rybody’s in despair
Ev’ry girl and boy
But when Flynn the General flips
Ev’rybody’s gonna jump for joy
Come all without, come all within
You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Flynn
Based on Bob Dylan's "Quinn the Eskimo": 1967
14
Ty Cobb is referred to as a White House lawyer. Can someone tell me how Trump can hire a lawyer for "the White House" who is in essence a defense lawyer?
The RNC and Trump Re-Election funds are paying for Trump and friends' defense, but are our tax dollars also contributing the defense fund?
32
I continue to be just floored that retired three star general agreed to do work for Russia, work that clearly hurt the United States. I can't reconcile a man who spent decades in the United States military doing what needs to be done to rise to the rank of general and then beyond that earn three stars, with a man who makes him self available to the leaders of a country who has been opposed to us in varying degrees for decades. What is the military cranking out of their premier career leadership mold?
36
I doubt they will find anything on Trump or Jared. I'm a democrat, not trying to "stick up" for Trump.
2
It certainly may well wind up like that, like the out of control fire in Northern California, the flames will come right up to Trump but it will be the surrounding houses that burn down. But Trump is no cool cookie, so if he sees the fire coming he may go into a panic and through coverup and lying run right into it. Its quite clear that mendacity is his middle name.
19
Great advice -- I wonder whether Mueller has already thought of this:
"Mr. Mueller, please squeeze Flynn until he sings his lungs out."
The presumption is that Flynn knows something incriminating about Trump, and Mueller needs only to squeeze him hard enough to get it out of him.
Frankly, I doubt Flynn has anything significant to offer Mueller. Trump was harshly critical of Flynn after he left, which is not very smart if the departed person can hurt you. Trump may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but one need not be especially sharp to figure this out.
We've been hearing "collusion" stories for over a year now. Mueller is supposed to be looking for actual evidence. I don't want to rush him, but every investigation has a beginning, a middle and an end. So far, all we've seen from Mueller are his indictments of Manafort and Gates on entirely unrelated charges, and his indictment of Papadopoulos, which was predicted to lead to all sorts of revelations but so far seems to have yielded nothing.
So, Mr. Mueller, if you're going to be "squeezing" anyone -- Flynn, Manafort, Gates, Papadopoulos, whomever -- it might be time to start squeezing. Again, not to rush you, but ...
2
Trump is back to criticizing the NFL and athletes protesting the anthem. Something is coming soon. Hopefully, another indictment.
48
Sorry.....even though I am also a retired military officer, I do not trust the man, and I cannot put my finger on any specific reason..........we shall see......
32
Trump has no love for his supporters. Trump has no love for this country. All Trump cares about is money and himself. Russia had money and Trump took it. Trump will now pay the heavy price for treason and this nation shall go on without MAGA
55
au contraire, Mixilplix. If DT pays a 'heavy price' by being removed from office, America will instantaneously be returned to greatness.
2
A traitorous American General doing the bidding of a traitorous President. Greed. Power. Lies.
And they were put there by the very men and women who needed leadership, not traitors.
48
Doesn't anyone remember Radio Free Europe? That was America's expressed effort to effect political outcomes in the Soviet Union, by broadcasting our propoganda.
4
Yep an open well known US run radio effort. We knew what it was. Our enemy knew what it was. Our intended audience knew what it was. Everyone knew what it as. It operated in the open.
What the Russians and trump have done is completely different.
39
So your argument is that America did it openly so it's okay for Russia to do it surreptitiously? Or what??
2
Do you remember Radio Moscow? What's your point? Radio Free Europe has nothing to do with Russia covertly interfering with our elections. Persuasion is not the same as sabotage.
12
It is hard to imagine Flynn cooperating with Mueller unless to save Flynn's son, whose PizzaGate behavior proved him to be even more bizarre than his father -- if that is possible. Flynn seems the type to believe that Trump would pardon him and so there would be no need to cooperate. Therefore, if Flynn is now cooperating, it would have to be that Mueller provided him some information that shook his faith in Trump. The existence of such information is very easy to imagine, but Flynn's ability to grasp the reality of it is another matter.
26
Few people know Trump was paying Flynn's Son to push vicious PizzaGate Lies.
What a disgraceful Presidency.
15
A very important question this story doesn't touch on is: Could Trump put an immediate kibosh on Flynn's cooperation by pardoning him and his son right now -- before any cooperation.could bear fruit?
3
My lawyer friends tell me that if he accepts a pardon, it is an admission of guilt. Since he is then PARDONED, he has no ability 'to incriminate himself' , thus he could not plead the Fifth. Should he LIE to investigators thereafter, he's liable for perjury.
22
How can you pardon someone if they haven't been accused of anything yet?
2
Well, DR, there's accused in the informal sense, and there's accused, or charged, in the legal sense. Ford pardoned Nixon before there was any legal charge.
James Cooper, thanks, that's good to read in that it complicates things. But if Trump then pardons Flynn on a perjury charge, aren't we right back where we started? Get back to your lawyer friends on that, please.
1
Flynn's been trying to make a deal with Mueller since the beginning -- the day he hired his lawyer the lawyer stood before the press saying Flynn had "a story to tell" and wanted to make a deal. Flynn has also refused to hand over legally requested documents and emails presumably playing the cat and mouse game and not wanting Mueller to find out anything about what he "has".
Now, if he does have a good story and does make a deal it will be interesting to see how the public reacts to him getting off easy.
16
The "public" reacts to dirt and a lot of it will stick to Trump.
7
The Truth is out there (to quote the X-Files lead-in), but whether We The People will ever know it is questionable at best.
I was a "tween" during Watergate, and felt it took decades before most of the big questions of that criminal enterprise were finally answered. Now I hope I live long enough to hear the Truth about the conspirators who seized the White House in 2016. If they actually won the Electoral College count without Russian collusion and/or other gross violations of federal election laws, I will be pleasantly surprised. That surprise, however, will not redeem the gross misconduct that has been characteristic of the administration and their (lack of) ethics through the vetting of judges, cabinet members, etc. Not to mention the rampant conflicts of interest that seem to be celebrated - if not gloated about and rubbed in the faces of those who disapprove - by the "first family."
The fallout, whether it exonerates or excoriates, will last for decades.
23
Yes, and re Watergate our press continues to repeat the inane trope that "the cover up is worse than the crime." In reality, Nixon committed an avalanche of crimes that were largely swept under the rug with his resignation. Yes, the evidence emerged over the decades -- especially with the tapes -- but few Americans really understand the extent of Nixon's criminality.
10
someone somewhere points out (correctly) that most voters did not know the full extent of Nixon's crimes for years after he left office. The problem with Trump is that much of what he is suspected of doing can do immediate harm to the country. We can't afford to wait until Trump is put out to pasture to find out what he and his friends have been up to. It may be too late then.
4
I've long thought Flynn has nothing of interest to offer Mueller. If he did, Trump would never have criticized him after Flynn left.
4
It's clear that people surrounding our president are going to be sentenced to jail. Flynn and his son are two on a list of many. The matter of their attendance at corrections facilities is another matter. That said, Trump is going to walk away unscathed because he is more innocent than not--a binary measure doesn't exist. Please note that I am a flaming Progressive who wants to see him and his team convicted as you read further.
The assertion that our president acts like a toddler is all but settled. His impulse control is near non-existent. His handlers and strategic supporters know this well. Combined with the fact that he had no real intellectual command of the democratic or electoral processes, he was the perfect charismatic figurehead, willing to say anything to provoke a response from the constituency targeted by his investors and strategic handlers. Acting cuddly when a cookie was within reach and throwing tantrums, a toddler cannot be held accountable when the adults in the room plan a murder.
I don't think he knew or colluded. His behavior, since he announced his candidacy, gives no evidence that he is capable of understanding or executing a complex plan. He fails at everything that requires prudence, nuance and care. What passes for intimidation and bullying from him, throughout his life, requires adults to follow through on.
The absolute last thing his investors and handlers would want, when colluding with Russians, would be his knowledge of the collusion.
16
You mean the president may have been cluless as his campaign people and family members worked with the Russians to get him elected?
Could well be the case. But then he may be as deep in as any.
Time should tell
8
I think you're right and wrong. DJT is definitely no master strategist and could never complete a diabolical plan to usurp the government to hand it to Russia.
BUT, he is also a fool who would sell out his closest confidants(much less the entire country) for personal enrichment and/or glorification. To be culpable for treason, he need not be the mastermind-just the willing beneficiary.
8
I tend to agree with you. Since the beginning of the investigation, I've had the feeling that Trump was likely oblivious to any behind-the-scenes planning/collusion that may have occurred to get him elected. I mean, think about it: the people closest to him obviously know that the man is almost tragically incapable of self-restraint; he's shot himself in the foot so many times we've all lost count. So why would those around him - who may have been participating in nefarious activities - ever let Trump in on it? It would be totally self-destructive for them to have done so.
4
This will go down in history as the beginning of the end of DJT.
13
I hope you're right; there have been so many of those "beginning-of-the-end" moments for this rotten egg in the White House.
5
Unfortunately the so-called president and his rabid supporters are determined to drag the entire country down with them.
8
There is only one reason that Trump would defend Russia`s interference in the US election and that is money. If Mueller gets to understand the conman`s finances via his tax returns and other sources the jig will be up and Trump will be impeached or take the bye-bye ride in the Marine One helicopter from the WH a la Nixon.
America , the one thing to give thanks for today is Mueller. God speed his investigation.
59
Why did Kushner want/need Secret communications with Russia via using the Russian embassy`s secure phone system & why didn`t Flynn object at the time of this request at the meeting in the Trump Tower ? eg.
"Jared Kushner may have discussed creating a secret communications channel between the Trump transition team and the Kremlin with Russia's ambassador Sergei Kislyak, The Washington Post reported Friday, citing US officials briefed on intelligence reports. The claim comes from INTERCEPTS of conversations between Russia's ambassador and Moscow.
Kislyak reportedly told higher-ups in Moscow that Kushner suggested the proposal in a meeting at Trump Tower -- which former national security adviser Michael Flynn also attended -- in December. Kushner "suggested using Russian diplomatic facilities in the United States for the communications," the Wa. Post reported."
Mr. Mueller, please squeeze Flynn until he sings his lungs out .
40
"Jared Kushner may have discussed creating a secret communications channel between the Trump transition team and the Kremlin with Russia's ambassador Sergei Kislyak,..." The question based on timing, i.e. transition period, and no global or Russian internal professionals' assessments of Russia's roles within State and DoD. Why the back channel need? Why? There is an answer to why, finding it is a key.
10
At this point it has been well established that Trump looks out for his people, so it would only make sense that he would seek to aid, Mr. Flynn---especially given Flynn's undiagnosed onset of memory loss due to excessive use of hair dye. After all, in General Flynn's thirty-three year military career he was briefed annually on his ethical duties, and he especially received one just prior to his retirement that explained to him that Admirals and Generals are prohibited from representing foreign countries.
All kidding aside, Flynn, the neo Benedict Arnold's goose is clearly cooked on several counts of violating the law, his "Lock her Up!" mantra will in fact be turned upon him,--sweet justice indeed. In the good old days, traitors were simply shot. All this begs the question, was Flynn actually a spy for the Kremlin before he retired? Was it any accident Flynn readily attached himself to Trump?
30
"At this point it has been well established that Trump looks out for his people,"....Please provide an example. I can't think of any.
5
Trump looks out for his people? Are you joking? Trump would throw anyone, including his wife and most of his children, under the proverbial bus to save his own egotistical skin.
1
Of course, I'm joking, didn't the "excessive use of hair dye" give you that clue. Read everything first, then think, then write. Cheers.
1
If Mueller can end his investigation before the next presidential election(???), it might do the trick of getting Trump out of our lives forever. But, if it takes that long, as it seemingly is doing, what will it have accomplished? Trump surely will have made tons of personal and business money from his presidency by then and most likely would not run for a 2nd term at 74 or 75 years of age
Sometimes I truly wonder if "the investigation" is not all just a pacifying ruse keep America from open rebellion against an obviously mentally ill president.
12
What is this fascination by so many commenting about Trump wanting more money? How many billion dollars would be enough for you? Silly.
1
There will be no "next presidential election", mark my words.
5
Mueller is playing a very fine chess game. The concern is that he is playing with a master of checkers.
15
The Trump organization could not attract the best and the brightest. Obama fired Michael Flynn and warned Trump to stay away from him. Did Trump listen?
No his cabinet and advisors are loose cannons, either kids with no government experience or incompetent second rate discards and cast offs. Their credentials are appalling. When they leave or are tossed out, no one will hire them. The confirmation hearings for some of them are frightening.
Is this good enough for the American people?
72
He wanted, needs, people who are obedient, don’t ask questions and will do as they’re told.
7
If Flynn has no incriminating information to share with the Special Prosecutor regarding Trump, why were Trump's lawyers interested in sharing any information with Flynn's team in the first place? The Trump - Flynn "friendly" relationship has obviously ended. Why is the pregnant question.
26
It is an administration of people who have done anything for money and continue to do that.
If that includes having sold out the country they should be punished to the maximum.
36
Is it possible that Mueller has Trumps tax returns in his possession?
23
It's likely.
4
It's a diversion. Mueller is a former F.B.I. Director and Comey is too, who was instrumental in affecting the election, maybe even more than the Russians, with his grand, televised nationally, press conference about Hillary Clinton that reminded everyone about the email scandal just three days before the day most people voted. I'm sorry to be so skeptical and cynical, but this reminds of the John Gotti prosecution in which the Federal prosecutors gave Sammy "The Bull" Gravano who was accused of killing 22 people, a new life in exchange for testifying against the Boss.
10
It's just another piece of a pattern that truly revolves around money laundering and foreign corrupt practices fueling Trump's never ceasing need of cash. The Trump run for the Presidency was a 'scam' - then, like a runaway train script for The Producers, it succeeded, by the slimmest of margins in the swing states and with a minority of the popular vote by 3,000,000. Comey was simplistically reactive to Giuliani's manipulation through the NYC FBI office, and has surely regretted his actions ever since, but this whole year has been a 'cascade of unfortunate events' worthy of the most defective Lemony Snicket plot.
16
Let's see how Flynn. a career military man, reacts when Mueller puts the heat on not only him but his son. Fall on the sword for an unappreciative boss or protect one's own hide(s). I am hoping for the latter but not for Flynn to get off completely. His treacherous actions deserve the chant "Lock him up."
32
Just a thought: The "president" should be very, very afraid.
28
I highly recommend reading Seth Abramson’s corrective to this on Twitter. @sethabramson it’s inexpicable why the New York Times writes articles that puts those under investigation for treason with such kid gloves. Ultimately this all points to Trump. Yet the Times pretends otherwise.
12
NYT typically has to be a bit more guarded than a blogger. Patience.
10
I couldn't agree more, and I find the lightweight approach both suspicious and a red flag. The future of the country and the world is dependent on Mueller successfully proving to the REPUBLICANS IN CONTROL that Trump must be removed as quickly as possible.
1
Fascinating piece by Seth Abramson that clarifies detail and timelines that just didn't make any logical sense in the NYT article. Thanks for the recommendation.
1
Happy Thanksgiving Trump! May your Winter Solstice holiday bring more of the same.
From a liberal, college educated, agnostic, socialist Trump hater....Happy Holidays!
51
There's at least two of us.
4
Why did Flynn have an "information sharing agreement" with Trump's team in the first place? True, the White House had everything to gain if it could monitor what the prosecutor was revealing to Flynn. But I question what Flynn might have gotten, or should even have expected to get, in return. Trump was always going to throw Flynn under the bus if the need arose. Absent any agreement, if Trump's lawyers had had the inside word of something really dangerous, they still would have been free to share it with Flynn's team any time they thought it might help Trump to do so, or withold the information if they thought withholding would be for the best. Which is pretty much where Flynn stood under his unenforceable request masquerading as an "agreement."
Of course Flynn had the power to disclose or withhold whatever information he chose also, just as Trump's team did. I wonder if Flynn was duplicitously working Trump's lawyers by encouraging them to believe Flynn was was being completely trusting, open and candid with them? Because besides the two sides engaging in a mutual con of one another—a Trumpian specialty—I can't think of any other good reason for them to engage in this spooky ritual dance.
48
"Why did Flynn have an "information sharing agreement" with Trump's team in the first place?"....They needed to make sure they were telling the same story.
6
Theres no honor among thieves...if anyone thought Flynn was going to throw himself under the bus for Trump, it was never going to happen. Im betting Flynn will be going to jail for a while, even with this deal.
17
President Obama told Trump not to hire Flynn but of course, the art of the deal maker knew better.
30
This is yet another red flag that something is going on. I am shocked when I read the amount of Russia involvement denial in these comments. What kind of evidence and how much more evidence is needed to convince people?
27
Mueller has already prepared an indictment he has shared with Flynn's defense counsel. The details of the indictment are such that if Trump were to consider giving Flynn a pardon, even the Republicans would have no choice but to impeach Trump. The charges in all likelihood include a conspiracy and bribery to kidnap a person residing in the United States and transport him to Turkey - a charge that carries a life sentence. The source of the money for such bribe would be a basis for a treason charge.
Flynn's counsel, realizing Trump politically will be unable to pardon Flynn, will try to save Flynn and his son with cooperation.
24
I Like this scenario in that Trump will not be able to pardon Flynn, and even Republicans would have no choice but to impeach...But other than relative certainty that an indictment of Flynn has been prepared the remained appears to be speculation and wishful thinking. Do you know, for example, what is in the pending indictment that would force impeachment? I would be thrilled if it did.
1
That is not an impeachable offense, go fish!
TITLE 18, U.S.C., SECTION 241
If two or more persons conspire to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or because of his having so exercised the same;...
They shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and if death results from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, they shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both, or may be sentenced to death.
1
No one who studies Game Theory is surprised by this turn of events.
This is "The Prisoner's Dilemma" brought to life.
10
So it turns out that it is not ideology but pure greed that is in charge of our government. Exhibit A, Donald Trump. Exhibit B, Michael Flynn. Exhibit C, Paul Manafort. Exhibit D, Donald Trump, Jr. Exhibit E, Jared Kushner.
Are any of these people ideologues. Whatever is convenient at the time.
Michael Flynn is particularly disturbing. I know Donald Trump swore in his oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution, but really, did anyone expect him to mean it?
Michael Flynn was different. He served. Did he see those around him benefit monetarily and then decided it was his turn? After that first foreign paycheck, it must have been easier to rationalize the next. He should not have dipped his toe in the first time because now he is endangered of drowning. If anything can be said of Donald Trump, he is a strong swimmer. Are the others?
9
And Pres. Trump”s supporters will say Flynn is lying to save his son. Sad.
13
If you listen carefully, you can already hear the rumbles of the coming stampede of "best friends" racing to the doors of the Special counsel. Possibly the most glaring indicator, or perhaps the second most glaring indicator,(the non-stop stream of lies that issues forth from the Trump mouth being first most) of the basic criminal mind set of Trump and those whom he attracts around himself is the total lack of anything remotely resembling Honor.
These folks are void Honor. I know that this sounds like a literary issue, but it speaks to a basic foundation of Democracy, of a mutual bond of equality and respect.
These absolute qualities of government of for and by the People are simply not present in fascism, Nazism, oligarchism, or the Trump administration.
Trump will soon resign to save himself. However, it is probably too late for Kushner, Trump Jr. and a couple of dozen others.
15
"Trump will soon resign to save himself."....No. Just like the accusations of sexual assault from more than a dozen women, Trump will say it is all fake news, and his brain dead supporters will believe him.
3
A basic consideration is overlooked here. Mr. Trump has been advised that he is not a target of this investigation. As a result, his attorney, Mr. Cobb, has fully cooperated with Mr. Mueller. If Flynn has indicated that he will share evidence against Mr. Trump, he will have to male what is called a proffer. In that proffer, he will have to give a detailed account, under oath, of everything he knows relevant to the case. And if anything he says tends to incriminate Trump, then Trump would become a target.
Because of Cobb's reliance on the previous non-target assurance. Mueller will have to disclose to him whether he is now targeting Trump. And if so, Cobb's strategy will change and he will stop cooperating. Moreover, he will advise Trump to do the same.
It is pretty much inevitable that if Trump stops cooperating, he will have to, at times, take the Fifth. Since that has not yet happened, it's likely that Trump is not now a target. If Flynn's proffer changes that -- and that may occur very soon -- then it all hits the fan and it's war between Mueller and Trump.
73
I do not recall anyone but Trump saying he was not a target of the investigation. Certainly not Mueller.
5
An interesting hypothesis, no snark or sarcasm intended or implied (shame that we have to add that these days). But could I ask you to reconsider the entire train of thought after you’ve read the following sentence: Trump received an assurance that he was not under investigation from James Comey, not Robert Mueller, nor did Mueller take over Comey’s investigation; rather it is an entirely new investigation by an independent special prosecutor and not the FBI.
5
Details matter. Trump was told by Comey, at a point in time, that he was not under investigation. That does not automatically relate to the current time or to the current investigator.
3
This whole pack of Russo-Republicans, bribed with illicit Russian dollars earned in gangster fashion, will, hopefully, all end up in the Big House.
But the ones that really get me are Flynn and Son. These guys are business partners in an Intelligence Security Firm ---completely hip to what's really going on --- yet Junior passed along and promulgated an absolutely fallacious story about the Pizza Pedophile Ring.
They knew this dark defamation was entirely bogus, else wise why not just have the cops bust Hillary and the alleged child slavers in their tunnels beneath the otherwise innocuous pizza parlor?
Isn't there a law against this sort of gross Public lying and defamation? Have no Democrats an actionable legal case against those who knowingly and willfully passed on such outrageous lies that they knew to be false?
That these two whack-a-billies, actually involved with the secret machinations of the U.S Government, would be such two-bit dirty tricksters, is just astounding.
I bet this is one of the major things Mueller is threatening Flynn with: both he and his son's absolutely culpable conspiracy to pass untrue and damaging information that they knew wildly and recklessly false.
Mueller and his team have men on base, there are no outs in the 2nd inning, and they are threatening to score. I am looking for a barrage of line drive extra base hits. That's something to be thankful for.
56
Love the spirit. I am US but live in UK. About defamation: need to prove malice. Looks pretty obvious in Hillary's case, but polititians are expected to take a lot, more than usual because of their occupation. Legal says that even with all that has been launched at her it could still be risky. That's English law. US law based on English law. That may be why she hasn't sued.
4
Our ignorance of the term "due process," our yelling about how honest FBI directors are crooks, our insistences on believing nonsenses about a certain uranium deal no matter how many times they're disproven, our screamings about how they're all the same and Hillary got ten mil from Ukraine, are every bit as much a threat to democracy in this country as Donald Trump
Especially if you combine them with the fact that we do not so much as show up to vote, and then look desperately for alibis for the fact that we do not ao much as show up to vote.
22
Was that the sound of another Trump domino falling? Turns out lying to the FBI is more likely to land one in jail than having a "private" email server. Who knew?
31
Could Mueller be packaging up an early Christmas present for the American people? One can only hope.
44
Snakes and weasels are no longer speaking. Snakes claim weasels are untrustworthy. Weasels respond snakes strike without warning. Will snakes and weasels ever be friends again!? It’s hard to get along in the same swamp.
19
Manafort, Rick Gates, George Papadopoulos...Flynn?
and next?
No matter; somebody will become the Rudolph Hess of our times.
16
All I want for Christmas... is a sleigh full of wonderful presents from Robert Mueller.
56
Flynn is proving the well recognized behavior of cowardly men. Yes. He may be a military hero. But, government is not the military. At least, not yet. Not until Putin and Trump work that out together.
It is barely possible that Flynn now realizes hitching his wagon to Trump's was not such a good idea. Here is a man who had a fine military career and because of his own disgruntled attitude and belligerence, he chose to make a fool of himself by sidling up to the worst possible element of US society today: Trump.
Those of us who know well the Trump legacy living in the NY/NJ Metro region, know the only thing Trump has EVER been successful at is "FAILURE."
Trump can take down men with the most impeccable reputations just because that is his major operative. Look at how hard Trump works to tear apart Obama's legacy.
Trump is a paper idol. He always has been. He's lived a life of one band aid to another. Now, his greatest conquest is the entire USA.
25
Flynn obviously was dealing in un-American activities long before he became connected with Trump, and was obviously a greedy fool long before becoming Trump's fool. Clearly Trump has only one talent--getting other greedy fools to do dirty work for him.
8
This may be the most patriotic moment of Flynn's life. His vulgar hypocrisy
and semi treasonous behavior can be rectified by setting the record straight.
Regardless of who is impacted, the healing of the nation and extrication of these
criminal traitors and colluders are in his hands.
4
Great comments, yet Flynn is not, and never has been, a hero. Donning a military uniform does not make one a hero despite what Pentagon propaganda would have us believe. Like every other occupation, the military has it's share of good and bad apples... and Flynn is decidedly rotten to the core.
8
I'd be interested to see how this information was obtained? All major newspapers are running this story, but I haven't found out who uncovered the information, and how it was equally disseminated among the newspapers.
I just wonder how anxious all these news agencies are to share their stories for the maximum effect, yet no one is ever attributed to uncovering these stories then tied to innuendo of guilt get spread so equally.
It doesn't seem like journalism, it seems more like a concerted effort to create the biggest headlines.
1
See the NYT article, paragraph three: it references four people all saying the same thing. Journalists work on the assumption that the more independent sources/witnesses you have that are willing to go on record, the more likely the piece of news is hard/credible.
12
Reporters talk to other reporters, like accounting firm employees do. The difference is, the reporter who breaks the story won't share sources with others until that first story is published, just as the sources for that first story tend not to reveal what they know to incoming reporters until they see that first story published, in fear that they'll be fired for talking. You probably know personally that's how power works its magic. Think about it.
Shouldn't the story of a treasonous White House generate big headlines? The concerted effort is a two way street. If the upper-echelons of the Administration didn't make such a concerted effort to hide its loyalty to Putin there would not be a story, would there?
5
It's about to be confirmed, once again, that there's no honor among thieves. I also sense Flynn's presidential pardon slipping away.
16
Now we have the price tag for Mr Flynn's honor. It is a good amount of money,and of course his son was brought in to help. Bad parenting indeed,but then his avarice was meant to benefit his family Mueller must have an expectation of catching more and bigger felons with the information or he would never make any deal I expect to be hearing more about the Trump/Kushner group
17
Well, there goes another name off the President's Christmas card list.
20
Flynn brought important credentials to the Trump campaign early on. A 3 star ex-army general former head of the Defense Intelligence agency. More importantly to Trump he was one of the 3 ex generals who ran afoul of the Obama administration. Along with Mathis and Kelly they were able to give him both military and foreign policy credibility. It's likely that Flynn had many discussions with Trump that would be of interest to the special counsel.
19
My guess is that at the end of the day, evidence will show about 80% likelihood that Trump colluded with Russia, Trump will say fake news, and the republicans in congress do nothing.
13
They will do nothing because they are more worried about their political power than the safety of the nation, period! Worst congress ever...
12
Most Americans believe we are lucky to live in a country that is governed by the rule of law, and not in a country where the government can arrest and imprison whoever they want or use the threat of arrest to force them or others to do their personal bidding.
However this is most certainly not the case with the federal government. Due to the complexity of federal laws if the FBI decides to examine a person's life with a fine comb they are experts at being able to take a single act and charge the person with violating enough statutes to put them in prison for decades.
The government then puts a proverbial gun to his head threatening decades in prison if he dares to exercise his right to trial by jury which results in 97% of federal defendants feeling no choice but to accept a plea deal.
So when the federal government makes the decision to arrest somebody and charge him with a crime, it is a decision to either throw him into prison, or to force him to get him to do their bidding.
The case of Mr. Mueller scrutinizing Michael Flynn Jr., the elder Mr. Flynn's son, is an extremely disgusting example of this. This investigation did not arise because Flynn Jr's name came up in an FBI investigation, and is not for the purpose of law enforcement. It is for one purpose only. It is to threaten an American citizen that if he does not do exactly what Mr. Mueller tells him to do then he will send his son to prison for decades. The proper term for this is extortion.
3
The proper term for this is solid investigative and prosecutorial practice.
19
Flynn has committed treason to subvert the democratic order. I suggest we take the kid gloves off and fight for our Republic.
17
Good luck. I don't think there was a crime on the Republican side. And Mueller seems to be turning a blind eye to the Democrats.
1
This is the silliest thing I've ever read. Mueller is investigating Russian interference in our elections. Why would he be investigating Democrats? Do you just assume everything you read about Manafort and George is just fake news? Do you remember when they fired Mike Flynn because of Lies and contacts with Russians? Do you notice when our President is licking Putin's boots?
Please help me understand.
3
"I don't think there was a crime on the Republican side."....I completely agree with the "I don't think" part.
3
This is a war of attrition -- Trump will win it unless there is a break within weeks. I had hoped October will be the month. Winning is making it possible to remove him with all that the word possible implies. The alternative of Pence is scarier than most even dream. He is a dominionist Christian who believes viscerally the way Sharia-prone Islamists do. The Times should interview their former bright light Chris Hedges who went underground with the evangelicals and came up properly frightened. If we could be rid of Trump and Pence as a result of Mueller's probe, waiting would have a silver lining.
14
Flynn is breathtakingly arrogant and apparently not too bright. Despite his military training, he was an easy mark for Alex Jones, Turkey and Russia. When he yelled "lock her up", he really meant "lock me up".
62
People - let's not bury the lede: Trump is lawyered up and under investigation. A sitting president is under investigation for election interference with a foreign government despite his public, very loud and ridiculous denials.
108
Of course he should be cooperating with the investigation. That is his patriotic duty.
29
Flynn is not cooperating with Mueller because of patriotism; it's self-preservation. Flynn's claim to patriotism vanished when he decided to forsake the United States for Russia. I would also add that in doing so, he violated his oath to support and defend the Constitution and the United States.
2
Seems like every country has a vested interest in influencing American elections, regardless of what party it is. The Turks, the Russians, the British, Ukrainians, Saudis, Israelis, and the list goes on. They all send money, and bribe our politicians. Clinton received more than $10 million from the Ukrainian government alone! It is really kind of stupid to have an investigation, when everyone knows how corrupt our politicians really are, and they aren't about to refuse the money. What we really need is to get rid of the current lot of politicians we have, (including the Supreme Court Justices who voted in favor of the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission), and have another constitutional convention, as Thomas Jefferson once proposed we should have every 20 years.
50
Speaking of Thomas Jefferson, he also warned in our Declaration of Independence that we will suffer evils as long as evils are sufferable before changing what we're used to.
6
And where do your facts come from re: HRC receiving 10M from the Ukraine?
10
I have to agree about the Justices who support Citizens United but I am confused by your calling for and end to the investigation, that seems to be a large contradiction. On what other issues are you confused and contradictory?
3
I understand that careful, exhaustive investigation is necessary to build an airtight case. But geez, this is taking FOREVER!! In the meantime, Trump and his people are trumpling all over us.
19
I also feel your frustration. It is important to note that Mueller only started in May, and he is working at a furious pace with the best staff. Flynn held out for the best deal he could get, and as he said previously, he has a story to tell. Trump pointedly tried to get Comey to lay off the Flynn investigation - above all others - that says a lot. Trump said not to go near his Business Transactions, that says even more. It would be a real shame if Trump and company were charged and they got off on a technicality that could have been avoided.
16
This investigation is not taking forever. It just seems that way to some. It took a minimum of eighteen months to bring Nixon down. Mueller is actually moving pretty fast.
7
This administration is like watching a sealed BOX OF RATS. They are getting desperate and now they are starting to feed on each other. It makes my stomach turn to think that our country has sunk so low.
I used to think that democracy in our country was very unhealthy but that it could be saved. Now, with this administration and the release of the Paradise Papers I realize that democracy in the United States was DOA long before I was born. Or maybe this idea of democracy was a lie all along that we all bought.
The decisions that effect all our lives are being made through underground offshore networks by obscenely rich people and NOT through any ballot process.
I don't think a true democracy can thrive in a capitalist society that is run without any ethical standards or regulations. Unchecked greed kills democracy.
I hope someone can convince me that I am wrong.
62
Sometimes it's hard to have faith, but that's what we have to do. Remember Sam Adams at the Old South Meeting House and 7000 Bostonians outside after the Boston Massacre in 1770. "Not one regiment but two", Adams demanded of Governor Hutchinson. All the people shouted it out too. Hutchinson went pale and removed both regiments. I love the spirit of my fellow citizens in these comments. I look back at my country and know it is not over yet. Maybe it's just begun!
1
The American ideas of democracy died before 1830. Also, Democracy can't thrive in a Capitalistic society. In a Democracy, the majority rules to control the wealth and power to the benefit of all. In a Capitalistic society, all the power and wealth is accumulated and controlled to satisfy very few. It hasn't worked for America, despite all the propaganda we keep pumping out about the virtues of Democracy. None of the American upper 1% believes in democracy either. They don't want to share their power and wealth.
1
Manafort=Halloween. Flynn=Thanksgiving. Jared for Christmas?
59
I suspect that Flynn is certifiably crazy. He will lie about everything and may actually believe some of his own lies. Mueller seemingly waited to begin talks with him until the investigation turned up enough documentary evidence and other testimony to hold Flynn to some semblance of the truth. If so, he may have damning evidence against the Trumps and Kushner. I hope so. And if we're really lucky, against Pence too.
45
There is a reason Trump strongly suggested Comey "let this Flynn thing go." And it has nothing to do with friendship.
66
Soon Trump will be saying (tweeting) that "he was just a volunteer and really had nothing to do with the campaign".
53
Jared Kushner’s security clearance remains a threat to our national security. Flynn’s subversive dealings are being prosecuted.
Kushner is still not only financially untethered to the emolument laws he is determining foreign policy.
76
Was there an actual joint defense agreement (written or oral)?
Did the sharing of information include privileged information, or only unprivileged information each had acquired?
If there was a JDA with an employee the President fired that is, at the very least, bizarre. It could be indicative that President Trump shares the same legal culpability that Michael Flynn has.
If the President's and Flynn's interests were not aligned there should not have been a JDA.
9
And do the attorneys now have a conflict of interest for agreeing to a joint defense agreement, to the detriment of their respective clients? And if such a conflict exists, should they not recuse themselves?
2
What scares me more that collusion with Russia is the thought that the President of the United States is indebted to Russia, not for delivering the election but for cash in his businesses.
Isn't it possible that Trump was pressed to collude because he owed money to Russia and maybe the threat of the tape being released. Look at all the Russia connected people that became Trump people.
Look at Trumps fawning behavior to Putin. It's chilling. It feels like we have a traitor in the White House.
I don't understand how Republicans are ok with this. Are their rightward leanings so strong that they prefer authoritarian Russians over liberal Americans. Is that where we are today? Really???
896
We DO have a traitor in the White House.
34
They are OK because Trump does the will of their fellow Deep State military industrial oligarchical contributors. Media largely ignore how much Trump does to warm the cockles of the Deep State's heart.
4
Are you just figuring this out??? A little late to the party, but welcomed just the same.
5
Even if Flynn is indicted and ultimately convicted the truth will not be served. Who amongst us doesn’t think for a moment that Trump wouldn’t pardon Flynn if for no other reason than to thumb his nose at a justice system that he already believes he’s above.
25
I am not a lawyer but I am an admitted addict to this Trump/Mueller stuff. If you accept a pardon, you are admitting guilt to a felony. You then lose your right to taking the 5th is any upcoming investigations. So, if Flynn is pardoned (If he's flipping, he won't be) and is later called to testify against Trump. The same goes with any person who takes a pardon. So he or she has to answer the question. If they perjure themselves in that testimony, they then lose the pardon and can be prosecuted for those original crimes. So, it's not as simple as a pardon.
The problem for me becomes timing. When does he drop the obstruction bomb on Trump? And how many behind Trump also go? Pence? Ryan? (He was in on the Republican platform change) Tillerson? (He had the largest oil deal ever to be made taken away by the sanctions) McConnell? (It's my understanding his PAC has taken a ton from Russians)
I do know this... When it all comes down, it's going to make Watergate and Teapot-Dome look like 12th page news.
5
A US President can only pardon federal crimes, not state crimes. Mueller brought people from the State of NY Attorney General's Office into the investigation last summer.
6
Perhaps the timing is critical. Or circumstance. The NY AG is investigating Manafort, and the POTUS can't pardon him for crimes in NY. But Trump is the big fish. Even if he escapes by pardoning himself, his business will be ruined. His ego will suffer in a way that none of us non-narcissistic sociopathic pathological liar can even imagine. Unfortunately he is already OLD and won't suffer for as many years as he deserves to.
2
How did this guy ever become a three-star general? I'd like an investigation into that Mr Mueller, in addition to everything else.
27
The 800 pound gorilla in the investigation room is Trump's ability and willingness to pardon anyone and everyone who might have damaging information about his campaign and Russia. This has to color every possible scenario of cooperation with Mueller: Work a plea deal for some unrelated crime, keep my name out of it, get yourself or your son a presidential pardon.
With this president there is no upside to giving Mueller anything that might bring him down. To paraphrase Trump himself... you could be standing in the middle of 5th Avenue handing state secrets to the Russians, and as long as you keep my name out of it I'll pardon you like a Thanksgiving turkey.
15
Trump can not pardon Manafort for NY State crimes that the AG is investigating. The evils of Trump will come out, and ruin Trump, in the end.
2
Trump has no power in state courts and Eric Schneiderman waits just offstage.
And he can't pardon anyone who hasn't been convicted. Why do you think Flynn hasn't been indicted yet?
2
Mueller + Schneiderman = No. Way. Out. Ever. The Republican Congress warned Trump any pardons of his co-conspirators would start Impeachment proceedings immediately. So there is no escape for the Putin-indebted liar in chief. On the charges Trump and his grifter family fear most, money-laundering, since those ran through Trump Tower or NYC money-center banks or both, the New York State AG will happily file charges the second Trump dares attempt to fire Mueller or pardon Trump's gang of incompetent alt-reality fellow travelers like Flynn and Son. Not quite no worries time yet, but a Happy New Year End to the sordid Trump crime organization, like their worst perp-walking nightmare, is in sight.
3
Prediction:
If DT draws any real heat out of this investigation he will divert attention; likely with a war.
I don't see anything good coming out of this. Out of him being president, I mean.
26
The most disturbing is M. Flynn was a general – our general willing to sell out our country. If true America has an illegal person sitting in the White House.
Now I wonder how many other military generals who are greedy enough to follow Flynn's path?
34
It's not so much greed as it is naked ambition. These guys didn't get stars on their shoulders by saying truth to authority.
1
The most odd thing about this is that talking to the Russian Ambassador about sanctions or other policy toward Russia during the transition was not wrong. Every incoming administration talks to foreign leaders about the upcoming administration. You don’t think Obama officials told many foreign leaders during the transition that his policies would be different from George Bush, and how they might be different? Of course he did. And, lastly, we know they have the full transcript of the meeting, and we know there was no discussion of collusion or “Thanks for the help” or anything like remotely like that. And, there would have been, if there was collusion. Lastly, no National Security Advisor has told the press of every subject they discussed on a private call with a foreign leader. We’re they all compromised? Absurd.
1
It's not exactly difficult to go back and review protocol that EVERY president followed prior to whatever that is going on in office right now. The collusion, compromise and general shenanigans are right in front of everyone's face.
18
That's a very well thought out explanation of the situation. The Democrats in crisis here are not going to like it one bit.
1
I don't think the question is really about Presidents-elect (or their staffs) from talking to the leaders of other nations, the more important question is what was discussed. More importantly, were agreements or deals made that were detrimental to the interests of the United States.
1
Flynn knows what Trump knows. Flynn can answer the question "What did the President know, and when did he know it?" Dozens of Meetings with Russian and Oligarchs by the Trump Campaign and family members, then lying about it, is Not Normal! Changing the Republican Platform on Ukraine was 1st quid pro quo,trying to remove Magnitsky Sanctions for dirt on HRC, attempting to return Russian Compounds and week 1 of Trump's Administration he asks State department to come up w Unilateral Plan to Remove Russian Sanctions...His criticism of NATO, removal from Paris Accord, distancing our EU allies, Mexico and Cuba all are favorable to Putin. I am confident that Mueller will find the Conspiracy at the end of the obvious Collusion and it goes all the way to the Top...
41
You nailed it. Trump should prepare to kiss his job goodbye.
Mueller knows the story too - he's just working out the sequence of indictments so Trump can't pardon his co-conspirators. Tick tock, tick tock.
2
I can hope that his priorities have been corrected:
1 Humanity
2 Americans
3 Political Party
Perhaps putting the planet before humanity. Not sure...
Although when I say 'Save the planet' what I really mean is 'Keep the planet viable for humans'.
2
Michael Flynn is just one among many other metastasized cells that has its origin in the invasive cancerous-like dis-ease afflicting this White House. In a family, when someone has cancer, the whole family suffers. In a nation, when it's leader does (even if metaphorically) the whole nation suffers. The goal. Remove the cancer. Heal the whole. May the Force be with you Robert S. Mueller. The healing of our great country is depending on you.
32
It is the time that Americans know that the Trump administration and has family members have only one thing in mind, their own interest.
24
We should have voted for Hillary. She has always had only the good of the country as her first priority.
1
Surely you jest.
Her first priority is her pocketbook... which is drying up now that no one is contributing to her foundation because she has nothing left to sell.
1
If anyone thinks this is not important you are not thinking of the Nations security or safety. Russia Meddled, that has been proven. Political beliefs aside, for our Nations sake the truth and depth of this needs to be found.
11
Yet another rat hurrying to get off the sinking ship.
14
Rats "scurry", not "hurry", albeit they sometimes scurry in a hurry.
2
Note to Jared Kushner- "Are we having fun yet?"
15
Check out Seth Abramson's thread on Twitter re: this article. Seems like the NYT has a few timeline issues to correct. Who has it right?
7
EXACTLY
BUT, HER EMAILS?????????
Living here in the shadow of NYC in a republican/freeholder controlled country- you would think the only president there has ever been throughout history was republican.
the first shoe to drop will change things EVERYWHERE... Can't wait.
It will be a Merry, Merry Christmas indeed. Maybe they'll haul off the mirror viewer in chief at his Xmas dinner?
12
" Flynn Facts ". Coming soon, Donald. And NOT in a good way. You were warned, Bigly.
14
He pardons turkeys, doesn't he?
6
The jury's still out on whether he can pardon himself.
2
The Russian left has to get over its paranoia concerning the ongoing investigation into Trump/Russia. We know Putin is just a corrupt kleptocrat with 'small man' inferiority issues with women and the LGBT community
And we don't feel that makes the impeachment and removal of our own corrupt moron any less urgent. As for Flynn, he went to Trump as a revenge fixated loose canon and he faces a lifetime in prison as a traitor. He will flip. So will his son.
14
Your article states “His ties to Russia predated the campaign — he sat with President Vladimir V. Putin at a 2015 event in Moscow...” This event happened in Dec 2015, Trump declared his candidacy Jun 16, 2015. So this point in the article is inaccurate, no? I expect better reporting from the NYT, honestly. It took me 2 minutes and some googling to find these facts, checked against multiple sources.
2
Flynn claimed he had a story to tell and wanted immunity. But Mueller already knew the story. Mueller has the phone surveillance recordings, picked up Flynn on the other end of calls with Kislyak. Recordings authorized by the FISA warrants surveilling Kislyak.
Nervous people today include Trump, Trump Jr.
And Mike Pence. Extremely nervous.
17
I'm sure Mueller has determined that donnytraitor and Co. have been in partnership with Putin and Co. since the late 1990's after the bankruptcies made donnytraitor a pariah borrower to legitimate financial institutions.
PROSECUTE RUSSIAGATE!
9
"Mr. Flynn told Mr. Pence that they [Flynn and "the Russian Ambassador"-Kislyak] had exchanged only holiday greetings"
Why should we believe that Pence did not know about the sanctions discussions? ...because Pence says so? bwahahahah!
13
And when Mueller presents the damning evidence against Trump, do you think the GOP Congress will do anything st all?
2
I am hoping that Mueller has his 'dog trainer' teaching Flynn how to roll-over. It's not a trick for which the breed, generals, are known to perform publicly, but Flynn seems to be a breed all his own.
What type of reward do we give to good dog performances?
Meanwhile, back at Mar A Lago, Trump is practicing, in his best Oprah voice, "I just want to tell you right now, I've been lyin' to ya. Everybody single one of you desperately needs . . . a brand new PARDON! You get a pardon! You get a pardon! You get a pardon! EVERYBODY GETS A BRAND NEW PARDON!"
But, can he pardon himself? We know he's already looked into that.
I'm hoping that Pence goes down with Trump and there is nobody left to pardon our dishonorable Demander in Chief.
14
this comment had me laughing out loud. Thanks for cheering me up :)
2
At the end of Mueller's investigation is the state of New York with lot's of charges to bring against the president. No self pardon is available at the state level.
5
Thank yuh very much. :)
1
Are the rats beginning to leave the sinking ship?
4
They have been leaving for some time now, family matters suddenly important to them.
4
When will the people representing Trump (as well as Trump himself) no longer use the word 'sad' to describe someone's behavior?
It smacks of a petty vindictive schoolboy.
I understand that's his mental wheelhouse, but must it be then quoted in a NYTimes article?
2
Eric: "I hear footsteps on the roof! It must be Santa!"
Don Jr: "Eric there is n... (Melania hammers him in the ribs)"
Donald: "Santa! Yea! See I told you there was no way I was on the naughty list!"
Gen. Kelly: "Ahhhh... I hate to ruin your Christmas but that's Mueller and a team of FBI agents"
10
Wouldnt it be great to wake up and read that the FBI had conducted an early morning raid on the White House? :)
3
The 'Mother of All Perp Walks' is my Christmas Wish for the USA and the world.
2
"Flynn... was a point person on the transition team for dealing with Russia." Flynn, a 3-star general and one of the top guys in the Trump campaign along side of the Russo-Ukranian lover Paul Manafort.
Does anyone know who in the Trump campaign were point for:
- Canada
- Britain
- China
- Germany
- France
- Mexico
- Japan
- Israel...
... to name a few of (in no particular order) of our neighbors, closest allies, trading partners, and the world's largest economies?
Very peculiar. Maybe the emphasis on Russia only is because it leads the world in criminally-minded oligarchs expert in off-shore money laundering and racketeering?
15
Please read through this thread of tweets by attorney and investigative journalist Seth Abramson, which reveals many factual errors in the reporting of this story. Mr. Abramson is about 10 months ahead of you, NYTimes...https://twitter.com/SethAbramson/status/933903761050865665
4
The investigation is a fraud and any outcome should be disregarded as a partisan hit job (Mueller is a NeverTrump Bushie) unless he has fully investigated the Clinton-Obama collusion with Russia.
2
Investigating crimes and enforcing the law is not a fraud. Patriotism and defense of our country is not partisan. And, discredited fairy tales, spun by the poisoned minds at Fox News is no reason to turn your back on your country and ignore attacks by foreign powers. I'm saddened that so many Trump supporters are willing to turn a blind eye to treason and are so willing to sell out the country for hand full of magic beans -- or is it a bowl of borscht?
10
I hate to burst your bubble but Shep Smith on FOX news has already debunked Uranium One and if FOX says there is nothing there, its time to let it go.
5
Russia had a very poor relationship with the Obama administration, culminating in blocking of business deals, sanctions on Russian individuals and interests, and seizure of Russian "diplomatic" sites on American soil and expulsion of Russian "diplomats" (*spies).
Moreover, your comment should probably be removed for promoting the recent bizarre conspiracy theory/cult-like defense that: "DTJ didn't collude, because Obama was the colluder!" This is deliberate misinformation, not a stretch of the imagination.
3
Please correct your story. Flynn's December 2015 dinner with Putin did *not* predate the Trump campaign. The Trump campaign had been underway for some time by then.
8
Trump simply does not understand that there are some problems money cannot fix. Perhaps Robert Mueller is about to school him in such matters. We are a country of laws and no one - no matter how much money - is above the law.
15
Either that or Trump is about to school us.
Would the prosecutor make any deals with someone who is so obviously criminally liable if that person did not have information on someone even more central to the investigation? Probably not. I'd like to see both Michael Flynns punished for their full suite of crimes against the American people, but it would seem that there are bigger fish to fry. Hmm.
14
Nothing would bring me more joy than to see one of the "lock her up" chanters get locked up, except seeing his testimony lead to Trump's impeachment.
8
Both will happen; no way does Flynn senior walk. He does deserve to get reduced time in jail, and lesser time for his son as well, in exchange for truthful testimony ending this travesty of a mal-administration.
3
A former security adviser that received his clearance from Obama is talking with Robert Mueller. Robert Mueller was head of the FBI at the time that the Clinton Foundation received many millions of dollars from other countries and former Uranium 1 officials while Hillary was Secretary of State. This information is being put forward as news that Trump is in Trouble. You desperate Democrats get funnier every day. Someone should take the hilarious comments on the road and do stand up comedy with them.
4
Many of my friends are Republicans and Independants that share the same concerns about this administrations actions and interactions with the Russians that continue to surface almost daily; real estate holdings,
money laundering, and back room deals. It is not a Democrat, Republican or Independant thing, and I and my friends, don't find any of this funny. If Mr. Trump and his surrogates would only distance themselves from Russia and Mr. Putin (which they could have easily done on their recent trip), maybe your statement would seems more credible. For now, the jury is still out. Let's allow Robert Muller and his staff continue their work in finding out the truth for the sake of America, its citizens, and our democracy.
7
Shep Smith on FOX news already debunked Uranium One.
3
Reasonable hypothesis: Mueller is willing to indict Flynn or especially Flynn's son for state crimes that Trump cannot pardon them for--and so Flynn is cooperating. We mustn't forget Trump's strange reluctance to fire or criticize Flynn. Trump would throw his own family under the bus. Trump himself apparently believes Flynn is a danger to him. It is interesting that defense lawyers are required to stop sharing information if doing so poses a conflict of interest, e.g., when one client is cooperating. That increases the likelihood that Flynn and his son are cooperating.
22
A Mike Pence Administation is lurking just under dinner table and ready to take over. After reading these optimistic comments, let let us think again before we make a wish before breaking wishbones from yesterday's leftovers.
9
He's just as...complicit.
4
You're right... the Ryan administration.
Something happened to Mike Flynn to turn him from a smart, valuable and reliable military and administrative asset into a double-dealing cartoon sellout with questionable connections and probable malfeasance.
Perhaps it was the Trump Effect. Maybe now, the general will revert to form and once again offer valuable service to the nation.
10
Flynn was fired for cause (incompetence) from his DIA position by the Obama administration; President Obama explicitly warned Trump about Flynn's incompetence; also during the transition Flynn told Mike Pence he was under DOJ investigation; and yet he was installed as national security director. Then Trump & Pence ignore explicit warnings from DOJ that Flynn could be blackmailed by the Russians, for weeks, until the media heat on Sessions blows up. Then Trump repeatedly tries to threaten/cajole Comey to 'let him go.'
Only conclusion possible: Trump knew Flynn could be dangerous to him if not very close to him in the administration. And when that did not work, tried to keep him from singing. Which Flynn immediately offered to do last spring to Congress in exchange for immunity. Now Mueller clearly has the goods for serious time for the other father and son criminal gang enmeshed in Trumpworld (after Trump and Kushner..do we see a pattern?)
But Trump true believers still claim there was no collusion, and nothing to see here as a 3-star general and the President sold the nation out. Sad.
5
Oh, stop. The guy has been indicted. There is going to be no more information exchanged for any reason.
2
Flynn can easily be slapped with another stack of indictments.
2
No, he hasn't. And no pardons without conviction. Sing, Mikey.
1
We shall see if "cooperation" means truth. One without the other has no value. Flynn has always been a giant disappointment to me., because I am a retired military officer myself. The disappointment has not been because of what he did or said - as yet - the disappointment is for the image he leaves with America about military people. Perhaps he will redeem himself, though I would be surprised, considering the damage already done.
9
House arrest and ankle bracelets are giving some a taste of what extended incarceration might entail. Those who have lived live of luxury surely do not like the idea of being locked up for years on end. They will sing for their freedom, after all they chose to work for the highest bidder in the past. They adhere to no moral standards so providing evidence against their former employers is unlikely to keep them awake at night. The thought of sleeping in a prison cell terrifies the bravest among them.
12
Extremelly unlikely Flynn has anything to report except his own troubles with IRS. so far congress investigation is in a limbo. Muhller waiting for the exposed/indicted players to break down and start to cooperate with investigation. Based on the short list of the suspects (manafort , flynn) i can tell that it won't be enough to implicate Trump.
2
Pitiful progressives. Flynn may be guilty of sins, just like Manafort and Gates. But their sins had nothing to do with Trump or his campaign. Flynn -- Obama's hire remember -- seems problematic but not because of any Trump-Russian collusion, but because he's a loose cannon period.
And the writers should be well advised to note that (as has been pointed out repeatedly) Flynn's contact with the Russian ambassador wasn't illegal. Flynn's issue was not being forthcoming about it with Mike Pence. That was why he was fired.
And --certainly even the most dogmatically and irrationally progressive partisans can recognize that if a special prosecutor is after you and your family for even a trivial offense & you can cut a deal, you will, and the ethical thing to do is to cut ties with any other potential targets of the special prosecutor. We know that Trump's team has been the primary target of this inside the beltway establishment investigation so yes Flynn's attorneys sign out but that means nothing.
Progs + establishment Repubs will keep re-litigating the 2016 election until well into the next decade I assume. Ridiculous. If Mueller has nothing going on 18 months into the Russian - Trump collusion investigation -- if all he's been able to come up with are misdeeds unrelated to the 2016 campaign -- he needs to shut down his investigation and quit giving false hope to anti-Trumpers.
3
As a political writer myself, I see that the writing style of "Ralphie" has major stylistic features in common with the tweets from Trump himself.
2
OH really Robert -- and exactly where do you see a commonality?
Although I do agree that Trump packs a great deal of info into a short & fixed number of characters, unlike most journalists who dither.
1
Yes, it's high time we put a stop to this budding dictatorship currently disgracing our Democracy, and the sooner the better.
18
You were referring to The Obama Administration, weren't you? Nefarious and corrupt to the core............
1
Bill can't possibly be talking about the Obama Administration....because he is writing in the PRESENT TENSE, not THE PAST.
Obama is no longer President. Hillary is a private citizen.
Just in case you didn't know.......
Hard to think that Trump would have told Flynn much of anything of value. He didn't know Flynn, had no reason to share secret past dealings. There was (likely) no collusion in the sense of quid pro quo on anything with Russia. Russia wanted to disrupt our election, feel things out, punish Obama (and Clinton) back for punishing them with sanctions, but it is very unlikely that anyone in America --especially a general --would ever do anything directly against America. Campaigns are interested in dirt, from whatever source, why not?
But Flynn might have overheard something or found some stuff through his sources or lawyers that he can cash in to save his kid.
24
Repeated denials of any contactsand meetings with the Russians until they are exposed through solid investigation. "Russia if you're listening......" All conincidental????
4
There must be something there for the FBI to be very curious about....Being a 3 Star General doesnt make one immune from lying...
We shall find the truth soon.
4
I think some might underestimate how much Trump trusts militarily types, what he'll do to impress them, and just how much he loves to talk about himself.
If he got away with something, he'd want people to know that he's smart.
So he'd tell people. Which is, of course, dumb.
But who knows. Maybe this one time, Trump decided to keep something to himself.
[cough]
1
Tell us again Mr President what a good man Gen Flynn is. Hello Mr President. Are you there?
23
Who's next to start dealing? Jared or Don Jr.?
25
Both..
1
It would be in true Trump fashion for Jared and Don Jr. to throw daddy under the bus. Why wait for an inheritance?
6
I would think that Jared used to visit his father Charles in prison. Charles was imprisoned for tax evasion, illegal campaign contributions, and witness tampering. I wonder if Jared is waking up at night in a cold sweat with nightmares of gang-members passing him around chanting, lock her up.
1
The Narcissist-in-Chief, aka Donald J. Trump, has proven himself to be the most disloyal of presidents to those who served him. He cares nothing for those who helped him get elected and has shown himself willing to throw anyone under the bus to protect himself. Now all the rats are beginning to leave the sinking ship. While I saw no benefit to the United States in Former General Flynn's White House appointment, I now see him as another plug being pulled out of the rump administration's sinking ship. So Sad!
23
Ever since Flynn became the first of Trump's dominos to seek immunity I knew he would tattle at the first opportunity. Couldn't happen to a better guy than the one who used to lead chants of "lock her up." Lock him up, I say, along with that creep son of his if only for spreading the pizzagate rumor.
41
One saving grace is that we can count on self-interested people to act in their own interest. Imagine what Manafort, Gates, Kushner, Eric and Donald Jr. are thinking
17
They are Family, and Sicilian Family law does not permit SUCH thinking.
But this is not 1972.
Trump could be photographed handing state secrets to a laughing Vladimir Putin in broad daylight on 5th avenue, and a rather massive media apparatus will leap into action and call it fake news. And Trump, who loves this abject nihilism of any semblance of presenting truth to the public, will defiantly claim yes, it's all just fake.
And there will be no resignation, no Marine One taking the disgraced president away, and one major news network will run stories about the years most popular names for puppies, or for some red meat, what some black athlete has done recently to not show proper respect, and Trump shall not be moved, and Republicans in Congress shall be silent, realizing that we truly live in a brave new world, and nothing. will. change.
341
OK, phew....so there are other sane people out there.
1
So far you are correct but let's hope his luck will run out or better yet some of his deplorables will ante up.
2
And I thought I was pessimistic.
But I’m not this pessimistic! Why not? Mueller and his Crew!
Yes, Fox will still call things fake news. But a reckoning is coming!
2
If what Flynn did isn't Treason what is ?
11
Happy Thanksgiving, Prez Trump. Your goose is cooked!
21
"Humpty Trumpty had a great fall and and all the kings horses could not put Trumpty back togather again."
This is the beginning. This country is built on laws and laws and rules of order will prevail.
18
It's MUELLER time!
25
I'll drink to that!! Even a bottle of that second-rate Millers Beer.
1
A movie would have the downfall of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin taking over the United States, while Congress stands by like dummies exclaiming
"We had no idea! Not our fault!"
Not far off, is it? Well, The Donald always has loved, loved, loved the screen....hugely.
7
It is not a movie. It is the new reality. It is the fake fake-news.
It ain't over until its over
5
I am so sick and tired of this Russian nonsense. It is no longer even news worthy. There are so many other things on which we should focus. The distraction away from all that is wrong and all that is right is much more important than the Russians.
3
"I am so sick and tired of this Russian nonsense. It is no longer even news worthy."....What a completely odd statement. The countries former National Security Adviser is under indictment for his dealings with a foreign government and that it is no big deal? What would be a big deal?
17
There's something more important than whether our democratic process was interfered with by a hostile nation and with the support of the president?
Huh.
3
Yea. We should just let Russia elect our president from now on, anyway. Saves us all that election-night angst.
2
From the Guy who chanted Lock Her Up when Hillary Clinton's name was mentioned when he has some skin in the game, the Machismo goes out the door.When he is threatened with jail time he is willing to sing like a canary to save his hide.I guess the thought of fellow prisoners chanting Lock Her Up while he was dining in the prison mess hall was just too much for him to endure.With Flynn turning states evidence it's only a matter of time before the White House looks like the HMS Bounty captained by a guy name Blyth.
11
The headline says "A Split From Trump Indicates That Flynn Is Moving to Cooperate With Mueller".
The article says: "The notification alone does not prove that Mr. Flynn is cooperating with Mr. Mueller."
So which is it?
4
Both. Check the definitions of "indicate" and "prove". The two are not synonymous - nor mutually exclusive.
An indication is not a proof. But it sure is better than nothing.
The article does not support the headline. The headline may be accurate, but the author of the article does not know that. The headline is an overstatement, an exaggeration. Anyone who skims the headlines or scans the article quickly will be misinformed. There is an ethical issue here.
While indeed, this is just a strong indication that Flynn is at least talking about cooperating with Mueller, the proof is yet to come.
But to me it seems much more likely than ... oh, let's see ... SoS Clinton personally cutting a deal with the Russians to give them all of our uranium.
1
Shep Smith of FOX news has already debunked Uranium One. End of story.
1
We KNOW Facebook and Twitter colluded, let's start there...
5
I hope he sings like a lark!!!
8
I'll bet he has a story to tell......
"Once upon a time.... before everyone was guilty......"
6
The charges against Manafort and Gates include conspiracy
5
Flynn retweeted the fake news story that the Clintons ran a pedophile ring out of a pizzeria. A fine mind at work . Seems they don't make 3 Star General National Security Advisors the way they used to. Alas, Trump has little to worry about. The caliber of people he hired makes anything they say suspect. It's the perfect plan.
279
Like son, like father. Remember that it was Flynn’s son who started the whole ball rolling around “Pizza Gate”.
6
There are many times more three and four star generals now than during WWII, why?
4
Wow. Do a second of research on the most basic point of the investigation - Hillary Clinton has nothing to do with Muller's investigation. Here are the actual, DOJ-authorized areas of Muller's investigation:
"... a) ANY links between Russia and Trump's campaign, b) ANY new matters that arise from that investigation, and c) ANY attempts to hinder the probe."
Get this basic fact right NYT. We rely on you.
9
Yup, this administration led by the most incompetent and despicable president is looking worse and worse now with Russian agents and all. What did the honorable general said at the GOP convention again? Ah yes: "Lock her up!" Well, now t's time to lock them all up!
11
You can bet that Flynn is singing like a canary.
6
I don’t believe that General Flynn will betray his code of Honor & Country, it’s too ingrained in his Military bearing. He would rather take the rap then betray the Commander in Chief. His son may be the kink in his armor.I still feel Flynn will fall on his sword, rather then spill the beans.
1
And yet he would betray his country? His alleged crimes were committed before Trump was in office and before Flynn was a member of the White House staff. He doesn't act like a man of honor given his behavior. Do not neglect that he was fired for deceiving the Vice-President
3
He will betray his country if he does not tell the truth.
3
Flynn is already a liar who has betrayed his country, he has no honor.
1
Is anyone besides hopeful liberals tired of this yet? You all have thrown all your eggs in the collusion basket, and really, not much is coming out of this, mostly a couple of crimes before the Trump campaign ever even started when these players weren’t even part of the Trump world. I am starting to feel sorry for liberals, I really do think we may see 8 years of a Trump presidency-look at the stock market or unemployment rate lately?? Your “long national nightmare” (wink wink) is gonna be an 8 year dream.
2
Don't think so and I am not a liberal. The crook in the White House needs to go.
1
Check back with us in a few months, Doc.
4
Don't bother feeling sorry for Liberals. Us snowflakes know there are plenty of rotten Trump eggs. What we might be short on is the patience to sort out which rotten eggs go in which baskets.
There are so very many scandals to choose from...
10
No doubt Robert Mueller must have something that makes Michael Flynn fret. What the public knows about Flynn's dealings may just be the tip of the iceberg.
Although his lawyer denied the allegation, Flynn is said to have discussed about abducting the Turkish cleric in US exile, Fethullah Gulen, whom Erdogan blames for orchestrating the 2016 botched coup, and having him delivered to Turkey for $15 million. Flynn and Turkish representatives are said to have met in September and mid-December last year to discuss the matter. He had also tried to push for Gulen's return to Turkey during his short time as White House national security adviser.
If the allegation is true, it just shows how he abused his closeness to Trump to make criminal deals.
23
If the "allegation" isn't true, then what, j. von?
@Albert: We have all become used to hearing Trump and Co. deny all of their bad behavior, and it is clear that simply denying that they engaged in any wrongdoing is enough for a few people to believe them.
The rest of us, however, who watched as more than a dozen women came forward to accuse Donald Trump of sexual assault, only to hear him deny, deny, and deny the allegations, are fed up with his denials. We have all seen him say or do things that he later pretends did not happen. He thinks the American people are idiots, marks to be fooled by con men like himself.
We are fed up with all of the denials coming out of the Republican camp. We do not believe them. We want proof that they either did or did not engage in criminal behavior.
The word of a liar is worth nothing, and we all have seen Trump and Co. lie enough to know that anything they say is suspect. Denials from the lips of Trump or anyone involved with him are not enough.
5
Flynn isn’t in trouble because of collusion with the Russians. Nobody under investigation by Mueller is in trouble for collusion with the Russians. During Muellers investigation, wrong doings unrelated to Russian election tampering were found.
There isn’t going to be any proof of collusion. Russia had no reason to help Trump. Nobody gave Trump a chance to win. That includes the Russians. Why help someone that will lose for sure. Just no upside on that.
Wisconsin voted for Cruz in the primary by a large margin. We don’t like Trump. But we voted for him anyway in the election because Clinton was worse. Russia had nothing to do with this.
16
Check out Seth Abramson on Twitter. You may be surprised.
3
Jim - Sorry to burst your bubble, but Putin despised (and feared) Clinton and had Russian intelligence interfere with the election on Trump's behalf just to hurt Clinton. True, the Russians didn't think it would work - but it did. Seventeen US intelligence agencies agree that the Russians interfered with our election. But of course (respectfully), you know more than them.
13
If only Mr. Mueller had the benefit of your foresight.
In the meantime he'll have to muddle on with, you know, the actual law.
10
The best solution is for Trump to fire Mueller and clean house at the FBI. Putin is correct- America is embarrassing itself.
2
America isn’t “embarrassing herself”. Trump is the embarrassment.
4
Right! Drain the swamp summore and replace the FBI with more cronies like Sessions and and the misfits in this administration. Way to go.
3
look up the "saturday night massacre" then get back to us.
6
Today, I am thankful for Robert Mueller.
49
Flynn could be the key to indict Trump, and Jared, and little Don, and Pence..... Could this be Christmas present we have all been waiting for? Trump doesn't deserve the title of President as he has only worked to divide America for his own gain. Go Mueller!
43
Not gonna happen but the American citizens are being stuck with Muellers fishing expedition and both sides will pay while he tools around in his old age, hoping to still be relevant,
Problem is however, he (Mueller) might be a little involved with the Uranium One deal himself since he was the one that delivered it to the Russians. All of you people must read more and keep up.
Shep Smith has already debunked Uranium One on FOX news. And I have read all about Uranium One and I find it curious that NO ONE ever mentions the names of the 9 people that signed off. Only Hillary gets mentioned. Can you name all of the people who signed off on the deal?
2
High time congress buttresses American Democracy by instituting checks against Trumpian power to pardon. Reading comments from so-called "patriots" like Dingo in the thread makes violently ill.
These "Americans" are willing the cancer eating away at the core of the Constitution with nothing less than glee.
People like Flynn, Trump really stand for nothing except filling their Caribbean accounts.
Is there really anything more unAmerican than not paying your fair share of taxes? Sure : taking from an adversary like Russia and padding your own nest.
23
Just a few years ago all that is happening around Trump would have created a National Revolt from all sides.
Today we are another Banana Republic and getting used to it.
28
Boil the frog.
From the perspective of a Dem presidential candidate in 2020, this type of coverage is a huge gamble. If Trump is cleared, he will almost certainly get a second term. Very few people care about Flynn. He might flip and until then it makes good strategic sense for Dems to stay quiet. If nothing comes out of it, Trump will use this as ammunition.
32
The issue of politics should not enter into the process of Justice Being Done and being seen to be done.
I made that up myself.
With the best words.
God save our neighbours.
Where is She?
3
These political calculations should not determine whether there is an investigation or where it leads.
If Trump wins in 2020, it will be hard to convince me that the results weren't hacked or tampered with.
6
After the Trump base calculates the extra taxes they will have to pay and come to terms with the loss of health insurance, and get stuck with the extra debt for the big beautiful wall not to mention private jet costs for the in group and associated fashionistas...no, I think no second term for the monster, who will have garnered his billions in the first 4 years.
4
So grateful on this day after Thanksgiving for this news. Mueller is quietly at work.
I clearly remember Watergate. There are many similarities.
18
While I'm pleased with this news, it's just a distraction from reality which is that president Koch, Heritage & the Federalist Society are implementing their agenda which rigs every institution in the country to serve their ideology. They have planned this New Gilded Age for decades and are now in a position to put it in place. As a Canadian with great admiration for the America I knew I have one question. When will Americans take their country back from the band of libertarian billionaires that currently own & run it?
30
If Flynn, Jr.'s fate is a motivation for Flynn, Sr. to cooperate, I wouldn't be surprised if the investigative heat turns up on Don, Jr. and Jared. Perhaps even Donald Trump has some feelings for his family. Or perhaps they'll flip when they realize he doesn't.
8
Looks to me like the Trumpettes are forming a circular firing squad. Anticipating this is like smelling Gramma's mincemeat pie; you can almost, but not quite, taste it. Exquisite.
11
Retired General Flynn should be tried in military court on charges of treason! His support of RT by way of being a pundit is a shameful disgrace to all USA troops. Putin's desire to show the USA to be nothing more than a hollowed out hypocritical nation is advanced by Flynn's activities on Russia's behalf.
Can anybody imagine Trump-Pence accepting this same behavior from retired military personnel who do not support them?
16
What TREASON, exactly. He was in Private Business when these accusations arose, um after Trump accidentally "won."
Find the timing and real story at www.newsbud.com and Sibel Edmonds
I almost felt sorry for Flynn and then I remember his rabid screaming of "lock her up, lock her up" at the Republican convention. Flynn deserves no pity or mercy. He's another criminal trying to deflect his guilt on innocent people like he and Trump have tried incessantly to do to Hilary. Smart people didn't buy it then and don't buy it now.
17
Where there is smoke, there is fire. A blind person could see that Trump ran a dirty campaign, that he thinks blatant lying is an okay thing to do, and that winning at any cost is acceptable practice.
Say what you will about the Democratic Party, but people like Trump and his legions would never fit into the Democratic platform.
Flynn is no fool. He is bailing out of a sinking ship. Others will follow.
10
I'm awaiting both the book and movie version of the disease that has infected our country due to arrogance and greed....called "Drain the Swamp." It will be translated into Russian and a box office hit in both countries.
10
The tide of righteousness has turned, th walls are now closing in on the president. Yet, in his juvenile way, the president will continue to lash out at his perceived enemies until everything around him is destroyed.
11
History repeats itself when those making history are too ignorant and too unwilling to learn from past mistakes. Mr Trump is Ignorance personified. He learned nothing from Richard M. Nixon's sordid foray into illegal activity. How sad that we have to live with Trump's ignorant appointments to his administration which will injure the United States for decades hence.
11
President Obama fired Mr. Flynn near the end of his term. It was probably because of Flynn's Russian ties and his willingness to sell America out for personal gain.
Mr. Flynn supported The Con Don and helped put The Robber Barons in charge of OUR government.
Another life-long government "military welfare queen" who bit the hand that fed him. Those who scream the loudest about the "terrible" government are the ones who have benefited the most. Plain old crooks.
You Go, Investigator Mueller. All I want for this holiday season is the Robber Barons and Radical religionists OUT of MY governments at every level. BEFORE they can start WW3.
91
As much as I dislike Flynn, he was not fired near the end of the Obama term. It was April 2014, which is just three months past the halfway mark for that final term. The public evidence also does not support the idea that he was already involved with the Russians, which is one reason why his subsequent behavior is genuinely weird. I would not make a bet on non-involvement, but nothing has been turned up so far to demonstrate anything except a very outspoken, patriotic military man until 2015. None of that changes the reality of his conduct since then. Personally, I think it is almost treason. As a military man with his long involvement in security and intelligence matters, he more than many, had reason to stay well away from Russia and Turkey. Supporting Trump, who can most charitably be described as erratic and ill informed, seemed like payback to Pres. Obama via Hillary Clinton's presidential bid.
2
Mueller and his Crew are not only doggedly pursuing their quarry. They seem to be using brilliant tactics to do so.
We can only glimpse and guess. But consider this: The news that Flynn’s lawyer told the Trump team of lawyers late on the day before Thanksgiving means a Looooooong Weekend for the STEW to simmer. A long weekend for all the players in Mueller’s crosshairs to worry and wonder. As the Pressure Cooker drives the political temperature higher and higher.
Think how the first indictments came. Surprising everyone. Especially when that news was followed by information that someone had already flipped!
So it can’t be just an accident that this news came on Thanksgiving. Can it?
There is just too much Coinkydink here! Across the board. For example, too many Russian connections. How far does all this go back? We know the Russians were arranging for Trump to spend time in Russia (under their observation, paid for by the KGB-allied Intourist Agency) back in the 80’s. And there’s suspicion his then first wife and he were surveilled by the KGB Putin worked for then. (One has to wonder if the KGB learned Trump’s sexual proclivities at that time. And did they have anything to do with future women/wives? Could Mueller’s crew neglect that thought if ‘little me’ has it?)
Ah... the smell of the Stew...
19
This act continues the suggestion that Trump is an illegal POTUS. Treasonous
2
Please adress Seth Abramson's concerns on Twitter.
But hey -- the good news is that the steps continue in the right direction. Go Mueller!
10
I am hopeful here, but I'm keeping it under control. No one knows how this will play out, but if Flynn co-operates then others who have information will probably testify as well. Something has to give and soon. The Trump Administration and the Republicans in Congress are tearing apart our policy structure, rigging our judicial system, creating a tax cut to benefit themselves and their donors, and quite possibly working for and with an unfriendly foreign power. America will not stand for a long period of time under such tactics. Things are already beginning to fall apart. We need to know just how far the Russian influence extends through the Trump campaign, family, administration and Congress.
489
If anybody truly understands how dangrous this administration is to our Judicial System, I feel certain Mueller and his Crew know and keep that in mind every single day - as they work to right the Ship of State.
Prayers for the safety and well-being of all working on this historic investigation.
9
I couldn't have said it better, Meg. I worry day and night about everything that you worry about, too. It doesn't seem that Trump and his cronies like the word, "Democracy".
9
...and let's add degrading the environment to the list of awful things the Administration is doing while Congress does nothing to stop it.
11
Trump is already the worst thing that has happened to our Country. Please take him down...................so we can begin healing.
44
And the walls come tumbling down. This means they are getting closer and the heat is turning up. The sooner Trump is out of office the better. Better for America. Better for the world.
19
Consider Pence in office instead. Not sure that is better. He may be more effective in enacting a conservative agenda.
6
I agree that Pence would be worse. Hopefully (x2) that Ds retake House and, thereby control grumpy Trumpie legislatively. I am very biased: I want trump* humiliated.
2
Because it's Flynn I'm hoping they've got Pence too. If the Democrats pull it together in 2018 and win the House the speaker could hold the spot until an election.
1
Here's hoping that "Sing like Flynn" becomes a common expression with law enforcement during interrogations.
9
I'm cautiously optimistic. Or is "optimistic" the right word; i.e., as opposed to "dread"? I must sort this out. I dread the fact that it can be proven our President had knowledge -or tacit approval- of collusion with our mortal enemy. I'm optimistic that a year or too from now I might see justice done ... and feel safer.
15
Another metric in the Flynn investigation includes and aside from possible prosecution of Flynn's son. Flynn a former three star US Army general is expose to military prosecution under the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice). That said, Flynn could loose his military retirement benefits to include retirement health care for he and wife plus the lost of monthly income. Flynn would be the highest military officer in decades or more to fall within the confines of prosecution for "crimes against the US"..as possibly be alleged.
Men like Flynn are trained to be "loyal"..to follow the dictates of leaders; yet Trump would "sell his mother" type loyalty and nod doubt Trump will easily cut Flynn away from Trump flock.
And lastly, Flynn's contemplates like General Stan McCrystal, General Ray Odierno and others no doubt if asked would encourage Flynn to "tell the truth".
LTC US Army
4
It seems like he's already made quite a bit of money being a traitor. Maybe they don't need the pension after all. Anyway he'll be in jail so no rent to pay.
1
The sooner Trump is arrested, the sooner the GOP can get on with the business of turning the US into a banana republic of 1 percent haves, and 99 percent have nots.
And the DNC can get on with pretending they are fighting that destruction of our middle class and democracy.
4
The day when Bob Mueller steps before a podium to announce his findings would probably have a bigger audience than the moon landing....
We should be thankful for Bob Mueller, he might be the only person who can save this country.....
46
It looks like Trump will likely need to pardon a number of turkeys other than Drumstick and Wishbone if he hopes to survive all this.
7
When a president ensures others are in the room to testify to what he said you might graciously assume he has nothing to hide. When he clears the room, as he did when allegedly requesting that former FBI Director Comey "go easy" on Michael Flynn - well, there are no gracious assumptions to be made - that's evidence of the "corrupt intent" that legally underpins the prosecution of an obstruction of justice charge.
Mr. Comey knew just what was being asked and, immediately, wrote it all down, preserving Trump's illegal request to influence the outcome of an ongoing FBI investigation. The path from there to Trump knowing exactly what Flynn could (and now may well) testify to is at the nexus of an embarrassment of riches for Mueller's team - and, we can hope, the return to moral health of our country.
17
Funny how Comey didn't have anything written down from his interview with Hillary during his investigation of her, but he did have her letter of exoneration written many weeks before.
Here we go. But but but Hillary. But but but obama. Hillary isn't president, remember?
2
What's even funnier is that Trump himself triggered the appointment of Robert Mueller through his own actions (with the help of hapless Jared Kushner) and you're here with ineffective deflections about Hillary.
The Trumpian fifteen minutes of fame are up, and have been since that day; now it just has to come out in a picture book as words seem a bridge too far for some.
Flynn can flip like a circus acrobat but if there is no collusion involving DJT, there is no collusion. In fact it was the Republican Party and later the Democratic Party that PAID Russian operatives to get dirt on Trump.
But whatever. Liberals don't get your hopes up too high. Remember what happened on election night and that left you all crying.
2
This isn’t just about DIRT. It’s about the corruption of an entire administration that starts at the top. Exactly what was promised to Flynn, Zinke, Pruitt and the other members of Trump’s posse? It isn’t just about Russia. It’s about the back door deals that these people have made to turn this country into a Dark Money oligarchy.
7
Flynn has too much to lose to resist cooperating with the Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller. Flynn's legal fees were astronomical and not a guarantee against a lengthy prison term if he were prosecuted.
5
Looks like someone's not going to get a pardon from Donald Trump.
Which means he wasn't expecting one.
This has the potential to become very interesting.
8
This is hopeful news. Cause for Thanksgiving, from my point of view.
Conflict is the intentional camouflage of incompetence, but it also does a good job of distracting attention from criminal behavior.
The smoking gun is within reach, and people who love this country should stay on message: "Mr. President, show us your tax returns."
13
I predicted ( virtual pat on the back ) as soon as Flynn was fired\resigned that he would be the domino that falls ( especially to protect his son ) and brings down a Presidency.
It is now just a matter of time.
6
Your prediction is a pretty safe bet. The time period will be seven years from now when Pence becomes President. The Trump Presidency will then come down. Keep on patting yourself.
Remember there are a broad swath of politicians who are ready to ignore the most egregious crimes in order to further their agenda. There is still a cult of believers (see Dowds brother's column) who will blindly follow Trump without regard for reason and the rule of law but with passion of mob that will resist regardless of the facts and evidence.
There is no reason to hope that this nightmare will end, until the narrative of Trump that suits his enablers changes.
2
Let's not forget, the only time Flynn got fired, was under Trump. Not that slap-on-wrist pseudo press-firing by Obama, complete with off-the-record unsolicited advice to incoming prez about how bad a boy Flynn really was, but a real firing with accompanying revocation of security.
So, scratch this news as anything even resembling bad news for Trump. To the contrary, it's most likely a tactic to negotiate a pardon (fuhget it!!).
The other possibility might be that Flynn wants to spill goods on Obama, who, don't forget, let him keep his security clearance, for reasons only the two of them know. Among them, most surely, Flynn's potential to embarrass Trump, and who knows, perhaps lucrative speaking contracts post-presidency?
It makes sense doesn't it, that if Flynn starts to sing on his Obama-days, the first order of business would be to distance himself from Trump? In which case, a might fine move, one worthy of keeping that wishful-thinking pardon alive and kicking for a future date.
At any rate, Mueller's got his plate full, that much we can all agree on. Stay tuned therefore, we must.
1
Whatever this guy is smoking I'll have it..
fuhgeddaboudit
Interesting that Comey's firing is mentioned in this article, but not Sally Q. Yates' firing. And so goes the systemic erasing of women's heroic sacrifices from history...
10
To be fair it's an article about Flynn which involves a new development.
These constant "Maybe This Maybe That" reports is equal to filling up empty space. As they said some 50 years ago "Show me the Facts and Nothing but the Facts."
I am concerned that the sufferers of Trump Derangement Syndrome are going to become completely unhinged if Trump, in the end remains unscathed. I realize to the Lunatic Left, there is nothing that could occur that would leave Trump unscathed...he is already "scathed", and its only the technicalities they are waiting on and the actual impeachment, but the real world moves on out here regardless.
You radical left readers of this historical publication can rest assured that if Democrats take back the house during Trump's presidency, they will impeach him, regardless of facts, because facts are not the issue, Trump is the issue in the twisted mind of a TDS sufferer.
I'm not sure whats better, keeping you folks "on the chain" with these drip-drop issues dragging out, or ending all of this, leaving Trump in the White House, which is the likely eventuality. The former is painful and aggravating to your friends, family and fellow citizens not suffering from TDS; the latter is downright frightening because TDS, unchained...is deadly.
I lived through Watergate. No one left or right wins when the President falls. The whole country aches.
4
The noose closes, slowly but certainly. Mueller seems, as would be reasonable, to be starting with the small fry and working his way up.
Whether Flynn is actively cooperating with Mueller yet may be less important; it seems unavoidable that he will at some point, after all his son could face prison as well, and perhaps a few other people he knows.
This must be a new level of discomfort for Trump. He knows how much Flynn knows about him, and its important enough that he tried to get Comey to stop investigating Flynn. And like Flynn, Trump has a son, daughter & son-in-law to think about.
If Trump doesn't do his usual tweet-a-thon over this, it would seem a sign that it's getting too close and too dangerous; even Trump must have some level of danger at which he shuts up.
Pence becomes more important as Trump's fate becomes more certain. Many have said if Trump is out, Pence would be as bad of a Pres in many ways. Yet Flynn would have knowledge that Pence too was aware of Russian contacts & meetings, so it seems unclear whether Pence would survive.
As Arte said on Rowan & Martin Laugh-in; "Interesting, verrry interesting".
313
And if Pence is out, we get Speaker Ryan as the next in line. He is neither insane, nor likely to have skeletons in his closet, but he is a radical conservative with legislative skills. He can also sound reasonable. While I seriously doubt Trump will be impeached, or resign, this situation is a case of "damned if you do, and damned if you don't."
4
Don't forget his own frequent rejoinder to "Interesting, verrry interesting..."
"But stupid!"
1
Donald Trump is a traitor to this country, a fraud, demagogue, and clown. Anyone still backing is no better.
123
I agree with Mr. Ford. The hopeless thing about President Trump is that anyone still supports him.
7
I believe that Flynn is concerned with avoiding prison time for his son and so is doing everything he can to expose DJT for the crook he really is. I also believe that this will be bigger than Watergate and possibly the worst thing that could have happened to our country.
75
Good luck with that Jordan but don't lose any sleep over it, it might not work out for you any better than the election did.
Oh, the weather outside is brightening
Mueller's work to Trump is frightening,
Information is sure to flow,
Soon we'll know! Soon we'll know! Soon we'll know!
It doesn't show signs of stopping,
Donald's mess Lawyer Cobb is mopping,
So how low did Trump and Flynn go?
Soon we'll know! Soon we'll know! Soon we'll know!
When Mueller finally shows his hand,
How Trump will hate it in the spotlight.
There he has no choice but to stand,
While Justice is meted out right!
Oh, the fire is quickly heating,
Trump's fate he'll soon be meeting,
And his top he's sure to blow,
Soon we'll know! Soon we'll know! Soon we'll know.
391
Brilliant - just sang it out loud to my family. Bravo!
6
Sing along, everyone! That is just great, Glen Thanks!
6
Bravo! The best!
5
I would also add that all these people who will be found guilty should be made to pay for their jail stays.
54
Until he is removed from office Trump has the power to pardon anyone, maybe even himself. Thus no indictments should be made until after Trump is removed from office.
Just collect all their worldly possessions on the way in!
No, he doesn't--Presidential pardon does not extend to state crimes, only federal. Mueller has been working with NY State AG Eric Schneiderman:
"The downside for Trump is that his presidential pardon power does not extend to state crimes — for the same reasons that underlie the dual sovereignty principle. Mueller, of course, knows this, and may be setting up the infrastructure to allow Schneiderman to pursue any prosecutions in the event he can’t – or to conduct them simultaneously."
http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/the-administration/348989-trump-ma...
The trump tactic of employing his kids as staffers isn't working out so well for Flynn, and it looks like Flynn may take the hit to protect his son. Would trump do the same for Jr. and Jared, or will they have to fend for themselves? It will be interesting to watch that unfold.
91
Three star general....a remarkable career by any standard.......an unblemished reputation......one bad judgement call to join hands with the trump administration.....an administration that is taking the US down to a second rate world power.....ok, maybe more than one bad judgement call but nevertheless Flynn could have stayed retired were it not for joining hands with this perversion of a president. What fun it will be to watch when Mueller's team reaches the footsteps of the White House.
We lived through Watergate. On that June day when the WSJ and NYT carried the botched break in, I turned to Carl Klemme of Morgan 23 Wall and said, this is Nixon. I just knew it.
Today it's Putin et al. And DJT may believe he can slide by with his machinations and endless diversionary noises and dodges.
We are skating close to the edge of the ice, and the water is cold. China knows. North Korea was a mess in 1950. Russia knew. Worms are the least of it. When they have nothing to lose, they are cornered. Hatred of Japan is lasting. But North Korea is something else.
Flynn and his son are doomed. The nation is doomed if we cannot attract the most able and willing to serve. Our government is a mess.
Our best journalists do not remember. Sen Sam Ervin and Howard Baker are gone. It was not about party then.
It's not about party now. Our problems worsen with time and warming. We are in a staggering mess.
Donald Trump were he honest would be inadequate. The Clintons are a mess. The Bush family is finished. McCain, McConnell, Hatch, Ryan, Romney, these men and so many others just hang on.
We need the best - and we need them now.
No one has the answers... right now. But we must start with the questions.
We do not have leaders willing to ask the right questions... and take the dialogue to the floor.
What's happened to us?
Are we so well off that we no longer think?
83
I share all of your thoughts and sentiments. We need a hero. Now. I have to take hope in Mueller and his pursuit of the facts. It's just hard to be patient when all seems so lost. Putin and his thugs (aka, Oligarchs - ha! nice name) are at the heart of this, as has been clarified in several reports. In the meantime, I'll keep reading the Times, the New Yorker, listen to Terry Gross and a few other good podcasts, and watch a few people on MSNBC to keep up - waiting for Mueller. My husband has a shirt that says, "It's Mueller time!" - can't wait.
1
Responding to S B Lewis : This country is going to have its day of reckoning probably sometime next year when this debacle of a 2016 election pours forth.
We, as a country, must come to terms with how got here and, in my view, the culprit is money. Citizens United blew the door open on "as much money it takes to finance the candidate that will do my bidding." It is always about the money. Whether it is funding an election or a person in the military with high level Intel clearance committing treason, it is always the money.
Among other things, campaign finance reform must take precedence so that people who, in their era, were scrupulous and ethical such as Sam Ervin and Howard Baker can come forward. Current examples are individuals such as Elizabeth Warren and Democratic VP candidate Tim Kane to name two will put this country first and not the crackpot, yes crackpot, we have in the Oval office right now who is completely unacceptable (a 70 year old Twittering at 5:00 am...I ask you...really?) on every level. We, as a country a far, far better than this! And I hope that when the day of reckoning comes, American patriots will step up to the plate.
6
To your last question, yes. I've oft asked friends "What would it take for us to take to the streets?" No one, including me, can answer. WE are a mess.
1
"Lock her up" is now trying to avoid "lock me up". However, if that catches the big fish I'd rather see him free than "the Donald"
33
This article has a number of details wrong, in a way that subtly distorts the picture of what's going on.
For example, you state Flynn was pro-Russia since before he joined the Trump campaign. However, as of 2014, Flynn was fairly Russia-phobic (at least according to public statements). In 2015, Flynn was ALREADY part of Trump's campaign. And all of a sudden he was accepting cash payments from Russian entities and attending dinners with Putin.
You state Trump fired Flynn for speaking to the Russian ambassador during the transition. That is not correct. Trump publicly praised Flynn for speaking to the Russian ambassador during the transition. Trump only fired Flynn weeks later at VP Pence's insistence after it became known publicly that Flynn had lied directly to Pence.
None of these points is incriminating in itself, but together these corrections (and many others) paint quite a different picture from what's described in your article.
A very good summary of the errors in this article, and their significance, has been laid out on Twitter by Seth Abramson.
12
It cannot be said enough, Pence is not, and was not, an innocent bystander in this scandal. He expressed shock and dismay over Flynn’s transgressions but then went ahead and lied himself about what he knew about Flynn’s lies. He was the head of the transition team; his claims that he didn’t know what was going on defies logic.
7
It's close enough to show where the Trump train is headed - all the way back to the scene of the crime.
“fairly Russia phobic” - Flynn?
And sexual predators also seem to be oh, so moralistic!
Appearances do not always tell the whole story.
Why would Flynn take a deal when he has leverage? Doesn’t Vladimir Putin get detailed information regarding the Special Counsel’s organization? I would assume Putin directed Alexander Bortnikov and the FSB to tap every phone and intercept every email of anyone associated with the offices of the Special Counsel. I would assume the FSB is listening to the conversations of the people who work in the Special Counsel’s organization as well as their relatives and the lawyers for people interviewed by the Special Counsel. Hasn’t the FSB and Putin mapped out what Mueller knows and does not know? President Trump can pardon Flynn at any point. If all of this is true, why would Flynn take a deal?
2
Mr Flynn should watch his back - with people like Trump and Putin he could end up floating in the Potomac River
No worries, I'm sure the special council has him tucked safely away in his back pocket
2
Flynn would take a deal because he knows he can't trust Trump to pardon him. As the chips fall and all the culprits are trying to save their own skins, there is no such thing as trust.
Trump pardoning Flynn will likely result in his impeachment.
I believe that's the sound of the other shoe falling.
34
You stole my thunder.
Is Flynn flipping?
You bet he is.
The TELL is Flynn's concern about charges against his son.
Mueller would not offer Flynn a sweetheart deal if he could not connect the dots to Trump. Flynn's transgressions are far too serious.
Trump was forewarned.
President Obama warned Trump not to select Flynn as NSA.
Sally Yates warned Trump about Flynn. (Meeting with Russian to discuss election interference sanctions.)
Trump ignores warnings (Fires Yates, Comey, etc.).
It's the Trump playbook (deny, deny, deny) versus the Mueller playbook (facts and indisputable evidence).
Trump and his administartion are toast.......burnt toast!
87
He is flipping before the flopping.
John Oliver has pointed out that "Whataboutism" is the favored response of Trump and his cult to accusations of impropriety (or worse). That is, they reply with "Obama did this", "Hillary did that", and "What about...(you name it)" to distract away from the subject at hand. And on this site, we see all the Trumpers doing exactly that. They want to keep their blinders on and defend their hero at all costs. Well, that won't work much longer, Trumpers, regardless of what Fox and Friends or Sean Hannity might be telling you. They're closing in on him, and I can hardly wait for all of you to eat crow.
87
Exactly. The Trump supporters are suckling the right wing Russian influenced propaganda machine with Faux News and Breitbart leading the way. I will never ever understand what these folks see in Trump. He is a wretched human being.
2
The abrogation of the cooperation agreement reveals a conflict of interest between the parties. Reporting indicates that documents and testimony about Flynn have been subpoenaed from the White House by the Special Counsel. It is just as likely that White House cooperation with Mueller concerning Flynn caused the breach in cooperation between those parties.
My bet is that Trump is burying Flynn, and that Flynn has little to implicate Trump criminally.
5
What's really sad about this guy Flynn is that he comes from a very humble background and seems to have a good record as a serviceman specializing in military intelligence.
Somewhere along the way he decided to go for the brass ring (known as wealth) and decided to get it whatever it took. I'm guessing that the Russians targeted this man early on. He was a great "get" because of his knowledge about the US intel business and his career in it. And in time, he got in deeper and deeper in exchange for money.
Even got his kid involved in that mess. He surely will be found to have been treasonous.
522
My father came from a very humble background. And was a pillar of ethical behavior. Morality starts early in life. It doesn’t just “happen” that someone is ready to sell out their country “along the way” - it was likely evident early enough for the Russians to target.
Sorry, I’m not sad at all. Except sad for my country!
8
You have to wonder how much Intel Flynn gave away for a few measely rubles.
3
Am thinking that initially it wasn't the potential money that motivated Flynn...but the arrogance of Flynn and contempt he felt for his superiors that didn't value his superior insight. Eventually he decided to pack up his marbles and take his game elsewhere.
4
So Mr. Trump denied anyone in his orbit during the campaign or the transition and after had any contacts with Russian operatives. He is on record nine times with these denials and sided with Putin over his own intelligence agencies calling the inquiries a hoax and a witch hunt.
We now have a total of 12 people, three of which have been indicted having had contact with Russians, including but not limited to Gen. Flynn, Jeff Sessions, Jared Kushner and Donald Trump Jr., all who when caught tried to minimize the nature of the contacts and their context.
Republicans would have us believe Mr. Trump had no knowledge of these contacts even when he was briefed at what he called a National Security meeting wherein this guy Papadopalous suggested he meet with Putin. Sessions who was present claims he shut that idea down, but couldn't remember the encounter or discussion during his Senate Conformation hearings.
We also have people like Devon Nunes running interference for Trump with distractions and lies and he's the chair of one of the investigative bodies reviewing these nefarious events.
Apparently a tax cut is more important to Republicans than National Security, election interference by a hostile power and perhaps, treason. And this is the party that wraps themselves in the flag and screams America first?
Republicans have put party over country too many times to have any credibility in the matter. They're a stain on Democracy and their country. Lock them up.
111
And lock them out of elected office. Choices have consequences, and their choice to put party before country must be punished.
5
tax cut for the rich you mean
1
The Mueller investigation and the resulting revelations are far more important for the future of the American democracy and how it can retain its resiliency to take corrective action than the sentences any of the involved parties may receive. Undoubtedly, there will be parties who may be fined, reprimanded, or receive lighter sentences. However, it will not be surprising if some end up serving time in jail. Ironic, it will be, if the general who steered the crowds with chants of "Lock her up!" ends up being locked up.
No matter what the sentence, the public humiliation will likely deter future election meddlers from interfering with the longest running democracy in the world. I truly believe the American democracy is quite resilient and self-correcting to digest all those involved in the shenanigans, and after a couple of burps will pass them out. Or, so I hope!
19
America is far from the oldest democracy in the world. If you are comparing it to other nations, it is less than 210 years old. Switzerland might disagree with you for starters. Further, like many superstitions, until we acknowledge the Constitution is a Rub Goldberg contraption created by Indian killing, slave holding, landed gentry, as an illusion of democracy, these events will continue, as they have, since the beginning of America's colonialism.
1
I hope you’re right
You may be right, I will let the Swiss disagree with me. And I will let the Constitutional scholars address whether it was indeed a Rube Goldberg contraption or what the nation needed at that point in time, which to a large extent still serves reasonably well. The ills of the time as you noted should also be acknowledged and addressed no doubt. But a series of bad choices on one side should not nullify a series of good choices on the other.
The words, "Trump Russia is a hoax" will be remembered just like, "I am not a crook" is for Nixon.
"Lock her up!" will be remembered as the principals, Mr Flynn among them, are spirited off to federal prison.
"Let the Flynn thing go" will be remembered as Trump either resigns or is impeached for obstructing justice.
Special Counsel Mueller will perform his greatest service to his country, in a lifetime of service for his efforts in ultimately redeeming our democracy by demonstrating again that in our constitutional form of government,
"No One Is Above The Law."
1064
Mueller deserves the highest honors this country can give him. A Medal of Honor. A state funeral, when the time comes, and I pray that time is a long way off. Due to the stature of the man, he was able to recruit from the creme de la creme of prosecutors - immediatelyl and for lower pay - for the Investigtion of a Lifetime!
My prayers for his safety!
10
Also, "ignorance of the law is no excuse."
3
Now when you say “no one is above the law” does that include Bill and Hillary or are you just cherry picking like 80% of the commenters on this NYT Board....
Don't expect the Republican held congress to do anything if handed
"high crimes and misdemeanors " by the Mueller team. It will all be
spun as The Grifter in Chief just being naive. We are definitely heading
for even more extreme polarization in America with a majority asking
for the Trump to be removed and his supporters screaming for civil war.
14
Mueller has nothing to do with impeachment. He takes federal charges to federal grand juries for federal charges.
1
Before that ending, I see a giant march on Washington - and I'm going. Giant. March.
6
They will only act appropriately if they feel the scandal will cost them their jobs. If that happens, the rats will leave the ship and leave DJT to face the music.
3
Sounds to me like there's a Flynn in the ointment.
22
The split could also indicate that nothing has been found to implicate President Trump.
3
Not likely. Mueller has a charge and its target isn't Flynn.
I believe it was in March that Flynn offered to testify in exchange for immunity. Mr. Mueller, being the wise man that he is, refused. With lawyer expenses piling up and a son on the list, Mr. Flynn may be rethinking his options.... or lack there of.
211
Not only that. Mr. Trump just announced that Flynn will get no help with those lawyer expenses which must be getting very large. Seems like a ridiculously stupid move on Trump's part and good for this crazy show that's getting bigger and bigger.
3
General (Ret.) Michael Flynn was the former head of the 17,000-employee Defense Intelligence Agency, serving as the nation's highest-ranking military intelligence officer. Arguably, Flynn was privy to our deepest secrets and trusted to keep them until Pres. Obama realized otherwise and fired him.
That he is now in Robert Mueller's cross-hairs, and that Donald Trump saw fit in his blind hatred of all things Obama-related to hire Flynn as his NSA, is deeply concerning. The public allegations against Mr. Flynn (and his son) speak to his, and Trump's, remarkably poor judgment and willingness to cross bright-line laws and regulations.
Almost 11 months into his presidency, Donald Trump is sitting in a glass house ringed by former and current associates, all under enormous pressure from Mueller's team.
How fitting would it be that "lock her up" Flynn casts the stone exposing Trump, his associates and, perhaps, his family members to the consequences of a massive cover-up? If Congress does not act when Trump does "a Comey" on Mueller then we are all at the breaking point in the rule of law.
433
Unless of course Trump did nothing wrong. A little less than half the country believes he did nothing wrong and a little more that half the country believes he colluded with the Russians. Same could be said for Hillary.
1
65% of the country is not a little more than half. And Hillary isn't in office, but nice deflection attempt.
1
Possible but highly unlikely. And at a certain point "beliefs" cannot be the issue, but facts alone.
2
Under Trump, Stocks are increasing, 401 rising unemployment low, new hope for tax reform, while ms13 gangs that Obama and Bush let in and give taxpayer money to ripped out the heart of a Maryland man....i truly hope President Trump can be out President for 8 years. To undo what Obola and Bush did.....wars everywhere with Americans dying and racial unrest brought by obama and with only wall street and Obama's Goldman Sachs getting richer ...im so Thankful for our beloved President Trump. sad Hilary gave all our uranium to Putin which Mueller and Coney his !
7
Wow. A prime example of the trouble this country is in...and will continue to be in once the Trump administration is relegated to the "dustbin" of history.
38
Exhibit A, ladies and gentlemen. This is the level of cognition that has the country pointed towards the worst constitutional crisis since Nixon. Guess what? Good old gumshoe journalism and law enforcement brought him down, and indictments of all the President’s men are once again increasing in number.
54
The last gasp from the supporters of a dying presidency.
20
How did this guy get clearance to be National Security Advisor, and why? And, why wasn't the Trump admin more concerned about his obvious foreign entanglements?
85
Let me answer this one:
Because the trump administration isn't concerned about anything other than itself and its individual members.
Period.
31
Mford,
The Trump family foreign entanglements are numerous, so Flynn's would look like he was " in on the program." So, no problem for the Trump mafia there.
2
Answer: Three stars on his shoulder. What could possibly go wrong?
I "could" mean a lot of things. Endless speculation is now considered journalism. President Trump is just fine.
6
That must be why every time another colleague is indicted or sings, he tweets some vainglorious bombast that no one even asked about. All of a sudden Turkey is job one?
15
Mr. Durk, not sure if President Trump is just fine, but I do agree with "endless speculations is now considered journalism." This article clearly states, "The notification alone does not prove that Mr. Flynn is cooperating with Mr. Mueller." Sometimes the Times is borderline reckless - talk about showing and then leading lemmings to the cliff - but I still love the NYT!
1
If by fine you mean completely incompetent. Then yes Trump is fine.
I do hope Mr. Flynn cooperates with Mr. Mueller, not just because it will save him and his son jai time, but for the good of the country. He must know a great deal about the workings of the campaign.
Perhaps, if he does cooperate, we can move on from this national nightmare.
45
Here's what I wrote six months ago, and looks like it may still be on the mark:
"Flynn is/was such a loose cannon that it's not at all improbable that he was doing "coordination" chats with Russians during the campaign. So, was he doing this with Trump's knowledge? I would have to guess Yes. He already let the cat out of the bag when he said he would be the "scapegoat" in the affair. Are we just a step away from the beans being spilled? Yates testimony on what's known about Flynn. Flynn's facing jail time. Flynn telling on Trump. Trump denying. More people including Russians come forward. Trump caught lying. Trump impeached."
So, Trump will be cooked. He never thought he would actually win, and he certainly played games with the Russians. Unfortunately, you can't play those games in the real world.
130
If Trump knew what all of these ppl were doing, he’s a co-conspirator. If he didn’t, then he’s disconnected and out of touch at a level that would make him unfit to run a two-horse parade.
20
Make that a horseless parade.
2
The democrats are playing the same games in Alabama with Roy Moore
Michael Flynn is this generation's Ollie North; crime syndicates are hard to take.
35
And Trump is the Ronald Reagan of this Era. America will be fine if Mr. Flynn does his job and protects the Commander in Chief from his political enemies.
Mr. Mueller and the Intelligence Community are not Mr. Trump's political enemies. They serve to protect these United States of America.
8
Jam77: I was never a fan of Ronald Reagan, but he looks like Mother Teresa compared to Trump...
3
I still want to see Trump's tax returns for the past decade. The explanations for Trump’s bromance with Putin and for the now proven fact that at least nine members of his transition team and/or current administration have Russian connections lie buried in those documents. Following the money trail is tried and true throughout the annals of criminality and successful prosecution. No reason to believe it won’t be the downfall of the greatest con artist ever to occupy the Oval Office.
451
Concerned MD, I agree there should should be lots to discover in Trump's tax returns. It's also possible he hid a great many lies and episodes of tax evasion. He undoubtedly received illicit income from shady deals and mobsters laundering money through Trump branded properties.
The feds should already be looking at the $50 million in profit from the 2008 sale of a Florida estate to Dmitry Rybolovlev, a Russian oligarch known as the fertilizer king. It was never occupied and subsequently razed to the ground. Perhaps a down payment on the Trump presidency?
It was also recently reported the Trumps' first time foray into offshore real estate development in Panama was a haven for laundering money from Russian mobsters and oligarchs.
Undoubtedly these reports are just the tip of the iceberg.
4
Mueller better act fast, as the noose is tightening around him, Comey, McCabe and others with their Clinton and Obama scandals. Uranium One involves all of them, not just Hillary and Bill.
5
Uranium One is just a squirrel, extensively analyzed and nothing there to implicate anybody - it won't take Mueller's team off the real target of the investigation. And where are Trump's tax returns?
30
Except that there are NO scandals, just smoke screens thrown up by Donald Trump to divert attention....time to come into the reality-based world, Cj.
7
I doubt if he's losing a lot of sleep over the fantasies of Trumpistas.
2
The do nothing investigation continues with the typical garbage of DC politics.
Eventually they will try to get Team Trump for actually talking with the Russians..LOL.. Or maybe Trump went to the same bathroom as a Russian and didnt tell someone? LOL
5
Charles,
The Mueller investigation has two objectives; Finding evidence of collusion between the Trump Campaign and Russia and the other, Trumps obstruction of the same investigation. He is finding evidence of both. I don't find either a laughing matter and neither will Donald J Chaos & Co.
25
Joe and Charles,
I keep wondering if Mueller is also looking at money laundering by Trump. Remember those properties in Florida that Trump sold to a couple of Russians that paid far over market value? How would a thug like Putin get rid of tons of dirty money? Voila! Get a dunce like Trump to help him!
4
Just follow the money to all these greedy grifters, including Trump and those three avaricious children of his. When they all move back to New York it will be to Attica and Bedford HIlls Correctional Facility for Women.
187
An incredible story that a Lt. General and National Security Adviser basically sold out his country for $$$. Flynn appears to be a traitor.
Hopefully he throws up his guts. It won't be pretty.
173
At first, I felt sorry for Flynn; all those years of service and he threw them (and his reputation) away in the search for money. Everyone knows you don't get wealthy as a career military officer. It must have bothered him no end that lesser men were raking in millions---men who had never served their country in any way. Still, it was his choice to cross over to the dark side.
5
This country is being held hostage by that nobody Steve Bannon and his band of corrupt minions. Trump is surrounded by slime.
96
Mueller is flipping suspects like hot cakes.
73
I hope "Lock her up!", "I want immunity!", "anyone who asks for immunity is probably guilty" Flynn writes a note of apology to Hillary Clinton on prison stationery.
75
So Flynn finally noticed his foxhole was flooding and quit digging. Admirable in terms of self-preservation, but he’s a disloyal lying sneak, and quite possibly a traitor. How can anything he says be believed?
His bloated ego and overconfidence will come in handy here. Wouldn’t surprise me if he has extensive notes or recordings stashed away somewhere. People like him balance their fear of exposure with pride in their reprehensible connections and inside knowledge. And even if he has caused damage to the safety and security of the USA, what general wouldn’t fall on his sword for his own son?
14
Mueller just needs Flynn to confirm mounting evidence his team has already collected. Then, it’s time for Kushner and Donald Jr.
1
Don't forget Sessions (who will be indicted late on) and probably Pence as well, who has lied consistently as this dumpster fire develops.
1
This is the best news I've read since Trump's election.
107
Apparently you don't follow the stock market.
We have Obama to thank for this positive stock market. And don't forget the removal of ISIL from Iraq resulting from Obama's policies.
6
So is it your opinion that we should trade high stock trading for treason?
4
"As the plot thickens."
13
Turkey Trump gravy thickening too...
1
Flipper Flynn may soon out Traitor Trump, and this country can start to wake from this National Nightmare.
102
I hope everywhere he goes he encounters changes of "string him up" for what appears to have been treasonous behavior.
25
What a horrible man. What a horrible father. He is accused of selling his country to foreign governments. What he is accused of amounts to treason. And in the process, he led his son into the abyss with him.
91
The penalty for treason used to be hanging. It should still be.
2
Slowly I turned ... step by step ... inch by inch ...
28
It would be laughable if there weren't so many people willing to believe the worst rumors of a woman and ignore the worst facts about a man.
643
We still are in a paternalistic society and it slowly changing and one day the men will be screaming forgiveness! Really sad that we still have this behaviour in 2017 almost 2018! Men in general ( especially those of much weakness are hanging on ).I have much more hope for the younger generation of men who have grown up in a time of equal opportunity.
4
Spot on.
3
This is liberal fantasy, the particular kind of justice these commenters want, no longer exist. A fine and slap on the wrist will be sufficient in most of these charges.
Sad really.
4
If it drives Trump out of office, nothing else matters.
5
If Flynn is being threatened with a mere "slap on the wrist" . . . why make a deal? Why cooperate with Mueller?
3
It is a relatively modern (post-2016 election) conservative fantasy that the Russians have nothing but good intentions in all their dealings with the USA.
15
Are you hoping for schaudenfreudey retribution regarding Trump's knee-jerky reversals of any and all President Obama's policy decisions?
You only need to recall who emphatically told Trump not to hire Mike Flynn.
22
billjoe,
Great point! Trump only listens to his gut. While trusting your gut can be a good thing, it is best used when you have no better intelligence on the individual in question. This is clearly not the case with Flynn and Trump. He was being warned about a man whose moral compass has been broken in his quest for a quicker solution to the ISIS problem. Trump, an untrustworthy man, did not trust what a trustworthy man, Obama, was telling him about another untrustworthy man, Flynn. It will indeed be cosmic justice for Trump if Flynn is the source of his undoing.
1
So what? Even if Flynn is convicted and rolls on the entire Trump clan nothing will happen. Republicans will claim it's all being manufactured by the left and that Flynn is lying. Trump supporters will continue to worship him because he's the one who is going to "drain the swamp" and "stop immigration." Even if Trump is impeached he won't leave the white house (and legally doesn't have to.) And if he does go to jail we end up with Pence; which is not a better option. I fear we are stuck with this vile kakistocracy for 3 more years. And if we on the left don't get our act together we could be eating this vomit for another 4 years after that.
44
It doesn't matter what the Republicans say. If he's impeached and convicted of course he would have to leave (where did you get the idea that he could stay?) and I'm more interested in seeing him convicted in federal court, anyway.
Georgia,
I am glad your cynical views are not shared by Mueller and his team, if they were they would not be pursuing the president and his team so diligently. I don't know what the outcome will be ultimately, but I am hopeful that we will see justice done. Republicans can claim whatever they want in the opinion-sphere. The rule of law has force and will come down on the Trump campaign members that should be indicted. But, by all means, let's work toward a positive approach to a more positive victory for all Americans.
2
Not to worry; Donald Trump is working for the Democrats. How else to explain all the vile things he does? Already, he has driven away women, Hispanics, blacks, and Independents.
Pence is in neck deep in this and needs to go. Let's not forgot Pence knew all about Flynn, yet he let him stay!
277
Pence is a do nothing vice president, who they are trying to "keep clean" and in reserve, to take over when 45 is ousted. Trouble is, 45 is illegitimate and so is Pence. As always, they were 1 item on 1 ticket, not elected independent of each other. If 45 had the benefit of Russian influence, so did Pence. Lock him up too!
10
No, Pence insisted that Flynn be fired once Flynn admitted he lied to him about speaking with the Russians.
Meh. Pence is milk toast. And nothing more than a typical political opportunist.
2
The case against Trump is clear cut. He is first US president who should be impeached for treason. Anything Flynn adds is just gravy on the record that exists. There are three clear grounds:
1. His pronouncement that he believes Putin over US intelligence agencies and clear evidence of Russian meddling;
2. Sharing secrets with Russian spies in the oval office with no US reporters present and no record;
3. Obstructing and attempting to undo US sanctions against Russia that were enacted by Congress;
Added to all this is money laundering of Russian mob money through various real estate deals. Flynn and Manafort were cogs in the wheel of treason that this president made a part of his campaign and his administration. Mueller can just help bolster no. 3 above.
This has to be the focus of Democrats and the primary reason to end GOP rule of Congress in 2018.Impeachment proceedings must be initiated.
105
Very well said!!!
2
Ty Cobb"s comments on behalf of Trump sound a lot like Pontus Pilate's as he washed his hands of responsibility. It didn't work then and hopefully it won't work in this case either. If I were in Flynn"s shoes I'd be singing like a soprano.
19
I think when push comes to shove and Trump gets rid of Mueller, all those republicans who warned Trump against that will suddenly become silent.
3
Stay tuned for another nothing burger. Flynn's alleged crimes occurred well before he met Trump. The media can't get off this story.
4
And neither can the special prosecutor.
2
Steve,
Treason is a "nothing burger"? But I suppose you have an inside track on what is going on with Mueller's investigation. Respectfully Steve, your filters are clogged if you can't see where this is going.
4
right, and if Hillary Clinton were president, and her own family were up to their elbows in illegal cooperation with a hostile foreign country which illegally hacked emails in order to help her win, and if she herself had fired three people connected to the investigations because she wanted them stopped, and if a Democrat chair on the House committee investigating these things has snuck over to the WH in the dead of night to create a false narrative and warn Pres. H. Clinton and help her out....etc., etc., etc., we wouldn't be hearing a peep about her being guilty of something from the same people who want to lock her up for existing in the first place.
Sure, sure.
5
This is a very encouraging piece of news to start the morning off with. Trump and his appointments scare me. Impeach Trump and end this nightmare. But is Trump was elected with cooperation with Ruskies is Pence legitimate?
31
I cannot imagine a nicer guy locked up for 20 years or thereabouts. The judge should specify Hillary has visitation rights.
25
Note to Mr. Flynn: The World is Listening. Do you solemnly (swear/affirm) that you will tell the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth, (so help you God/under pains and penalties of perjury)?
trump is a relentless Liar. Expose him. Redeem yourself.
Demonstrate TRUTH to your son, our country, the world.
STING trump with the TRUTH.
Every breath you take, every move you make, we will be watching you.
28
I hope there are pending some "State" charges... you know Trump wants to "Pardon" Flynn along with the rest of this "Best People" bunch... lucky for us they have to be convicted first before DJT can "ACT"
3
Who cares? This does nothing to connect Trump to anything - and for you libs out there, Trump can pardon anyone charged with anything so there is not much bite to Mueller's bark - if Flynn is guilty of something he did on his own, then eat him up, otherwise Trump is good to go.
27
Actually, that’s not true. The President can only grant a pardon to someone convicted in Federal (district) court. So if the charges are referred to state jurisdiction, he can’t. Don’t count your chickens...
39
It's pretty amazing to me to try and follow Trump supporters reasoning. They simply don't care about the country and what is happening to it - as long as they get theirs. They will. And by the way, I'm not lib.
17
No Trump will not escape justice because he has the seeds of destruction within
5
There are some major errors of fact and chronology in this article--see Seth Abramson's thread on Twitter here:
https://twitter.com/SethAbramson/status/933903761050865665
3
I rarely read much more pompous than Prof. Abramson's endless series of tweets which blather on and on without actually adding much.
And, in some of them he's just wrong.
Lock him up! And make Donald Jr. and Ms. Jared Kushner his cell mates.
14
'The big Turkey who goosed our Nation is about to get cooked'. This is called pre-celebrating, and let us not count our blessings before our Future is hatched in mending cracked political and social eggs. The Liberal Socialist, Ionesco, wrote a play along these lines, but the nuns had a production of his 'Rhinoceros' instead, which sailed over my head at the time.
Charles Blow wrote that he might be the last man standing, I join him in being the last Eve. In the meantime, let us hope The Mob does not turn ugly. Not far away, if one listens carefully there is the sound of pitchforks being honed. What does T.S. Eliot have to say at this time of year.
'What is the late November doing
With the disturbance of Spring
And creatures of the Summer heat,
And hollyhocks that aim too high
Red into grey and tumble down'.
Not that this American understands, but I always knew our Country was in trouble if Trump makes one feel like a high-brow. The commentator, Socrates, asked that we hold on and this is as good as it gets.
6
It wouldn't be particularly surprising if Flynn ended up turning on Trump. Trump has made it exceedingly clear that he feels loyalty is a one-way street, and I imagine everyone who's worked closely with him is aware of how freely he would betray them.
We all know they're guilty. We all know they'll turn on each other eventually. We're all just hoping this is the straw that breaks the camels back.
34
If by "camel's back" you mean Republican members of Congress, I agree.
This means nothing. General Flynn looks done. Trump will pardon him. And that, my friends will be that.
2
soxared,
It will only mean nothing if people don't vote next November and toss the Republicans out of office. If the Democrats don't take over the House of Representatives in 2018, that will be the end of our once-great nation.
The burden now lies on the shoulders of the Democratic Party. They must put up a field of strong candidates. They did a bad job of this in 2016.
11
He would have to be convicted first. Why do you think so much time is passing without Flynn's indictment?
He's had lots and lots of time to make recorded phone calls.
This isn't Mueller's first rodeo, and Trump can't pardon himself.
@soxared: There is hope. Read this very interesting article:
"Mueller set a legal trap to prevent Trump from pardoning Flynn: ex-prosecutor"
https://www.rawstory.com/2017/11/mueller-set-a-legal-trap-to-prevent-tru...
Cue the countdown to Trump's disavowal of Flynn ...
"He was a minor player"
"I barely knew him"
"Flynn who?"
Selective and revisionist memory seems to be a specialty of this administration.
16
Best news I've read all month! Keep up the good work, Mr. Mueller!
18
I hope this report is accurate. Some readers seem to think he'll lie to Mueller's team, but I do not. If there's one thing that's truthful about guys like Flynn, is that their loyalties are to: 1. wealth, 2. power, and their 3. family.
With his wealth and power already having been denied, and his son threatened, I think he'll sing like a bird. Full cooperation is the best thing he can do for himself and his son at this moment, and remember that he immediately offered up his service to receive immunity.
No, compared to Manafort, Flynn is a lightweight in the global black market for political espionage. He was just getting started on his career in international crime. I doubt he has the resources to be anything but truthful to Mueller...
At least I hope so.
18
I am afraid that there might be too much optimism about how much Flynn will reveal to Mueller. Trump has already pardoned one supporter (Arpaio) and won't hesitate to use his pardon power to protect himself and his family members from prosecution. An editorial in the WSJ has already advised precisely that, signaling to Trump that he might survive actions that Nixon knew would doom his presidency. The question is whether Congress and we the people will tolerate such blatant abuse of office, or will Democrats and Republicsns band together as they did during Watergate and throw the bum out?
11
Trump can't pardon anyone from state charges (if they turn out to be needed) and he can't pardon anyone who isn't convicted yet.
Meanwhile, they sing like criminal canaries.
Here's hoping that Flynn's concern for his son will result in some honest conversations between Flynn and Mueller about Trump's ties - financial and ideological - to Russia!
6
This seems like it's taking forever, but if Mueller's investigation does finally show that there was a true Russian connection then it's worth the wait and watching DJT sweat will be worth every minute.
12
Ironic that this story comes out on the day American's officially give 'thanks'.
It may not be the 'first domino', or the last, but it's probably one of the biggest.
6
So what. In the end, after wasting billions of hard earned tax payers money, hard earned if by the working class, President Trump will triumph. I support the President. I support Trump.
1
However, you say nothing about supporting the United States of America.
8
In response to Cletus, I support the United States of America, that is why I support President Trump; support for the nation and support for its president are one in the same. Thank you.
1
You can imagine the leverage that Mueller's team might have, since, as I understand, the investigators are focusing on Flynn and Flynn's son. For Flynn, it could be a matter of not only trying to protect himself, but to not dim the prospects of his own son's future. Which brings me to my second point...
...the presence of Don Jr., Jared, and Ivanka in the White House has raised eyebrows right from the start, for reasons that need no elaborating here. Now we see another very clear reason why blood links in government is a bad idea: the vulnerability of one member of the family always extends to the others, and compromises their ability to make rational decisions in the public interest.
17
the most inexplicable thing about michael flynn that i've not seen addressed... is, how in the world did this man ever ascend to such a high rank? insatiable greed and lust for power aren't characteristics easily hidden.
39
We are still a long way from Trump. There is a lot of speculation in this article.
2
The title of Maya Angelou's autobiography, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" comes to mind about the possibility of Michael Flynn co-operating with the Robert Mueller probe into "all things Russia" regarding the president. Flynn is looking out for his son and in that regard, may be willing to throw the president under the bus about his interactions with Russian officials during last year's campaign. Blood is thicker than water.
This president has never shown any loyalty to anyone, ever, and doesn't deserve Flynn's loyalty here either. If Flynn does sing to Mueller, it could signal the beginning of the end for the president.
35
@silver bullet - this, the second stanza of Miss Angelou's poem, further illustrates Lynn's dilemma:
"...But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped
and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing. ..."
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou
Thank you for reminding me to reread this topical poem and I hope others will be moved to do so both as it refers to #metoo and as mentioned herein.
2
The story about Michael Flynn should bother everybody. Here is a retired US Army Lieutenant General who was promoted to lead the Defense Intelligence Agency under President Obama. He later became a leading voice in the Trump campaign. How was a man so obviously incompetent promoted to such a high status? What does it say about the Army's leadership more broadly? And what does it about the leadership of the US government? Flynn is obviously a loose cannon, but one that only got tripped up in the latter half of his career. Flynn's career is a tragic indictment of the system that continuously promoted him.
20
ACT,
Your assumption that Flynn has always behaved this way is probably in error. Flynn's overriding concern about fighting Islamic terrorism spurred him to make a leap of faith late in his career to appeasement with Russia. His idea was to ally the US with Russia against ISIS and Al Qaeda as the greater enemy. These two organizations are certainly an enemy to the West and to Russia. It is only in the sense that they are enemies of rule of law civilizations. They are hell-bent on establishing a theocratic caliphate. This caliphate would impose on all within it a ruthless application of Islam. Afghanistan was an example of this after the Russians withdrew in defeat. Religious police roamed the streets, doling out punishment for insufficiently long beards and incompletely covering burkas. Osama Bin Laden was one of the Mujihedeen fighters there, who once victory was achieved, with help from the US CIA, turned its murderous gaze on the rest of the world. WSe can see their results thus far; the murder of countless innocent people throughout the world.
1
You cannot pin this bad hombre on President Obama who, you surely recall, not only fired Flynn from his defense security chief post, but warned Donald that he would be wise to avoid appointing Flynn to serve in any capacity.
3
Line em up before the big reveal. Mueller is playing his cards so the indictments line up to prevent President Fake Tan from ordering his dismissal. The closer he gets with round one the less likely Congress will be to let Trump get away without appointing their own, likely Mueller. Good moves.
8
Keeping Russia off the front page seems to be one of the strategies of the White House legal defense team. To some extent, Roy Moore has accidentally helped with this as has the president's mad man tweets. Give Mueller credit, though. His investigation continues tenaciously and he just might be getting close to trapping a few collaborators, unless, of course, the leader of the free world doesn't fire him first.
6
From an outside viewpoint, I live in Scotland, this is all very entertaining, very like a conspiracy movie being played out in real life. I guess that's the effect of instant media access and reporting.
However, it is also very worrying for the rest of the world that a dotard such as Trump is in such a powerful position and poses a threat to the wellbeing of this planet at a time when we should be joining together to ensure the planet survives the threat of environmental chaos. I feel that this is the biggest challenge facing us at the moment and Trump seems to represent a faction that couldn't care less about the destruction of the planets environment as
long as they can drive their Hummers and shoot elephants.
So I really hope that Flynn has turned and this is the beginning of the end for the abomination that is Trump and his criminal mobsters, even if it ends the morbid entertainment of Trumpism.
92
This could be big, or it could amount to nothing if they can't convince Flynn it's in his interest to cooperate to save some jail time, not only for himself but for his son.
Because from the list of things we've been reading about him, he not only had his hands conversations with Russians, but also this Turkey lobbying may be the tip of the iceberg in working with foreign governments.
Just what did this former intelligence man think he could get away with? Obama had to fire him for his "Flynn Facts" and outrageous opinions he sought to turn into his own government investigations.
It's alleged he faces serious jail time unless he sings. My fear with Flynn is more that he might not tell the truth, as lying seems to come pretty naturally to him.
But I'm also pretty sure he knows ton, and now that Trump has stated he won't pay legal fees for any higher-ups facing charges, he's reportedly desperate.
Flynn symbolizes the people Trump loves: firebrands, a tad crazy, wild in his accusations of others, slippery around the truth, and loyal to a fault.
Wouldn't it be totally rich if the man who led the reckless charge at so many rallies, yelling "lock-er up" with such conviction, ends up convicted himself?
610
I expect it's a foregone conclusion that Flynn will do time, if only for state tax evasion should Trump pardon him. I believe his main concern is for his son, and what a delicate calculus this must be. The more he reveals about Trump the less likely any pardons will flow. The less he reveals the more severe the punishments are likely to be for both Flynns. I have to wonder if he wasn't a deep cover operative for the rooskies all along. I believe he can sink Trump completely with what he knows, and the chances are improving he may do just that. The trick is to impeach and convict him before too many others are convicted so he can't pardon anyone, including himself. I'd like nothing better than to see the whole lot of them sent to Mar a Gitmo.
21
Justice will be served only if she goes with him, and we clean house in both parties for a fresh start. Fresh, not return to the old.
3
Yes, yes, the irony if that should happen. And even more ironic if he who stalked Clinton in the second debate were to face charges about his sexual assaults and then, of course, the illegal activities he has been involved in for decades. Trump is sooo guilty.
17
It's expected that the reason Trump was so concerned over the investigation of Michael Flynn will be revealed once Flynn begins to cooperate with Bob Mueller. This should provide a welcome end to speculation on both sides, and wake us from this national nightmare that began on inauguration day.
The true awakening came the day after the election for most of us, when we realized the price of complacency in our electorate. The erosion of values and the normalization of outrageous behavior may finally face a challenge.
960
Well said. The price of complacency- well said. We are awake now- and working every day and it is just short of a year until the 2018 elections when we can get rid of this rabble.
18
"this national nightmare that began on inauguration day"
The national nightmare began two years ago, with the assumption we were locked into Bush III vs Clinton II, each starting with an insurmountable lead of $100 million from donors, and more of the same for another decade of wars, neolib economics, and corporate dominance.
We spiraled down from there, with never a sign of real light, not even a train's headlight. It has been awful. If we merely get rid of Trump and return to what went before, we will be worse off than we are now for another decade.
7
Yes the Clintons were and are lawless
2
Here comes the sound of another shoe dropping..Flynn, then Kushner, and the draining of the Trump cesspool continues....
357
Sure, and Trump will pardon them all.
2
We need Ivana to testify what low down lying man her husband is. That day may come.
99
Careful: Ivanka Trump's mother, Ivana Trump, has been divorced from her father Donald since 1992, and from her most recent husband since 2009.
If Mueller called her in that would be the end because it would mean the investigation had gone long and deep into the tax weeds.
4
"Lock her up" Flynn is, hopefully, singing to Mueller so that the man who allowed and encouraged him will be the one that goes to prison. I so hope and pray I see Trump in prison orange - and for a very long time. I'll take Flynn getting a shorter sentence if Trump gets a much longer one.
830
sophia,
Greetings on this 'Thankstaking' Weekend, as described by a favorite commentator earlier on our State of Affairs. and let us have a heart - Versailles is still weeping over the treatment received by the doomed queen of France by the Mob. Only her daughter survived, and it was really very sad.
In the meantime, glad that you decided not to move away. 'Woke' and Namaste are a few words that come to mind on this holiday weekend in the sun.
Trump is not going anywhere until his second term is completed....
1
Is it at all possible that a billionaire would ever go to jail?
8
They’re flipping everyone around him. It’s pretty clear that at some point Mueller will be issuing criminal charges against the President of the United States. My guess is obstruction of justice. But if you look at the people they’re flipping, it’s all people associated with Russia. Amazing.
317
Great question. Should be relatively easy given that the GOP controls both the House and Senate, as well as the White House. Now all they need is an actual case.
Oh, wait a minute...
8
“When will Uranium 1 investigation start?”
Oh believe me, Dingo, they will be distracting you with that forthwith!
6
When there actually is something to investigate. No uranium has left the US to Russia. Only shares in the company traded hands. Not illegal. As for the foundation receiving money from specific people? It’s a foundation not Clinton’s own bank account. You have been fooled many times that I am sure of.
12
Just over one year ago, Trump had this to say about Michael Flynn:
"General Flynn is one of the country's foremost experts on military and intelligence matters and he will be an invaluable asset to me and my administration."
Um. I guess not so much.
The stench from this "Administration" continues to grow stronger day-by-day. Those of us who still believe in truth and justice continue to hope that the endless wrongdoings by Trump and the former and current officials he hand-selected to run our government will be fully exposed to the sunlight by Mr. Mueller in the coming days.
553
Sure, but don’t imagine for one minute that it will result in impeachment- republicans will not do it. So we will end up knowing all about the horrifying criminality riddled throughout the entire “administration” and they will continue to be in power. What do we do then?
3
@Matthew
We spend our energies doing grassroots work to turn out the vote. Just like we did in Virginia -- with spectacular results.
5
Big Domino?
30
Trump orders everyone from the Oval Office and then tells Comey to lay off Flynn. Now Flynn is singing to Mueller. Don the Con is in BIG trouble and it could not happen to a nicer guy!
508
En Garde, the Family of Trump to start making plans for a possible exit. Let it be noted that this American has always felt sorry for their ill-advised father. It is possible that he acted in a moment of despair. His Empire was in shambles circa the advent of The Recession; the casinos crumbling.
He has caused our Nation to shudder, and hopefully The Healing Season is about to begin. Rebuild and Restore our Nation, Educate our children, and Fare Forward, Voyagers into 2020.
7
Trump has authority to pardon any one including him self.
Not for State charges.
4
Flynn should be locked up but maybe, with any luck, his apparent split from Trump could take the maniac down with him.
177
My fear is that Pence believes his religiosity will protect him. My terror is that there is a chance that he might be right.
4
"My terror is that there is a chance that he might be right."
Indeed, you can now be a serial child molester and still be a beacon of Christian moral values and a worthy senator for Alabama. On reflection, this is not a recent development at all.
8
Several months ago I said win/place/show ... Manafort/Flynn and now just waiting for my 3rd horse come in but it may be Kusher and Don Jr tied for that slot. Neck and neck through the final turn.
248
Kushner and Don Jr are not horses, just the rear portion
20
Hmmm. This puts Jared in a tight squeeze. Only 36 and yet facing jail just as his father did....and yet, Jared has 3 young children. Why did he make such rash decisions that jeopardized his family and future? I bet he spends a lot of time crying these days.
7
Now that’s something to be thankful for!
613
Personally, I couldn't care less about Flynn. What happens to him is not a big deal. If he can clarify what was going on in the campaign, the transition and early days of Trump's term, that is all that really matters. I hope Flynn and Mueller have a nice long talk.
105
So when does the "Lieutenant General" part of Michael Flynn's title get stripped away if he is found guilty?
Definitely hoping it's part of the deal.
219