Former Justice Dept. Official Criticizes Dismissed Charges Against Flynn

August 6, 2020 by Tom Ramstack
Former Justice Dept. Official Criticizes Dismissed Charges Against Flynn

WASHINGTON — Former Deputy U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates renewed suspicions of favoritism in Senate testimony Wednesday about the dropped charges against the Trump administration’s first national security advisor.

 She called the dismissal of charges against Michael Flynn for allegedly lying to the FBI “highly irregular.”

Flynn is a retired Army lieutenant general who was sworn in as national security advisor on Jan. 22, 2017 but served only 22 days. He resigned amid allegations that he engaged in unauthorized communications with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.

He was also accused of misleading Vice President Mike Pence about the nature of his calls with Kislyak.

Flynn reached an agreement with the Justice Department in December 2017 to plead guilty to a felony count of “willfully and knowingly” making false statements to the FBI. He also agreed to cooperate with investigators looking into Russian manipulation of the 2016 election intended to boost the campaign of President Donald Trump.

In January, he withdrew his guilty plea. U.S. Attorney General William Barr, a Trump appointee, then announced the Justice Department would drop charges against him.

The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington last week decided to review whether charges against Flynn should be dropped. A hearing in the case is set for Aug. 11.

Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee asked whether the Justice Department investigation of Flynn was motivated by political allies of former President Barack Obama, particularly when they invoked authority under the Logan Act.

The Logan Act is an obscure 18th century federal law that criminalizes unauthorized negotiations by American citizens with foreign governments involved in disputes with the United States.

Yates, who was the sole witness during the Senate hearing Wednesday, said the Logan Act “wasn’t our primary concern.”

Instead, the FBI and Justice Department wanted to know whether Flynn created a national security risk by secretly negotiating with the Russian ambassador.

 “It was a counterintelligence concern,” Yates said.

She denied assertions that the Obama administration sought to undermine Trump by launching the investigation against Flynn and his other top advisors. Obama announced sanctions against the Russians as evidence surfaced they interfered in the 2016 election.

Yates said the investigation was motivated only by a desire to determine whether it was safe to share national security information with incoming Trump administration officials. Flynn admitted he advised the Russian ambassador on how to minimize the effect of Obama’s sanctions but later lied to the FBI about giving the advice.

“General Flynn had essentially neutered the U.S. government’s message of deterrence,” Yates said.

The Senate’s review of the FBI investigation, which was called Crossfire Hurricane, was led by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who is chairman of the Judiciary Committee and a Trump ally.

Graham repeatedly clashed with Yates, particularly over an FBI interview with Flynn on Jan. 24, 2017. Flynn denied inappropriate discussions with the Russians during the interview.

Then Acting Attorney General Yates responded by warning other Trump administration officials that he lied and could be open to being bribed.

Graham characterized Yates’ allegations against Flynn as personal animosity.

Graham said Obama administration officials, such as Yates, investigated Flynn because “they hated his guts.”

“The only problem here is you didn’t like Flynn talking about changing the policy,” Graham said.

Democrats were more sympathetic toward Yates, largely agreeing with her that she followed standard procedures while trying to do her job.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said, “Flynn was not treated unfairly.” 

The dismissal of charges against him after lying to the FBI indicates inappropriate favoritism by Trump’s Justice Department officials, she said.

“I believe it sends the wrong message,” Feinstein said.

In the early minutes of the hearing, Trump tweeted a message saying, “Sally Yates has zero credibility. She was a part of the greatest political crime of the Century, and ObamaBiden knew EVERYTHING!”

A+
a-
  • Justice Department
  • MIchael Flynn
  • Sally Yates
  • In The News

    Health

    Voting

    Law

    March 25, 2024
    by Tom Ramstack
    DC Attorney General Warns Sports Teams About Relocating to Virginia

    WASHINGTON — The District of Columbia’s attorney general is invoking a contract provision with local professional sports teams in the... Read More

    WASHINGTON — The District of Columbia’s attorney general is invoking a contract provision with local professional sports teams in the city’s latest bid to keep them from relocating to Northern Virginia. D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb told Monumental Sports and Entertainment in a letter last week... Read More

    March 22, 2024
    by Tom Ramstack
    Judge Upholds DC Law Giving Noncitizens Voting Rights

    WASHINGTON — A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit Thursday against the District of Columbia Board of Elections that sought to... Read More

    WASHINGTON — A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit Thursday against the District of Columbia Board of Elections that sought to invalidate a law giving noncitizens a right to vote in local elections. The Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act would allow anyone who is a resident... Read More

    March 20, 2024
    by Tom Ramstack
    Trump Wins Right of Appeal to Try to Disqualify Georgia Prosecutor

    ATLANTA — Former President Donald Trump is getting another chance to exclude a prosecutor he accused of political reprisal in... Read More

    ATLANTA — Former President Donald Trump is getting another chance to exclude a prosecutor he accused of political reprisal in his upcoming criminal trial in Atlanta on charges of illegally trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election vote count in Georgia. Trump asked the judge overseeing... Read More

    Pro-Trump Michigan Attorney Arrested After Hearing in DC Over Leaking Dominion Documents

    An attorney facing criminal charges for illegally accessing Michigan voting machines after the 2020 election was arrested Monday after a... Read More

    An attorney facing criminal charges for illegally accessing Michigan voting machines after the 2020 election was arrested Monday after a hearing in a separate case in federal court in Washington, D.C. Stefanie Lambert was arrested by U.S. Marshals after a hearing over possible sanctions against her... Read More

    March 15, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    Fani Willis Can Continue Case Against Trump With Single Condition, Judge Rules

    ATLANTA — Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis can continue to pursue an election interference case against former President Donald... Read More

    ATLANTA — Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis can continue to pursue an election interference case against former President Donald Trump and several others — as long as the prosecutor with whom she had a romantic relationship steps aside, a judge in Georgia ruled on Friday.... Read More

    March 13, 2024
    by Tom Ramstack
    Georgia Judge Dismisses Some Charges Against Trump

    ATLANTA — Former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants facing criminal prosecution in Georgia for trying to overturn the 2020... Read More

    ATLANTA — Former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants facing criminal prosecution in Georgia for trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election won a partial court victory Wednesday. A Georgia judge dismissed six of the 41 charges against the former president and his accused fellow conspirators.... Read More

    News From The Well
    scroll top