As we noted last month, national security advisor and wingnut conspiracy theorist Michael "Jack D. Ripper" Flynn had some suspicious, pre-inauguration contacts with the Russian ambassador to the U.S. immediately after President Obama expelled 35 Russian intelligence officers after Russia's pro-Trump meddling in the election was verified. Flynn vehemently denied charges that he discussed lifting sanctions against Russia, which could put him in jeopardy of violating the Logan Act, which prohibits individual citizens from "negotiating" on behalf of the U.S.without authority of the Government. Now, it appears that he did discuss the sanctions imposed on Russia for their aggression in Ukraine and their meddling in the elections. His five phone calls on December 29 with the Russian ambassador apparently convinced Russian autocrat Vladimir "Vlad the Invader" Putin to defer a counter-reaction to the expulsions. Neo-fascist Putin admirer Donald "Rump" Trump has repeatedly shown his "admiration" and "respect" for the ex-KGB leader of Russia, who helped him get elected through cyber warfare against Secretary Clinton's campaign.
Yesterday, Flynn, who was removed from his position as Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2014 over his abusive management style, backed away from his earlier denial of discussing sanctions, saying that he "had no recollection of discussing sanctions," an obvious lie given the timing of his calls following Obama's action. That Rump directed Flynn to call is almost certain, but Flynn is responsible for making the calls and the violation of U.S. law.
BONUS: Daily Kos' Mark Sumner has a detailed rundown of Flynn's Russian associations over the past couple of years. There's also this:
I don't know whether it's more alarming that Flynn lied about his calls w/ the Russians or that he was too dumb to know he would get caught— Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) February 10, 2017
And Flynn's lying also appears to have ensnared one Mike "Dense" Pence, per the WaPo article:If Michael Flynn talked to Russian Amb. in December about lifting sanctions it violates Logan Act, is treasonous https://t.co/18cBz3qAas
— Norman Ornstein (@NormOrnstein) February 10, 2017
The WaPo has nine sources here that Flynn either lied or had Pence lie for him. https://t.co/zK8hnlA1GI
— Nicholas Thompson (@nxthompson) February 10, 2017
