NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR MICHAEL FLYNN RESIGNS AFTER RUSSIAN REMARKS REVEALED

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Prominent Republicans and Democrats call for investigation into Trump administration’s Russia ties, but Intelligence Committee chair blocks effort

By Miriam Raftery

February 14, 2017 (Washington D.C.) — Resignation last night of President Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor Michael Flynn raises disturbing questions:

  • Why did Flynn suggest to Russia’s ambassador that the Trump administration might lift sanctions over Russia’s incursion into the Ukraine, weeks before Trump office? 
  • Why did Flynn lie to Vice President Pence and claim he never discussed sanctions with the Russian representative?
  • Why did Trump ignore a warning weeks ago from Acting Attorney General Sally Yates that Flynn could be subject to blackmail by Russia for his actions, which were reportedly confirmed in intercepted communications?
  • Did Flynn violate the Logan Act, which prohibits private citizens from engaging in foreign policy, since his talks with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak occurred before Flynn was appointed National Security Advisor?
  • Why did Trump appoint Flynn as National Security Advisor, knowing he might be compromised?
  • Why has Trump repeatedly praised Russian dictator Vladimir Putin?  Are British MI6 intelligence claims that the Russians have compromising information on Trump true?

Flynn, in his resignation letter, said he “inadvertently” briefed Pence with incomplete information; Flynn said he apologized to the President and Vice President.  He had repeatedly pushed for close ties with Russia, a departure from long-standing U.S. policy since the Cold War era.

Trump, in characteristic fashion, responded to the controversy today on Twitter.  He did not address the concerns over Flynn or Russian blackmail concerns. Instead, he tweeted, ”The real story here is why are there so many illegal leaks coming out of Washington? Will these leaks be happening as I deal on North Korea, etc.?”

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said the President asked for Flynn’s resignation due to an “evolving and eroding level of trust,” the BBC reports.

Trump aide Kellyanne Conway remarked, “In the end, it was misleading the Vice President that made the situation unsustainable.”

During his campaign, Trump’s campaign manager Paul Manafort resigned following revelations that when he previously worked for pro-Russian Ukrainian political party, he set up a slush fund with money from Russian oligarchs to loot Ukrainian assets and elect pro-Putin leader Viktor Yanukovych, the New York Times reported.

An MI6 British intelligence officer prepared a dossier provided to key U.S. officials recently which alleged that Russia had compromising information on Trump ranging from business dealings in Russia to sexual escapades.  Trump has flatly denied this.  However, some of the non-salacious portions have been affirmed by some other intelligence sources, the Guardian reports.

Now Senator Roy Blunt, a Republican member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and Texas Senator John Cornyn, second ranking Senate Republican leader, have broken with their party and called for a full investigation into any alleged connections between President Trump himself and Russian officials.

But the Chair of that Senate Intelligence Committee, David Nunes, has thus far refused to investigate the Trump administration's Russian ties. Instead, he has declared he intends to pursue an investigation against leakers in the White House.

Democratic representatives John Conyers of Michigan and Elijah Cummings of Maryland say they have asked for a classified briefing from the Department of Justice and FBI.

Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego), whose district includes part of East County, issued a statement calling for a full investigation into Russian influences on the Trump administration.

““The resignation of Michael Flynn underscores the increasing and disturbing potential of Russia’s grip on the White House. It’s another instance of someone in the Administration, the other being the President himself, who could potentially be subject to blackmail by the Russian government,” Davis states.

“Congress has a responsibility to follow all the threads to reveal what this means to our national security and our democracy. There needs to be an outside, bipartisan, and independent investigation into Russian influence in the White House and the election. The FBI needs to step up its investigation into the financial and personal connections of the President to Russia. “

Senator Elizabeth Warren stated on Twitter, "“This isn’t a game. Reports say the Russians conducted a series of successful cyber-attacks on our elections to help elect Donald Trump. Reports say our own intelligence agencies have corroborated parts of a dossier alleging that Russia has compromising information about Donald Trump. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has close ties to Putin. Commerce Secretary nominee Wilbur Ross has close financial ties to Putin buddies. Donald Trump is still making money overseas and may have financial ties to Russia. Nobody knows since he STILL won’t release his taxes.”

The Massachusetts Democrat added, "This. Is. Not. Normal. President Trump owes the American people a full account of his Administration’s dealings with Russia, both before and after the election. When did the White House know that Flynn lied? What other contacts with Russia occurred during the campaign? Who knew what? Who approved what? Congress must pull its head out of the sand and launch a real, bipartisan, transparetn inquiry into Russia. Our national security is at stake."

Flynn’s resignation leaves retired General Keith Kellogg, former Chief of Staff of the White House National Security Council, as acting national security advisor.  Reuters reports that Trump is considering three potential appointees to permanently fill the vacancy including Kellogg. The others are retired General David Petraeus, who is also former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Robert Harward, former Deputy Commander of U.S. Central Command.

Sources:

http://themoderatevoice.com/trump-national-security-aid-flynn-resigns-russian-contacts/  

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38974085

http://www.thehill.com/homenews/senate/319425-blunt-calls-for-exhaustive-investigation-into-trump-russia-connections

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/15/us/politics/paul-manafort-ukraine-donald-trump.html?_r=0

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jan/12/intelligence-sources-vouch-credibility-donald-trump-russia-dossier-author


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