General Keith Kellogg
[h=1]Michael Flynn RESIGNS as National Security Advisor after it's revealed the Justice Department WARNED Trump he was left vulnerable to blackmail over his ties with Russia[/h]
- National Security Advisor Michael Flynn stepped down on Monday night
- Joseph Keith Kellogg to take over as acting National Security Advisor
- Resignation comes on heels of report that Justice Department warned the Trump administration last month about Flynn's contacts with Russia
- Justice Department 'concerned that Flynn could be in a compromised position'
- Flynn spoke with Russia's ambassador to the U.S. prior to inauguration
- Claimed he never talked about lifting sanctions, later backpedaled
- Former Attorney General Sally Yates reportedly visited White House last month
- Warned Trump officials that Flynn may have lied about nature of Russia contacts
- Feared Russians could blackmail Flynn over apparent lies about contacts
- Flynn's departure comes just 24 days into new administration
- House Democrats call for classified briefing on Flynn after shock resignation
- 'General Flynn was unfit to be the National Security Advisor, and should have been dismissed three weeks ago,' say Dems
National security adviser Michael Flynn has resigned over controversy surrounding his ties with Russia.
The military veteran stepped down late on Monday night less than a month into President Donald Trump’s administration amid mounting questions over his future and his close links with the Kremlin.
I inadvertently briefed the Vice President Elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian Ambassador.
-FLYNN RESIGNATION LETTER
His stunning announcement, first reported by CNN, came just hours after sources close to the government revealed that the Justice Department had warned the new administration that his links with the Kremlin had put him in a compromising position and left him open to blackmail.
Flynn made numerous phone calls to the Russian Ambassador to the US before Trump took office, and later hinted he may have gone against diplomatic protocol by discussing the rollback of sanctions.
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National Security Advisor Michael Flynn resigned on Monday night over controversy surrounding his contacts with Russia
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Flynn (center) stepped down just 24 days into the Trump Administration
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Flynn's resignation came just hours after sources close to the government revealed that the Justice Department had warned the new administration that his links with the Kremlin had put him in a compromising position and left him open to blackmail
Vice President Mike Pence vouched for Flynn, without knowing the full details of the calls, and gave him his full support. Flynn has now issued a grovelling apology to Pence.
Retired general Keith Kellogg will take over as acting National Security Adviser.
[h=3]TIMELINE OF FLYNN'S RUSSIA TROUBLES[/h]December 29: Obama announces sanctions against Russia over alleged hacks targeting election. Flynn spoke with Russian ambassador Kislyak repeatedly the same day, it was later reported.
December 30: Russian President Vladimir Putin says he will not respond to the sanctions, surprising many U.S. officials. Trump praises Putin's decision as 'very smart.'
January 13: Trump spokesman Sean Spicer says Flynn had called Kislyak merely to set up a phone call between Trump and Putin
January 15: Vice President-elect Mike Pence says in an interview with CBS that Flynn had not discussed santions in the call with Kislyak
January 20: Trump inaugurated president
January 23: Spicer, now White House spokesman, said Flynn had told him the call to Kislyak covered four topics: a plane crash that killed a Russian military choir; Christmas greetings; Russian-led talks over the Syrian civil war; and logistics for a call between Putin and Trump
January 20-30 (exact date unclear): Acting Attorney General Sally Yates briefs Trump officials that intercepted communications indicated Flynn had discussed sanctions with Kislyak in ways she believed were 'highly significant' and 'potentially illegal'
January 30: Trump fires Yates for refusing to defend executive immigration order in court
February 8: Flynn denies in interviews that he discussed sanctions in the calls with Kislyak
February 9: Flynn backpedals, saying through a spokesperson that he 'couldn't be certain' sanctions weren't discussed
February 13: Report breaks of Justice Department concerns about blackmail, and Flynn resigns hours later
Former CIA Director David Petraeus and former US Navy Admiral Michelle Howard are among the names being touted as a replacement.
In his resignation letter, Flynn wrote: ‘I inadvertently briefed the Vice President Elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian Ambassador. I have sincerely apologized to the President and the Vice President, and they have accepted my apology.’
Democrats in the House of Representatives requested a classified briefing within hours of the abrupt resignation announcement.
Reps. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) and Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), respectively the ranking members of the Judiciary and Oversight committees said in a statement: 'We were shocked and dismayed to learn this evening of reports that three weeks ago, U.S. law enforcement officials warned the White House Counsel that General Flynn had provided false information to the public about his communications with the Russian government.'
'The reality is General Flynn was unfit to be the National Security Advisor, and should have been dismissed three weeks ago.'
'We need to know who else within the White House is a current and ongoing risk to our national security,' the statement reported in The Hill said.
The Justice Department weeks ago warned the Trump administration about Flynn's contacts with Russia, according to a report earlier Monday.
Government officials supposedly informed the White House because they were concerned Flynn could be vulnerable to blackmail by the Kremlin.
Former acting attorney general Sally Yates told the new administration last month she was concerned over potential blackmail after Flynn denied that he had discussed sanctions in calls with the Russian ambassador to the U.S., the Washington Post reported just hours before the resignation.
Intelligence intercepts of those calls indicate that they did touch on sanctions in ways Yates believed were 'highly significant' and 'potentially illegal,' leaving the Kremlin with potential leverage over Flynn, the Post reported.
Flynn, a former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, spoke to Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak more than once before Trump took office, sparking concerns that the two were discussing U.S. policy toward Russia.
[h=3]FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE?[/h]Three figures have now been ousted from Trump's circle over ties to Russia:
Carter Page: Was named one of five foreign policy advisors to Trump campaign in March 2016. In September, Page resigned from the campaign after reports that U.S. intelligence officials were investigating contacts between Page and Russians under U.S. sanctions.
Paul Manafort: Joined Trump's campaign in March 2016, named campaign chairman one month later. Resigned in August 2016 after reports that he may have recieved $12.7 million in off-the-books payments from a Kremlin-allied political party in the Ukraine.
Michael Flynn: Joined Trump campaign as an advisor in February 2016. Was reportedly considered as vice president running-mate. Was offered job of National Security Advisor in Trump administration, but resigned after 24 days after reports he'd lied about discussing sanctions rollbacks with Russian ambassador.
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Flynn made numerous phone calls to the Russian Ambassador to the US before Trump took office, and later hinted he may have gone against diplomatic protocol by discussing sanctions
One call took place on the same day that President Obama applied sanctions against Moscow for their alleged interference in the presidential election.
A Trump administration official says the White House was aware of the warning, but it's unclear whether President Donald Trump himself was briefed on the matter.
Earlier Monday, conflicting messages about Flynn's fate criss-crossed cable TV from different corners of the West Wing.
First, Chief White House counselor Kellyanne Conway told MSNBC that President Donald Trump isn't planning to axe Flynn over accusations that he lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his conversations with Russia.
The military veteran stepped down late on Monday night less than a month into President Donald Trump’s administration amid mounting questions over his future and his close links with the Kremlin.
I inadvertently briefed the Vice President Elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian Ambassador.
-FLYNN RESIGNATION LETTER
His stunning announcement, first reported by CNN, came just hours after sources close to the government revealed that the Justice Department had warned the new administration that his links with the Kremlin had put him in a compromising position and left him open to blackmail.
Flynn made numerous phone calls to the Russian Ambassador to the US before Trump took office, and later hinted he may have gone against diplomatic protocol by discussing the rollback of sanctions.
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National Security Advisor Michael Flynn resigned on Monday night over controversy surrounding his contacts with Russia
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Flynn (center) stepped down just 24 days into the Trump Administration
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Flynn's resignation came just hours after sources close to the government revealed that the Justice Department had warned the new administration that his links with the Kremlin had put him in a compromising position and left him open to blackmail
Vice President Mike Pence vouched for Flynn, without knowing the full details of the calls, and gave him his full support. Flynn has now issued a grovelling apology to Pence.
Retired general Keith Kellogg will take over as acting National Security Adviser.
[h=3]TIMELINE OF FLYNN'S RUSSIA TROUBLES[/h]December 29: Obama announces sanctions against Russia over alleged hacks targeting election. Flynn spoke with Russian ambassador Kislyak repeatedly the same day, it was later reported.
December 30: Russian President Vladimir Putin says he will not respond to the sanctions, surprising many U.S. officials. Trump praises Putin's decision as 'very smart.'
January 13: Trump spokesman Sean Spicer says Flynn had called Kislyak merely to set up a phone call between Trump and Putin
January 15: Vice President-elect Mike Pence says in an interview with CBS that Flynn had not discussed santions in the call with Kislyak
January 20: Trump inaugurated president
January 23: Spicer, now White House spokesman, said Flynn had told him the call to Kislyak covered four topics: a plane crash that killed a Russian military choir; Christmas greetings; Russian-led talks over the Syrian civil war; and logistics for a call between Putin and Trump
January 20-30 (exact date unclear): Acting Attorney General Sally Yates briefs Trump officials that intercepted communications indicated Flynn had discussed sanctions with Kislyak in ways she believed were 'highly significant' and 'potentially illegal'
January 30: Trump fires Yates for refusing to defend executive immigration order in court
February 8: Flynn denies in interviews that he discussed sanctions in the calls with Kislyak
February 9: Flynn backpedals, saying through a spokesperson that he 'couldn't be certain' sanctions weren't discussed
February 13: Report breaks of Justice Department concerns about blackmail, and Flynn resigns hours later
Former CIA Director David Petraeus and former US Navy Admiral Michelle Howard are among the names being touted as a replacement.
In his resignation letter, Flynn wrote: ‘I inadvertently briefed the Vice President Elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian Ambassador. I have sincerely apologized to the President and the Vice President, and they have accepted my apology.’
Democrats in the House of Representatives requested a classified briefing within hours of the abrupt resignation announcement.
Reps. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) and Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), respectively the ranking members of the Judiciary and Oversight committees said in a statement: 'We were shocked and dismayed to learn this evening of reports that three weeks ago, U.S. law enforcement officials warned the White House Counsel that General Flynn had provided false information to the public about his communications with the Russian government.'
'The reality is General Flynn was unfit to be the National Security Advisor, and should have been dismissed three weeks ago.'
'We need to know who else within the White House is a current and ongoing risk to our national security,' the statement reported in The Hill said.
The Justice Department weeks ago warned the Trump administration about Flynn's contacts with Russia, according to a report earlier Monday.
Government officials supposedly informed the White House because they were concerned Flynn could be vulnerable to blackmail by the Kremlin.
Former acting attorney general Sally Yates told the new administration last month she was concerned over potential blackmail after Flynn denied that he had discussed sanctions in calls with the Russian ambassador to the U.S., the Washington Post reported just hours before the resignation.
Intelligence intercepts of those calls indicate that they did touch on sanctions in ways Yates believed were 'highly significant' and 'potentially illegal,' leaving the Kremlin with potential leverage over Flynn, the Post reported.
Flynn, a former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, spoke to Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak more than once before Trump took office, sparking concerns that the two were discussing U.S. policy toward Russia.
[h=3]FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE?[/h]Three figures have now been ousted from Trump's circle over ties to Russia:
Carter Page: Was named one of five foreign policy advisors to Trump campaign in March 2016. In September, Page resigned from the campaign after reports that U.S. intelligence officials were investigating contacts between Page and Russians under U.S. sanctions.
Paul Manafort: Joined Trump's campaign in March 2016, named campaign chairman one month later. Resigned in August 2016 after reports that he may have recieved $12.7 million in off-the-books payments from a Kremlin-allied political party in the Ukraine.
Michael Flynn: Joined Trump campaign as an advisor in February 2016. Was reportedly considered as vice president running-mate. Was offered job of National Security Advisor in Trump administration, but resigned after 24 days after reports he'd lied about discussing sanctions rollbacks with Russian ambassador.
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Flynn made numerous phone calls to the Russian Ambassador to the US before Trump took office, and later hinted he may have gone against diplomatic protocol by discussing sanctions
One call took place on the same day that President Obama applied sanctions against Moscow for their alleged interference in the presidential election.
A Trump administration official says the White House was aware of the warning, but it's unclear whether President Donald Trump himself was briefed on the matter.
Earlier Monday, conflicting messages about Flynn's fate criss-crossed cable TV from different corners of the West Wing.
First, Chief White House counselor Kellyanne Conway told MSNBC that President Donald Trump isn't planning to axe Flynn over accusations that he lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his conversations with Russia.
'General Flynn does enjoy the full confidence of the president,' Conway said.
Less than an hour later, press secretary Sean Spicer said in a statement that the president 'is evaluating the situation.'
'He's speaking to Vice President Pence relative to the conversation the Vice President had with Gen. Flynn,' Spicer said, 'and also speaking to various other people about what he considers the single most important subject there is: our national security.'
Retired General Keith Kellogg will take over as acting National Security Advisor
Spicer told reporters in his office on Monday evening that Flynn has not offered to quit his position, and called questions about whether Trump would accept his resignation 'hypothetical.'
He said he had spoken directly with Trump about the latest statement's wording, declaring that it reflected the president's 'current thinking.'
'This is what he asked me to communicate to you,' Spicer recounted.
After flatly denying he'd discussed rolling back sanctions with Russian officials in a January 15 interview, Flynn now says he's uncertain whether the subject came up.
Two administration officials told DailyMail.com on Friday that Flynn was still unsure what he told Kislyak, the Russian ambassador. One said he couldn't be '100 percent' certain sanctions were not discussed.
The president had nothing to say when he was asked about the matter on Friday, and Monday's joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau came and went without a single Flynn-related question.
Trump didn't respond to shouted queries as he left the White House's East Room.
Less than an hour later, press secretary Sean Spicer said in a statement that the president 'is evaluating the situation.'
'He's speaking to Vice President Pence relative to the conversation the Vice President had with Gen. Flynn,' Spicer said, 'and also speaking to various other people about what he considers the single most important subject there is: our national security.'
Retired General Keith Kellogg will take over as acting National Security Advisor
Spicer told reporters in his office on Monday evening that Flynn has not offered to quit his position, and called questions about whether Trump would accept his resignation 'hypothetical.'
He said he had spoken directly with Trump about the latest statement's wording, declaring that it reflected the president's 'current thinking.'
'This is what he asked me to communicate to you,' Spicer recounted.
After flatly denying he'd discussed rolling back sanctions with Russian officials in a January 15 interview, Flynn now says he's uncertain whether the subject came up.
Two administration officials told DailyMail.com on Friday that Flynn was still unsure what he told Kislyak, the Russian ambassador. One said he couldn't be '100 percent' certain sanctions were not discussed.
The president had nothing to say when he was asked about the matter on Friday, and Monday's joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau came and went without a single Flynn-related question.
Trump didn't respond to shouted queries as he left the White House's East Room.
Donald J. TrumpClassic Trump smoke screen. Illegal leaks? Right.
Real story is
1.Was the administration planning to take any action based off the Justice Department's late-January news of Flynn having misled them?
2.Trump professes ignorance about Flynn having misled his administration as recently as Feb. 10. Did the White House counsel really not inform the president about what the Justice Department had told them? Or was it perhaps disregarded once Yates, an Obama appointee, was dismissed in a separate matter?
3.Does the White House truly accept Flynn's contention that he simply forgot about discussing sanctions? Conway's comments Monday suggest they do. But Russian sanctions were one of the biggest stories in U.S. foreign policy at the time.
4.Even if Flynn did truly forget, would it be okay that he discussed something he wasn't supposed to during the phone call?
Real story is
1.Was the administration planning to take any action based off the Justice Department's late-January news of Flynn having misled them?
2.Trump professes ignorance about Flynn having misled his administration as recently as Feb. 10. Did the White House counsel really not inform the president about what the Justice Department had told them? Or was it perhaps disregarded once Yates, an Obama appointee, was dismissed in a separate matter?
3.Does the White House truly accept Flynn's contention that he simply forgot about discussing sanctions? Conway's comments Monday suggest they do. But Russian sanctions were one of the biggest stories in U.S. foreign policy at the time.
4.Even if Flynn did truly forget, would it be okay that he discussed something he wasn't supposed to during the phone call?
Dem, Repub, whatever. I don't get this "ties to Russia" thing. There is a ceiling to any "getting along" (Trump-Speak) with them. Our values and their values simply do not align. They may cross at times (ISIS) but Russia doesn't want what the US wants for neither their own country or the world as a whole. There will never be trust or cooperation on a large scale between the US and Russia. The relationship will always range from adverserial to cold war.
