President TrumpDonald John TrumpMinnesota certifies Biden victoryTrump tells allies he plans to pardon Michael Flynn: reportRepublican John James concedes in Michigan Senate raceMORE on Wednesday pardoned Michael Flynn, his first national security adviser who pleaded guilty to a charge in connection with former special counsel Robert MuellerRobert (Bob) MuellerCNN’s Toobin warns McCabe is in ‘perilous condition’ with emboldened TrumpCNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meetingThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: New Hampshire falloutMOREs Russia investigation.
Trump announced the decision in a tweet, saying he was honored to grant Flynn a Full Pardon. He congratulated his former national security adviser and wished him a Happy Thanksgiving.
It is my Great Honor to announce that General Michael T. Flynn has been granted a Full Pardon. Congratulations to @GenFlynn and his wonderful family, I know you will now have a truly fantastic Thanksgiving!
Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 25, 2020
Trumps decision to pardon Flynn, who was a top surrogate for his 2016 campaign, follows widespread speculation the president would do so and comes in the waning days of his term in the White House. Trump has refused to concede the election despite Joe BidenJoe BidenMinnesota certifies Biden victoryTrump tells allies he plans to pardon Michael Flynn: reportBiden says staff has spoken with Fauci: ‘He’s been very, very helpful’MORE being projected the winner almost three weeks ago.
The move will bring an end to Flynns dramatic case, three years after he originally pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators about his contacts with the top Russian diplomat in the United States and agreed to cooperate with Muellers investigation. Flynn pleaded guilty to one count of willingly and knowingly making false statements to the FBI as part of the cooperation deal announced in December 2017.
Flynn moved to withdraw his guilty plea in January of this year, however, after changing his attorneys. The Justice Department later took the extraordinary step of seeking to drop the charges against the former national security adviser, saying his false statements were not material to the investigation.
The case had stalled as Flynn was awaiting sentencing for lying to the FBI. After a failed emergency appeal from Flynns legal team, U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan had been weighing the question of whether to grant the Justice Departments sudden motion to drop its charges.
The DOJ reversed course on the prosecution in May, arguing that it no longer had confidence in the FBI investigation that led to Flynns interrogation in early 2017. The decision intensified questions about political interference in prosecutorial matters, coming just a few months after the DOJ overruled career prosecutors who had recommended a lengthy prison sentence for another Trump ally, the longtime GOP operative Roger StoneRoger Jason StoneWashington braces for unpredictable post-election periodLike it or not, a Trump self-pardon may be coming soonThis election is headed to the courts, but Democrats have lawyers tooMORE, who had just been convicted of lying to Congress and witness tampering.
Stone was ultimately sentenced to more than three years in prison, but Trump commuted his sentence in July, right before he was scheduled to report to a federal corrections facility.
Flynns tenure at the White House was both fleeting and chaotic. Trump fired Flynn in February 2017, less than a month after taking office, after it was revealed that the adviser withheld information to Vice President Mike PenceMichael (Mike) Richard PenceBiden-Harris ticket the first in US history to surpass 80 million votesMost Republicans in new poll say they’d vote for Trump in 2024Press: Trump’s biggest fear is lock him upMORE and other White House officials about his contacts with then-Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak.
Trumps base of supporters have advocated for a Flynn pardon. Trump has offered words of support for his former adviser and said that he was treated unfairly by the FBI in recent months, even going so far to say in July that he would welcome Flynn back in a role at the White House.
Trump is said to be considering issuing a number of pardons before he leaves office, and reports emerged this week that he planned to pardon Flynn.
Flynn joins a list of individuals with connections to the president that he has pardoned. Trump in July commuted Stones prison sentence, which also stemmed from the Mueller investigation. In early 2020, Trump commuted the sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D), and pardoned former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik and financier Michael Milken.
Sidney Powell, Flynns attorney, admitted in court in September that she had discussed her clients case with the president, but had urged him not to issue a pardon.
Powell was part of the Trump campaign legal team trying to challenge the results in several key states that the president lost to Biden. She was unceremoniously cut loose by the campaign on Sunday after making questionable claims of widespread fraud from elections officials.
President Trump on Wednesday pardoned Michael Flynn, his first national security advise…
