Michael Flynn, National Security Adviser, Resigns Over Russia Contacts

Michael Flynn, Donald Trump's national security adviser, resigned from his position Monday night following revelations that he misled the White House about communications concerning sanctions he had with a Russian official back in December.

Many called for Flynn's security clearance to be revoked or for him to be terminated after sources were reporting that, contrary to official statements from the administration, the former general had spoken with Russian Ambassador Sergey I. Kislyak by phone about President Obama's decision to levy sanctions against the country at the end of last year.

"In the course of my duties as the incoming National Security Advisor, I held numerous phone calls with foreign counterparts, ministers, and ambassadors," Flynn said in his resignation letter.

"Unfortunately, because of the fast pace of events, 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," he continued.

"I am tendering my resignation, honored to have served our nation and the American people in such a distinguished way," he added.

The high-profile resignation takes place not even a full month into the new president's term. Many observers pointed out that Flynn's tenure is the shortest of any senior-level official in recent history.

Gen. Keith Kellogg Jr. has become acting national security adviser. Gen. David Petraeus, who once pled guilty to mishandling classified information, is rumored to be under consideration to permanently replace Flynn.

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Flynn's resignation came only shortly after the Washington Post published an incendiary report. It found that the Department of Justice had warned the administration at the end of January that the then-national security adviser had misrepresented the nature of his communications with Russia, noting that he could be subject to blackmail by the Kremlin.

Sally Yates, who Trump subsequently fired, was attorney general and head of the Justice Department at the time.

"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 has provided false information to the public about his communications with the Russian government, but that the Trump administration did nothing about it," said Rep. John Conyers, a Democrat from Michigan, and Rep. Elijah Cummings, a Democrat from Maryland, in a statement Monday night. Both congressmen are on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

"We in Congress need to know who authorized his actions, permitted them, and continued to let him have access to our most sensitive national security information despite knowing these risks," the statement continued. "We Democrats believe that this new disclosure warrants a full classified briefing by all relevant agencies, including the Department of Justice and the FBI, as soon as possible."

Citizens interfering with the foreign policy of the White House, as Flynn may have done if he discussed Obama's sanctions with the ambassador before the Trump's inauguration, could technically violate the Logan Act. However, no one has ever been prosecuted under the act.

On MSNBC Monday afternoon, senior counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway said that Flynn had Trump's "full confidence."

Shortly after that comment, however, the White House press secretary said Trump was evaluating the situation with Flynn.

"He is speaking to Vice President Pence relative to the conversation the vice president had with Gen. Flynn and also speaking to various other people about what he considers the single most important subject there is: our national security," Sean Spicer said.

In addition to the conversation with the ambassador, the Army has been investigating whether Flynn received money from the Russian government during a trip he took to Moscow in 2015, two defense officials told The New York Times. The Emoluments Clause of the Constitution prohibits former military officers from receiving money from a foreign government without Congressional approval.

Pence had defended Flynn over the phone call, claiming that sanctions were not discussed. But multiple sources contacted by both The Washington Post and The New York Times reported that transcripts of the call showed otherwise and that Pence had apparently been duped.

Pressure for action had been growing over the weekend and into Monday.

“Michael Flynn’s conduct was alarming enough before his secret communications with the Russians were exposed. Now, we have a National Security Advisor who cannot be trusted not to put Putin before America," Nancy Pelosi, House minority leader, said in a statement Monday prior to the resignation.

“The conduct of the Trump White House speaks for itself. The reports of the Trump-Russia dossier gain credence with each passing day," she continued. "National security demands that General Flynn be fired immediately.”

During an earlier press conference, Trump called on only two reporters, one from ABC 7 and the other from the Daily Caller; neither asked about Flynn. Other reporters tried to ask Trump questions about the national security adviser, but he declined to respond.

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore