House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) reacted angrily to the Department of Justice dropping its criminal case against former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn Thursday, saying Attorney General William Barr’s “politicization of justice knows no bounds.”
“Barr’s politicization of justice knows no bounds. Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators in the face of overwhelming evidence – but now, Barr’s Justice Department is dropping the case to continue to cover up for the president,” Pelosi said in a statement. “Overruling the Special Counsel is without precedent and without respect for the rule of law.”
Earlier Thursday, the DOJ moved to dismiss its case against Flynn, who pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI regarding his contacts with Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak during President Donald Trump’s transition. The retired Army lieutenant general pleaded guilty in 2017 as part of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into now-debunked collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign.
The Justice Department in January switched its sentencing recommendation for Flynn from probation to six months in jail, prompting the former Trump official to withdraw his guilty plea, citing prosecutors breaking their plea agreement.
Thursday’s development comes after handwritten notes that were written by FBI officials questioned whether the “goal” was “to get him to lie, so we can prosecute him or get him fired” — a reference to agents’ interview with Flynn.
Idaho mom who claimed vaccines killed her twin babies charged with murdering her kids
Accused Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson fights back as prosecutors’ sprawling case comes into focus
NYC health officials warn Central Park visitors after Legionnaires’ outbreak grows on Upper East Side
Pilot declares mayday before seaplane comes down in New York City’s East River
Toddler declared dead after near-drowning was found alive in hospital morgue hours later, police say
Michigan Democrat Mallory McMorrow drops out of Senate race weeks before primary
NYPD detective, children shot in separate Brooklyn shootings over holiday weekend
Iranians call for Trump’s death at funeral for assassinated ayatollah: ‘Seek revenge’
Trump shares news of ‘crystal clear’ Reflecting Pool, calls for vandalism suspect’s arrest
Bill Clinton blasts Trump as Americans mark nation’s 250th anniversary
Watch: UK Police Do It Again, Attack White Kid for Crime of Being Slammed on Ground by Black Kid
Watch a Gun-Range Officer Halt Some Hollywood Antics on the Spot
Here Are The Voters Backing Democratic Socialists
California Man Pleads Guilty to Harassing Guthrie Family With Fake Ransom Notes
Newsom blames Trump for DOJ probe, but reports say investigation predates his administration
Prior to the filing being made public, prosecutor Brandon Van Grack, moved to withdraw from the case.
A couple of months ago, President Trump said he was “strongly considering” pardoning Flynn, suggesting that the FBI and Justice Department lost records related to the case.
Speaking to reporters Thursday in the Oval Office, the president described Flynn as “an innocent man,” “a great gentleman.”
“He was targeted by the Obama administration and he was targeted in order to try and take down a president,” Trump said.
“And I hope a lot of people are going to pay a big price because they’re dishonest, crooked people. They’re scum and I say it a lot, they’re scum, they’re human scum. This should never have happened in this country.”
Trump also criticized the media coverage of Flynn’s case and the Russia investigation, calling on journalists to give back their Pulitzer Prizes.
Story cited here.
