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.
Kennedy Center tries to regain upper hand in renovation war: ‘Has institutional support’
Troy Jackson, an anti-corporate Maine Senate hopeful, touts endorsements from lobbyists
Intruder Storms ‘Today’ Show Set and Attacks Host
Trump says Josh Shapiro ‘doesn’t have what it takes’ as he moves to define him before 2028
Alleged Feeding Our Future fraud ringleader transferred from Somalia to face US charges
Insurance companies put on notice for stranding trans patients who want to reverse surgeries
GOP’s $95B defense package survives critical hurdle amid fiscal hawk revolt
Blue Angels flyover ignites social media; Hegseth, Eric Trump respond
FCC Set to Rule Against ‘The View’: Report
Navy Launches Investigation After Low Airshow Flyover Causes Chaos on the Ground
Bessent invokes assassination attempt ‘2 hours after being sworn in’ in dramatic brushback of leftist threat
Missouri teen girl shot and killed at home, and now 3 friends face charges
Dems roasted for comparing Hegseth’s testosterone initiative to ‘gender-affirming care’
Watch: Professor Who Clams He Got Fired for Crazy Pro-Abortion Antics Comes Back for Revenge and Flops Even Harder
Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: Spotlighting 250 years of Jewish contributions to America
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.
