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.
DOJ unveils nationwide tax fraud crackdown involving 76 defendants, nearly $500M in alleged losses
Breaking: The DOJ Has Seized Ilhan Omar’s Phone
Dem AG targets Trump on voting while his state sends rights letters to dead people
Metallica Frontman Triggers Leftists with Subtle Shot at Zach Bryan, Macklemore, and Jelly Roll
Mamdani accuses Blakeman of ‘bigotry and racism’ in breakout debate that mayor didn’t watch
Lindsay Clancy mistrial holdout says he thought she was ‘methodical’ in the ‘execution’ of her children
Ken Paxton sues major baby food companies, alleging dangerous levels of heavy metals
AOC puts her standing as progressive leader on the line by hitching wagon to el Sayed
Federal Judge Sides with CNN, Politico, MS NOW in Battle Against White House
Massive trove of Republican voter and donor info breached in Biden DOJ probe: Senate chairman
Some pollsters think their results are exaggerating Democrats’ support, and angry ex-Trumpers are the cause
Apple Launches New Gadget with ‘Painfully Bad’ Ad That’s Making People ‘Actively Not Want to Buy the Product’
Iowa Dem Senate candidate says he’s too busy campaigning to attend all state House votes
Missing Summer Wells’ father arrested on domestic assault charge in Tennessee
Mystery woman sought after American found dead in Costa Rican tourist destination
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.
