Trump’s fired security adviser wants plea deal before he’ll talk
Donald Trump and Michael Flynn in happier days, before the former general was fired and charged with misleading the FBI. Photo: Getty
President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, has discussed giving testimony in investigations of potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, his lawyer says.
“General Flynn certainly has a story to tell, and he very much wants to tell it, should the circumstances permit,” a statement from lawyer Robert Kelner said.
Mr Kelner said no “reasonable person” with legal counsel would answer questions without assurances.
Mr Flynn was fired in February for failing to disclose talks with Russia’s ambassador, held before Mr Trump took office, about US sanctions on Moscow.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Mr Flynn had sought immunity from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the House and Senate intelligence committees in exchange for his testimony.
The newspaper said he had so far found no takers.
The House of Representatives panel denied the Journal report, and the FBI declined to comment.
The Senate committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Mr Flynn’s lawyer, Mr Kelner, confirmed in a statement that his client had held discussions with the House and Senate intelligence committees. His statement did not mention the FBI.
He said Mr Flynn would not “submit to questioning in such a highly politicised, witch hunt environment without assurances against unfair prosecution”.
The FBI and the House and Senate intelligence committees are investigating allegations that Russians hacked Democratic Party computers and publicly disclosed the information in a bid to tip the November presidential election in favour of Mr Trump, whose views were seen as more in line with the Moscow’s.
They are also looking into possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russians.
Independent Senator Angus King, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, told CNN he could not confirm the Journal report, but “if that turns out to be the case, that’s a significant development, I believe, because it indicates that he has something important to say.”
Thus far, four other Trump associates have come forward in recent weeks, saying they would talk to the committees.
On Monday, Mr Trump’s son-in-law and senior White House adviser Jared Kushner agreed to give testimony to the Senate committee in relation to the Trump campaigns ties to Russia.
As of Wednesday, the Senate intelligence committee had asked to interview 20 people as part of the ongoing investigation.
– with AAP