The Justice Department has moved to drop its case against former national security Michael Flynn.
Flynn’s response was this adorable video of his grandson reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
My grandson Travis…“and JUSTICE for ALL” ⚖️❤️🙏🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/IuOGugjOC3
— General Mike Flynn (@GenFlynn) May 7, 2020
Flynn originally pleaded guilty of lying to the FBI in late 2017, in his defense, they threatened his family and backed him into a corner. But plans to drop the case came after internal memos were released and raised questions about the nature of the investigation.
As the Department of Justice put it, “After a considered review of all the facts and circumstances of this case, including newly discovered and disclosed information” officials said they concluded that Flynn’s interview was “untethered to, and unjustified by, the FBI’s counterintelligence investigation to Mr. Flynn.” Furthermore, the interview conducted was without any legitimate investigative basis.
Still, the federal judge overseeing the case would have the final say on whether to dismiss it or not.
Aided by his new attorney, Flynn has been trying to withdraw his plea for months by challenging the prosecution’s case and conduct. But the case has been moving slowly through the court system with no resolution. At one point there was even speculation that President Trump would extend a pardon.
Documents that have been unsealed reveal agents discussed their motivations for interviewing him in the Russia probe. The question was whether they wanted to “get him to lie” so he would be prosecuted or fired, or get him to admit some wrongdoing.
The latest Department of Justice filing noted Flynn’s false statement plea was to a crime that required a statement “to be not simply false, but ‘materially’ false with respect to a matter under investigation.
According to the filing the government “is not persuaded that the January 24, 2017 interview was conducted with a legitimate investigative basis and therefore does not believe Mr. Flynn’s statements were material even if untrue.”
Of course, Trump critics were not happy about this decision.
