Drama As Trump's National Security Adviser, Michael Flynn, Quits Over 'Leaked Ties' With Russia

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Earlier, US media reported that the Justice Department had warned the White House about the contacts late last month. They said that Mr Flynn might be vulnerable to Russian blackmail. It is illegal for private citizens to conduct US diplomacy, and the calls happened late last year before Mr Flynn was appointed to the administration. A number of senior Democrats had called for Mr Flynn to be fired. The national security adviser is appointed by the president to serve as his or her chief adviser on international affairs and defence. What did Mr Flynn say about the phone call? In his letter of resignation (PDF), Mr Flynn said he had “inadvertently briefed the vice-president-elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian ambassador”. A White House statement said Lt Gen Joseph Keith Kellogg had been appointed as interim replacement for the post. Mr Flynn, a retired Army lieutenant general, initially denied having discussed sanctions with Ambassador Sergei Kislyak, and Vice-President Mike Pence publicly denied the allegations on his behalf. Questions have been raised about Mr Flynn’s closeness with Russia. He was pictured dining with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in December 2015 But he came under further pressure on Monday when details of his phone call emerged in US media, as well as reports the justice department had warned the White House about him misleading senior officials and being vulnerable to Russian blackmail. According to the Washington Post, the message was delivered by then-acting attorney general Sally Yates, who was subsequently dismissed by President Trump for opposing his controversial travel ban. What are the Russians saying? Russian politicians have so far spoken in defence of Mr Flynn, with Senator Alexei Pushkov tweeting that he had been “forced to resign not because of his mistake but because of a full-fledged aggressive campaign”. “Trump is the next target,” he tweeted. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied on Monday that Mr Flynn and Mr Kislyak had discussed lifting sanctions. From inauguration to full-blown scandal and a high-level resignation in 24 days. That simply has to be some kind of record. Donald Trump never does anything small. If his administration is going to have a political crisis, why waste any time? From the day he was announced as Mr Trump’s national security adviser, there were concerns about Michael Flynn’s questionable contacts with Russia both before and after November’s election. The ground crumbled beneath his feet only recently, however, after revelations that his conversation with a Russian ambassador included talk of US-imposed sanctions. The mortal blow came late on Monday, with reports that Obama-era government officials had warned the Trump White House about the details of these calls in January. Now Mr Flynn has been cut loose, but that may not be enough to staunch the bleeding. Congressional Democrats – and perhaps some Republicans – will want to find out who was informed about Mr Flynn’s contradictory stories and why nothing was done earlier. How far up the chain of command does it go? For Adverts Inquiries, call 08033857245; To Receive News Updates, WhatsApp: 08083609209; To Publish Your Articles Or News Stories, Email editor@skytrendnews.com. READ ALSO! Flying Bird Allegedly Falls From Sky In Lagos, Reportedly Turns To An Old Woman (PHOTOS) READ ALSO! READ What This Pretty Female Teacher Did With 3 Young Boys: You Will Be Shocked! READ ALSO ! This Doctor Filmed Himself Having Sex With Patient: What Happened Next Will Shock You! READ ALSO! I Never Knew There Was Something Sweet In Women Until I Married — ‘Virgin’ Pastor]]>