Politics

Trump Breaks Silence on Flynn: His Actions With Russia ‘Were Lawful’

The president tweeted Saturday on his former advisor's plea

President Donald Trump speaks on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Oval Office of the White House in January. Also pictured, from left, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, Vice President Mike Pence, White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon, Press Secretary Sean Spicer and National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images file photo)
President Donald Trump speaks on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Oval Office of the White House in January. Also pictured, from left, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, Vice President Mike Pence, White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon, Press Secretary Sean Spicer and National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images file photo)
By John T. Bennett
Posted December 2, 2017 at 1:08pm

President Donald Trump on Saturday contended that former national security advisor Michael Flynn did nothing illegal during the 2016 campaign, tweeting that Flynn erred only in lying to federal officials. 

“I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies,” Trump tweeted. 

He called it “a shame” that Flynn was charged with one count of misleading federal officials and pleaded guilty on Friday. 

 

Why? According to Trump: “Because his actions during the transition were lawful.”

 

For months, Trump has contended his campaign did not collude with the Kremlin nor conduct in any illegal activities.

 

He continued that line of defense on Saturday, tweeting: “There was nothing to hide!”