Donald Trump has pardoned Michael Flynn, his first national security adviser who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about contacts with a Russian official
Trump announced the long-expected pardon in a tweet on Wednesday.
“It is my Great Honor to announce that General Michael T Flynn has been granted a Full Pardon”б – Trump wrote. – “Congratulations to General Flynn and his wonderful family, I know you will now have a truly fantastic Thanksgiving.”
Trump is expected to offer pardons to a number of key aides before he leaves office on 20 January.
He has already commuted the sentence of Roger Stone, a longtime ally who like Flynn, campaign manager Paul Manafort and adviser George Papadopoulos was convicted under special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian election interference and links between Trump and Moscow.
Stone was sentenced to more than three years in prison, after being found guilty of obstruction, lying to Congress and witness intimidation. His conviction stands.
Flynn had not been sentenced. Neither have Trump’s former campaign CEO and White House strategist Steve Bannon, charged with fraud, or his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, reportedly under federal investigation for potential violations of lobbying law.
While the pardon for Flynn was widely expected, its announcement prompted widespread criticism.
Adam Schiff, the Democratic chair of the House intelligence committee, wrote on Twitter: “Donald Trump has repeatedly abused the pardon power to reward friends and protect those who covered up for him. This time he pardons Michael Flynn, who lied to hide his dealings with the Russians. It’s no surprise that Trump would go out as he came in – Crooked to the end.”