The Rule of Law Applies to Everyone Even You Michael Flynn

Michael Flynn is a former National Security Advisor to the Trump administration and has admitted to lying to the FBI about talks he had with the Russian Ambassador weeks before President Trump took office.

In 2016, the Obama administration placed sanctions on Russia for interfering in the US elections. On 24th January 2017, in an FBI interview, Michael Flynn denied telling Russia not to retaliate to the sanctions in an effort to alter their foreign policy before President Trump took office. Later, Flynn said that he lied. This lie is pertinent to the much larger investigation into the Russian interference in the 2016 US elections. Usually, lying to the FBI would be considered a felony, but not under the Trump administration.

Twice Michael Flynn has said under oath that he had lied to the FBI and has even signed a statement under penalty for perjury. But, in 2019, Flynn refused to cooperate and withdrew his guilty plea, saying that his previous lawyers had advised him to plead guilty.

William Priestap, the F.B.I.’s counterintelligence chief at the time, wrote in a brainstorming session prior to the interview- “What’s our goal? Truth/admission or to get him to lie, so we can prosecute him or get him fired?” Mr. Flynn's lawyers have used this to argue that their client was entrapped. However, the FBI did what the FBI has always done. And this is mere strategy hence, it doesn’t necessarily amount to entrapment.

On 7th May, the Justice Department, very conveniently dropped its case against Michael Flynn on grounds that there was no legitimate investigation to prove that Mr. Flynn's lies were material lies. John Gleeson, former federal judge, has been appointed to challenge this decision and examine whether Michael Flynn committed perjury- lying under oath.

We mustn’t forget that Michael Flynn has pleaded guilty twice. Flynn had the constitutional right to remain silent, but he chose to speak and he chose to lie. As of now, the Justice Department's handling of the Michael Flynn case reeks of government influence and disregard for the rule of law.

Written by: Haneen Farid