president trump said saturday had fire michael flynn national security adviser because lied vice president pence , fbi, apparent shift reasons trump stated @ time of flynn's ouster.
trump’s changing rationale discrepancy catch attention of prosecutors on mueller’s team looking whether president tried obstruct investigation.
"i had fire general flynn because lied vice president , fbi. has pled guilty lies," trump tweeted while traveling in new york city fundraising events.
trump stressed “there nothing hide!”
"it shame because actions during transition lawful. there nothing hide!" added.
president’s tweet substantial reaction yet flynn’s guilty plea in special counsel robert mueller's russia investigation.
before leaving white house on saturday, trump told reporters there “no collusion” between campaign , moscow — did not elaborate.
flynn pleaded guilty on friday lying federal investigators conversations during presidential transition russia's u.s. ambassador sanctions related kremlin’s election interference.
retired army general said topics did not come in talks then-ambassador sergey kislyak, claim repeated publicly pence , other white house officials.
trump in february said axed flynn because lied vice president — did not mention related national security adviser told fbi.
“i fired him because of said
mike pence. simple,” trump said @ feb. 16 news conference, 3 days after flynn fired.
then-fbi director james comey testified before congress trump asked him end investigation flynn during oval office meeting on feb. 14. trump's lawyers have disputed account.
trump fired comey in may.
if trump knew flynn had lied fbi , asked comey drop investigation, amount obstruction of justice, according legal experts.
"this pretty substantial confession essential knowledge elements of obstruction of justice charge,"
tweeted susan hennessey, national security fellow @ brookings institution.
unclear if trump’s tweet offered new details knew @ time or if president using flynn’s plea retroactively explain firing.
either way, flynn’s confession has dramatically raised legal stakes trump , white house in mueller probe.
former national security adviser first person have held position in trump administration charged special counsel.
flynn, close trump confidant during 2016 election, said in statement friday cooperating mueller's team, meaning possible reveal damaging information trump or members of inner circle.
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