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Trump Calls Congressional Inquiry ‘Witch Hunt’ Trump Calls Congressional Inquiry a ‘Witch Hunt’
(about 1 hour later)
WASHINGTON — President Trump on Friday said Michael T. Flynn, the national security adviser who resigned last month over his contacts with Russian officials, should ask for immunity from prosecution in the congressional investigation into his campaign’s ties to Moscow. Mr. Trump called the probe a “witch hunt” by the media and Democrats. WASHINGTON — President Trump said on Friday that Michael T. Flynn, the national security adviser who resigned last month over his contacts with Russian officials, should ask for immunity from prosecution in the congressional investigation into the presidential campaign’s ties to Moscow. Mr. Trump called the inquiry a “witch hunt” by the news media and Democrats.
The president made the remark in a Twitter posting the morning after it was revealed that Mr. Flynn was seeking an immunity deal as part of an offer to testify in the investigations by the House and Senate intelligence committees into Russian meddling. Those inquiries are looking into the presidential election and potential collusion between Mr. Trump’s campaign staff members and the Russians. The president made the remark on Twitter the morning after it was revealed that Mr. Flynn was seeking an immunity deal as part of an offer to testify in the investigations by the House and Senate Intelligence Committees into Russian meddling. Those inquiries are looking into the presidential election and potential collusion between Mr. Trump’s campaign staff members and the Russians.
“Mike Flynn should ask for immunity in that this is a witch hunt (excuse for big election loss), by media & Dems, of historic proportion!” Mr. Trump said in the message. “Mike Flynn should ask for immunity in that this is a witch hunt (excuse for big election loss), by media & Dems, of historic proportion!” Mr. Trump wrote.
The president has been eager to dismiss as “fake news” all allegations that members of his campaign colluded with the Russians, and the message appeared to be an effort to discredit the congressional probes that are examining those claims. It also appeared to be aimed at defusing any speculation that Mr. Flynn might be seeking immunity because he has incriminating information to share about Mr. Trump or his associates. The president has been eager to dismiss as “fake news” all allegations that members of his campaign colluded with the Russians, and the post appeared to be an effort to discredit the congressional inquiries that are examining those claims. It also appeared to be aimed at defusing any speculation that Mr. Flynn might be seeking immunity because he has incriminating information to share about Mr. Trump or his associates.
It was not clear from Mr. Trump’s posting whether he fully appreciated the potential impact on his administration if Mr. Flynn received immunity to participate fully in the probe. But he has said previously that seeking protection from prosecution is a telltale sign of wrongdoing. It was not clear from Mr. Trump’s post whether he fully appreciated the potential impact on his administration if Mr. Flynn received immunity to participate fully in the investigation. But he has said previously that seeking protection from prosecution is a telltale sign of wrongdoing.
“If you’re not guilty of a crime, what do you need immunity for, right?” he said at a campaign rally in Orlando, Fla., in September. Mr. Trump was referring to Hillary Clinton aides who received immunity during an F.B.I. inquiry into her private email server.“If you’re not guilty of a crime, what do you need immunity for, right?” he said at a campaign rally in Orlando, Fla., in September. Mr. Trump was referring to Hillary Clinton aides who received immunity during an F.B.I. inquiry into her private email server.
His mention of a witch hunt echoed the language used by Mr. Flynn’s lawyer, Robert Kelner, in a statement Thursday evening about possible testimony by his client. “No reasonable person, who has the benefit of advice from counsel, would submit to questioning in such a highly politicized, witch-hunt environment without assurances against unfair prosecution,” Mr. Kelner wrote.His mention of a witch hunt echoed the language used by Mr. Flynn’s lawyer, Robert Kelner, in a statement Thursday evening about possible testimony by his client. “No reasonable person, who has the benefit of advice from counsel, would submit to questioning in such a highly politicized, witch-hunt environment without assurances against unfair prosecution,” Mr. Kelner wrote.
“General Flynn certainly has a story to tell, and he very much wants to tell it, should circumstances permit,” he added.“General Flynn certainly has a story to tell, and he very much wants to tell it, should circumstances permit,” he added.
A congressional official said investigators were unwilling to broker a deal with Mr. Flynn — who resigned last month after admitting he misled White House officials about his contacts with Russia’s ambassador to the United States — until they are further along in their inquiries and they better understand what information Mr. Flynn might offer as part of a deal. A congressional official said investigators were unwilling to broker a deal with Mr. Flynn — who resigned after admitting he misled White House officials about his contacts with Russia’s ambassador to the United States — until they were further along in their inquiries and they better understood what information Mr. Flynn might offer as part of a deal.
The F.B.I. is investigating whether any of Mr. Trump’s advisers colluded with the Russian government in its efforts to disrupt the 2016 presidential election. An immunity deal would make it extraordinarily difficult for the Justice Department to prosecute Mr. Flynn.The F.B.I. is investigating whether any of Mr. Trump’s advisers colluded with the Russian government in its efforts to disrupt the 2016 presidential election. An immunity deal would make it extraordinarily difficult for the Justice Department to prosecute Mr. Flynn.