CNN reports that Special Counsel Robert Mueller has charged former Trump national security advisor Michael Flynn with “willfully and knowingly” making “false, fictitious and fraudulent statements” to the FBI regarding conversations with Russia’s ambassador.
Bloomberg reports:
Flynn is scheduled to appear at a plea hearing in a Washington D.C. court at 10:30 a.m. The charge against Flynn, 58, adds another prominent defendant to Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. He had already secured indictments against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his deputy, as well as a guilty plea from a junior foreign policy adviser.
BREAKING NEWS: Mike Flynn will plead guilty this morning of lying to the FBI. This means he is indeed cooperating with Mueller as Mueller climbs up the food chain.
— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) December 1, 2017
"This appears almost certainly to be a guilty plea by Michael Flynn." — @JeffreyToobin
— Chris Cillizza (@CillizzaCNN) December 1, 2017
JUST IN: Special counsel Robert Mueller's office has just announced that former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn will plead *guilty* to a perjury charge in Russia investigation. pic.twitter.com/J23YCGimgr
— CBS This Morning ? (@CBSThisMorning) December 1, 2017
BREAKING: Michael Flynn plea deal with Robert Mueller is official. Several major news outlets confirming. He’ll plead guilty in court today to a single minimal charge of lying to the FBI. This means he must have given up EVERYTHING on Donald Trump. Get the popcorn! ??????
— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) December 1, 2017
Now: Special Counsel Robert Mueller charges Michael Flynn with making a false statement to the FBI pic.twitter.com/Jy6ffAZUHj
— Ryan Barber (@cryanbarber) December 1, 2017
It's not nice to gloat. But in this case it's appropriate. https://t.co/CWQ17tA97N
— John Schindler (@20committee) December 1, 2017
499: Number of days between when Michael Flynn led a “Lock her up!” chant at the 2016 Republican Convention and pleading guilty of lying to the FBI
— Gabriel Snyder (@gabrielsnyder) December 1, 2017
"Comrade Flynn? The Central Party Committee has no record of a Comrade Flynn ever working for the Glorious Leader. If you are referring to the wrecker, hoarder, saboteur and filthy kulak Michael Flynn, we have no comment at this time."
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) December 1, 2017
There’s only one charge and he’s pleading guilty—which means Michael Flynn flipped like a fucking pancake
— Dana Schwartz (@DanaSchwartzzz) December 1, 2017
This is the first indictment (and guilty plea) of someone working directly for @POTUS in as high a role as exists in the White House during the Trump presidency itself. And it strikes at the heart of conspiracy with foreign powers against the U.S. The curtain is coming down.
— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) December 1, 2017
Mike Flynn should ask for immunity in that this is a witch hunt (excuse for big election loss), by media & Dems, of historic proportion!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 31, 2017
That Flynn pled to one count, given all his exposure, suggests he got a good deal. Question is, what did he offer prosecutors in exchange?
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) December 1, 2017