Feb 14, 2017 - Politics & Policy
Flynn's out
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Saul Loeb / Pool Photo via AP
National Security Adviser Michael Flynn has resigned, saying he "inadvertendly briefed" Mike Pence and others on his phone call with Russia's ambassador.
- Flynn reportedly incensed VP Pence by misleading him about the call, then not fully apologizing, per the NYT.
- Steve Bannon pushed for his resignation since Friday, per the NYT.
- Lt. General Joseph Keith Kellogg, Jr. will be Flynn's temporary replacement. Others in the mix for the permanent job are David Petraeus and Vice Adm. Robert Harward, per WaPo.
- Flynn's problems aren't over, says WaPo: the Army is investigating his 2015 trip to Russia for possible payments, which would violate the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution.
His resignation letter, in full:
In the course of my duties as the incoming National Security Advisor, I held numerous phone calls with foreign counterparts, ministers, and ambassadors. These calls were to facilitate a smooth transition and begin to build the necessary relationships between the President, his advisors and foreign leaders. Such calls are standard practice in any transition of this magnitude.
Unfortunately, because of the fast pace of events, I inadvertently briefed the Vice President Elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian Ambassador. I have sincerely apologized to the President and the Vice President, and they have accepted my apology.
Throughout my over thirty three years of honorable military service, and my tenure as the National Security Advisor, I have always performed my duties with the utmost of integrity and honesty to those I have served, to include the President of the United States.
I am tendering my resignation, honored to have served our nation and the American people in such a distinguished way.
I am also extremely honored to have served President Trump, who in just three weeks, has reoriented American foreign policy in fundamental ways to restore America's leadership position in the world.
As I step away once again from serving my nation in this current capacity, I wish to thank President Trump for his personal loyalty, the friendship of those who I worked with throughout the hard fought campaign, the challenging period of transition, and during the early days of his presidency.
I know with the strong leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence and the superb team they are assembling, this team will go down in history as one of the greatest presidencies in U.S. history, and I firmly believe the American people will be well served as they all work together to help Make America Great Again.
Michael T. Flynn, LTG (Ret) Assistant to the President / National Security Advisor
