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Several close confidants of the US president were charged in the course of the Russia investigation. For Trump, the investigation was a “witch hunt.” Before leaving the White House, you are now creating facts.
US President Donald Trump pardoned his former national security adviser Michael Flynn. It is a great honor for him to announce that Flynn, who was indicted in the Russia case, will receive a full pardon, Trump said on Twitter.
At the same time, he congratulated the former general and his “wonderful family”: “I know they will now have a really fantastic Thanksgiving.”
Influence the judiciary?
Trump had repeatedly dismissed the investigation into Russia’s influence in the 2016 US elections and the alleged collusion with his campaign team as a “witch hunt.” Flynn had only served as a national security adviser for just over three weeks in 2017. Later, in the course of the investigation into possible Russian influence, he admitted to lying to the FBI Federal Police. He is also said to have lied to Vice President Mike Pence about the matter. Flynn was the only one to plead guilty to the investigations of FBI Special Investigator Robert Mueller. Later, the former general withdrew the admission of guilt.
In May, the Justice Department called for the Flynn investigation to be halted in a highly unusual step. One is not convinced that his hearing in January 2017 was conducted on a legitimate investigative basis, he said among other things. Trump later hailed Flynn as a “hero.” Critics suspected political influence in the judiciary. The case was caught in a federal court after the controversial advance of the Ministry of Justice. The judge responsible there had not agreed to drop the charges against Flynn.
Stone previously already pardoned
Before Flynn, Trump had saved his old confidante Roger Stone from prison in connection with the Russia investigation. Just days before Stone was due to go to jail, Trump released him. In February, Stone was sentenced to three years and four months in prison after being found guilty of perjury before Congress, witness tampering and obstruction of Congress.
Observers hope the president will be able to pardon other confidants at the end of his term on January 20.
