PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP announced late in the afternoon the day before Thanksgiving that he intends to pardon Michael Flynn, the retired Army lieutenant general who served as his first national security adviser for three weeks and who pleaded guilty twice to lying to federal investigators about his contacts with Russian officials.
“It is my Great Honor to announce that General Michael T. Flynn has been granted a Full Pardon. Congratulations to @GenFlynn and his wonderful family, I know you will now have a truly fantastic Thanksgiving!” Trump wrote on Twitter.
It was not immediately clear for what crimes Trump would pardon Flynn or when. Flynn first pleaded guilty in 2017 to lying to the FBI, one of the many convictions or guilty pleas to come from former special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian ties to the Trump campaign. Flynn has since attempted to withdraw the plea, arguing he was tricked into accepting a plea agreement.
Wednesday’s announcements will serve as arguably the highest profile pardon Trump has issued during his tenure. He has previously granted clemency to other close campaign associates who faced criminal proceedings, including notorious Republican operative Roger Stone.
