In a since-deleted tweet, former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn’s brother, Joseph Flynn, implored the President to pardon his brother who, he claimed, “has taken the biggest fall for all of you… in the wake of all this corruption.”
Mr. Flynn’s tweet, of course, suggests that even he – a strong supporter of the President – believes that some degree of nefarious activity has occurred.
The tweet was only posted for about 15 minutes before it was deleted by Mr. Flynn.
The former National Security Adviser has been charged and indicted with one count of lying to the FBI. He is currently cooperating with special counselor Robert Mueller’s ongoing investigation into the Trump campaign’s possible collusion with Russia to influence the outcome of the 2016 election, as well as a possible obstruction of justice charge related to Trump’s dismissal of former FBI Director James Comey.
Joseph Flynn’s tweet came on the heels of Trump’s latest in a long series of tweets intended to discredit Mueller’s probe. Despite the fact that he deleted the tweet, Flynn owned up to its contents.
WOW, @foxandfrlends “Dossier is bogus. Clinton Campaign, DNC funded Dossier. FBI CANNOT (after all of this time) VERIFY CLAIMS IN DOSSIER OF RUSSIA/TRUMP COLLUSION. FBI TAINTED.” And they used this Crooked Hillary pile of garbage as the basis for going after the Trump Campaign!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 26, 2017
“I responded,” Joseph Flynn said, adding, “I said it, and maybe he’s listening.”
Alright Max, you caught me at a moment when I was at the California DMV for 4 hours trying to register my kid's car so reading twitter passing time…. yes i stand by my tweet. This is all my personal opinion and I stand by it
— Joseph J. Flynn (@JosephJFlynn1) December 27, 2017
Flynn later posted a similar tweet, this time without the incriminating “in the wake of all this corruption” qualifier.
Mr. President, I personally believe that a pardon is due to General Flynn, given the apparent and obvious illegitimacy of the manner in which the so called "crimes"he plead guilty to were extracted from him. I ask for quick action on this. Thank you and keep up the good work!
— Joseph J. Flynn (@JosephJFlynn1) December 27, 2017
Just tweeted an updated response… Happy New Year.
— Joseph J. Flynn (@JosephJFlynn1) December 27, 2017
Trump, for his part, has shown at least a veiled willingness to pardon the disgraced former Army general.
When asked by reporters if he would issue a pardon, Trump offered, “I don’t want to talk about pardons for Michael Flynn yet. We’ll see what happens. Let’s see.” (Watch below)
He has also shown a proclivity to disregard both precedent and poor optics regarding the issuance of pardons, as he did with former Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio.
While all agree the U. S. President has the complete power to pardon, why think of that when only crime so far is LEAKS against us.FAKE NEWS
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 22, 2017
The fact that there are already murmurs of a Trump pardon despite actual federal charges levied against this official is a testament to just how committed to “law and order” – a line he spouts off ad nauseam – the President truly is.
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