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The disgraced, tattered husk of the man known as Michael Flynn finally faced a judge today for sentencing in relation to his guilty plea that he lied to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador in 2016.
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The former-general-turned-crook who served dishonorably as President Trump’s National Security Advisor has become one of the major flash points in the public opinion war over the Mueller investigation.
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Most rational Americans see him as a common criminal, but Trump supporters insist that he was railroaded into lying to the FBI so that they could indict him on trumped up charges. Some of the more unhinged MAGA types are even throwing around the idea that Special Counsel Robert Mueller has suggested no jail time for Flynn as a form of apologizing for the way he was treated by FBI. Of course, the far more likely reason is that Flynn has completely flipped on his former co-conspirators and cooperated to such a degree that he’s earned some leniency.
Now that details from today’s sentencing are trickling out, it’s becoming quite clear that Flynn is very bad news for the Trump administration.
CNN‘s Manu Raju has been reporting on the proceedings via Twitter. Raju says that Flynn has destroyed Trump’s claim that he was tricked by the FBI. Flynn admitted that he was aware that lying to the investigators was a crime when he did it and that he does not wish to rescind his guilty plea. Flynn’s lawyers specifically told Judge Sullivan that Flynn was not “entrapped.”
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NEWS: Michael Flynn just deflated Trump’s contention that he was duped into lying to FBI. "I was aware" that lying to FBI investigators was a crime when he did so over interactions with Russians, Flynn tells judge
"I do not" seek to withdraw the plea, Flynn tells the judge.
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) December 18, 2018
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Judge Sullivan asks Flynn's attorney Stephen Anthony if Flynn was "entrapped by the FBI." Anthony says, "No, your honor." Per @kpolantz
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) December 18, 2018
HuffPost’s Ryan J. Reilly is also reporting on the sentencing and offered additional insights. He says Flynn bluntly admitted that he was guilty in court today, offering no equivocation.
Judge Sullivan giving Flynn one final shot to withdraw his guilty plea. Judge asks if he wants to proceed.
FLYNN: “I would like to proceed.”
Because you’re guilty?
FLYNN: “Yes, your honor.”
Now proceeding.
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) December 18, 2018
The government stated that Flynn has assisted their investigation and already provided the “vast majority” of the cooperative information they expected to glean from him. What exactly this cooperation entailed is still unclear, but it should be enough to make President Trump start sweating.
Gov says the decision to proceed to sentencing is based on the totality of Flynn's assistance. Has already provided “vast majority” of his potential cooperation. Highlights indictment unsealed yesterday against Flynn’s business partner.
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) December 18, 2018
Judge Sullivan went on to ram home the seriousness of Flynn’s crimes repeatedly before dropping the bombshell line: “Arguably, you sold your country out.” The stark articulation of the sentiment should dispel once and for all any absurd argument that Flynn is a patriot. In reality, he is nothing more than a self-interested goon. The judge also said he has “disdain” for Flynn’s crimes and that he can’t promise he won’t see jail time, this despite Mueller’s suggestion.
The judge even floated the idea that Flynn had committed actual treason by lying about his contacts with Russians, but the government apparently didn’t want to go down that road, according to Reilly.
Judge Sullivan to Michael Flynn: “Arguably, you sold your country out."
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) December 18, 2018
Judge Sullivan: “I’m not hiding my disgust, my distain for this criminal offense.”
Says he can’t guarantee he’s going to avoid incarceration. Gives Flynn yet another opportunity to speak with his lawyers.
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) December 18, 2018
Judge Sullivan even asked the government whether Flynn could have been charged with treason for interfering in Russian sanctions imposed by Obama administration. Government didn’t want to go there.
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) December 18, 2018
There was then a brief recess.
They’re now taking a recess until 12:30, at Flynn’s request.
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) December 18, 2018
Reilly reports that after the break was over, the judge decided to temper some of his earlier rhetoric, specifically stepping away from the topic of treason.
Judge Sullivan is now trying to walk back some of his rhetoric before the break. Says he was just asking about treason, not saying that Flynn committed it. “Don’t read too much into the questions I asked.” Sullivan says he couldn’t even tell you what the elements of treason are.
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) December 18, 2018
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Judge Sullivan returned to the fact that Flynn broke the law on White House grounds.
“This case is in a category by itself,” says Sullivan. He’s very interested in the notion that Flynn committed his crime on White House grounds.
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) December 18, 2018
Reilly, clearly shocked, then tweeted out that Flynn’s lawyer sought to delay sentencing. The judge in turn acquiesced and sentencing will resume in March. It’s unclear why, but what is apparent is that the saga of Michael Flynn, and the damage it’s inflicting on the Trump White House, is not yet over.
FLYNN LAWYER NOW SEEKS TO DELAY SENTENCING.
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) December 18, 2018
“Thank you all, and happy holidays.” – Judge Sullivan
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) December 18, 2018
