Even Conway Can’t Sufficiently Defend Trump’s Not Firing Flynn Last Month – Because He Should Have
Matt Lauer held Kellyanne Conway’s feet to the fire over the Trump administration’s handling of the Michael Flynn scandal which erupted late Monday night with the retired general’s resignation as National Security Advisor.Â
Flynn had repeated calls with Russian officials and as they regularly do, America’s intelligence agencies reportedly were able to listen to those conversations. Sally Yates, the acting head of the Dept. of Justice told the Trump administration, presumably President Trump, in January that Flynn was susceptible to being blackmailed by the Russians yet Trump took no action.
Flynn reportedly also talked with Russian officials about President Obama’s sanctions, but later lied to Vice President Pence, claiming he had not.
On Tuesday’s “Today” show, host Matt Lauer discussed the administration’s failure to act.
Lauer pointed out that as late as Monday afternoon Conway publicly stated Flynn had the president’s full support. “So had he not resigned the president would have continued with him as National Security Advisor,” an incredulous Lauer asked Conway, “even though he misled the vice president and the administration about the contents of that call?”
Conway delivered a les-then credible response, so Lauer interrupted.
“So wait a minute – you’re saying that was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” he said, of the admittance by Flynn he “misled” Pence when he falsely claimed to not have discussed sanctions with Russian officials. “The White House knew about that last month,” Lauer reminded Conway. “The Justice Dept. warned the White House that General Flynn had not been completely honest in characterizing that conversation with the Russian ambassador.”
Lauer, who generally does not hold hard-hitting interviews, didn’t stop there.
“They even went further to say as a result of that dishonesty, he was at risk for blackmailing by the Russians,” Lauer concluded.
RELATED: Full Text of Michael Flynn’s Resignation Letter
Conway’s response?
“Well, that’s one characterization,” she said, reminiscent of her infamous “alternative facts” remarks. “But the fact is that Gen. Flynn continued in that position and was in the presidential daily briefings, was part of the leader calls, as recently as yesterday.”Â
Conway did not seem to understand that Flynn’s presence was a problem, not the sign of a healthy administration.
“Kellyanne,” Lauer interrupted again, “that makes no sense.”Â
“Last month the Justice Dept. warned the White House that Gen. Flynn had misled them and as a result he was vulnerable to blackmail, and at that moment he still had the complete trust of the president?”
Conway could only respond with, “Matt, I’m telling you what the president has said,” and “we’re moving on.”
Watch:
Some responses via Twitter:
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