Cozy Relationship With Russian Officials Questioned
In a move that was anticipated by some political observers, White House National Security Adviser Michael Flynn has resigned as a result of the controversy over his Russian contacts.
Flynn had allegedly discussed the United States sanctions with the Russian Federation Ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Ivanovich Kislyak, in December of 2016 in a phone call prior to the Trump administration taking control of the government on January 20.
Justice Department officials and senior officials of the American intelligence community had warned the administration that Flynn was potentially vulnerable to blackmail by the Russian government.
Flynn’s alleged discussion with the Russian Ambassador had also touched off a firestorm of criticism on Capital Hill with Democrats calling for his removal.
Some Republican lawmakers had also expressed concern, given that under the terms of the Logan Act, a Federal law that specifically prohibits private citizens from negotiating public or foreign policy and diplomacy with a foreign government, it appeared that Flynn had violated the terms of the statue.
According to his letter of resignation, Flynn wrote that he had “inadvertently briefed the Vice-president elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian Ambassador.”
In a late evening statement released by the White House, it was announced that Joseph Keith Kellogg has been appointed interim National Security adviser.
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