Citing 5th Amendment Flynn Refuses to Comply With Senate Subpoena as Manafort, Stone Hand Over Documents

Carter Page Docs MIA

Lt. General Mike Flynn, President Donald Trump‘s fired former National Security Adviser, Monday afternoon refused to comply with a Senate Intelligence Committee subpoena, invoking his Fifth Amendment right. Also today former Trump campaign Chairman Paul Manafort, and former Trump campaign adviser and long-time Trump ally Roger Stone handed over requested documents to the Senate Committee.

“The context in which the Committee has called for General Flynn’s testimonial production of documents makes it clear that he has more than a reasonable apprehension that any testimony he provides could be used against him,” Flynn’s attorneys wrote, The Washington Post reports.

But as NBC News reports, former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page has yet to comply.

“The committee’s letter to Page asked him to list any Russian official or business executive he met with between June 16, 2015 and Jan. 20, 2017. It also asked him to provide information about Russia-related real estate transactions during that period. And it seeks all his email or other communications during that period with Russians, or with the Trump campaign about Russia or Russians,” NBC News reports.

Stone told NBC News, “I gave them all documents that were consistent with their specific request.”

Last year Flynn made a point of noting his displeasure with a Clinton tech aide invoking his Fifth Amendment right:

One stunning development, possibly foreshadowed last week by the Intelligence Committee Chair, is Flynn’s refusal to comply may cost him nothing.

“Flynn’s assertion of the Fifth Amendment will make it difficult for the Senate to enforce its subpoena, Senate aides told NBC News. The Senate could go to court, or go ask the Justice Department to go to court to enforce it,” NBC News, reports, stating that the GOP-controlled Senate would have to support any further action. 

That’s unlikely, unless constituent pressure makes not acting impossible.

Last week, Senate Intelligence Commitee Chairman Richard Burr (R-NC) almost appeared to signal to Flynn that non-compliance might have little consequences.

Thursday morning Burr told reporters, “General Flynn’s lawyer said that he would not honor the subpoena. That’s not a surprise to the committee.”

Burr then added: “We’ll figure out on General Flynn what the next step, if any, is.”

“If any” to some appeared rather disappointing, and to others ominous, especially after Burr later walked back his claim, saying he had spoken too soon.

Apparently not, but if he was trying to send a message to Flynn, it clearly was received.

UPDATE:
Here’s the letter sent to Intel Committee Chair and Ranking Member:

 

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