House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) took to Twitter to criticize President Donald Trump for his most recent tweet.
Trump announced that he is considering a full pardon for former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.
He tweeted, “So now it is reported that, after destroying his life and the life of his wonderful family (and many others also), the FBI, working in conjunction with the Justice Department, has ‘lost’ the records of General Michael Flynn.” He added, “How convenient, I am strongly considering a Full Pardon!”
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1239242219019735042
In 2017, Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his exchanges with Russia’s ambassador to the United States. He has argued that his rights were violated by prosecutors and that they tricked him into taking a plea agreement, as IJR previously reported.
Former Federal Prosecutor Sidney Powell reportedly argued that the case should be dismissed for the reason of “abuse of power and trust.”
Schiff was quick to respond to Trump’s latest focus on Flynn instead of focusing on the coronavirus outbreak.
He tweeted:
“Mr. President, keep your focus on the current crisis. The delay in testing and your failure to lead are already costing us dearly. Your attacks on the independence of the justice system and rewarding of cronies who lied for you can wait. Incompetence kills.”
Mr. President, keep your focus on the current crisis. The delay in testing and your failure to lead are already costing us dearly.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) March 15, 2020
Your attacks on the independence of the justice system and rewarding of cronies who lied for you can wait.
Incompetence kills. https://t.co/uebbLzWBtE
Trump continues to receive criticism from lawmakers for his response to the coronavirus crisis. He most recently tested negative for the coronavirus and extended a travel ban to Britain and Ireland, as IJR previously reported.
Schiff’s criticism extends further back as he was a part of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) team that led the impeachment inquiry in the House. Trump was charged with obstruction of Congress and abuse of power.
He was impeached in the House but later acquitted in the Senate.