Congressional Democrats are demanding information on the Justice Department’s decision to seek to drop its prosecution of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.
On Thursday afternoon, the Justice Department filed a motion in court to the drop the case against Flynn — who pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI.
It read, “We do not believe that the Government can prove either the relevant false statements or their materiality beyond a reasonable doubt.”
“The Government is not persuaded that the January 24, 2017 interview was conducted with a legitimate investigative basis and therefore does not believe Mr. Flynn’s statements were material even if untrue,” the motion continued.
Shortly after news that the government was moving to drop the case, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) blasted the move, “This is outrageous! Flynn PLEADED GUILTY to lying to investigators. The evidence against him is overwhelming. Now, a politicized DOJ is dropping the case.”
“The decision to overrule the special counsel is without precedent and warrants an immediate explanation,” he added.
This is outrageous!
— Rep. Nadler (@RepJerryNadler) May 7, 2020
Flynn PLEADED GUILTY to lying to investigators. The evidence against him is overwhelming. Now, a politicized DOJ is dropping the case.
The decision to overrule the special counsel is without precedent and warrants an immediate explanation.
1/2 https://t.co/MxRyWkCMPw
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) also weighed in on the news, “Flynn pled guilty to lying to the FBI about his illicit Russian contacts. His lies do not now become truths. This dismissal does not exonerate him. But it does incriminate Bill Barr. In the worst politicization of the Justice Department in its history.”
Flynn pled guilty to lying to the FBI about his illicit Russian contacts.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) May 7, 2020
His lies do not now become truths.
This dismissal does not exonerate him.
But it does incriminate Bill Barr.
In the worst politicization of the Justice Department in its history.
The news quickly drew mixed reactions on social media:
White privilege at work. https://t.co/KfqzcvwXiV
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 7, 2020
The DOJ has lost its way. But, career people: please stay because America needs you. The country is hungry for honest, competent leadership.
— James Comey (@Comey) May 7, 2020
The @TheJusticeDept dropping charges against Michael Flynn is outrageous. Flynn:
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) May 7, 2020
-lied to federal law enforcement
-violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act
-plead guilty
But because he is a friend of @realDonaldTrump, he gets special treatment. There is a cancer within DOJ. https://t.co/Jro1giDZhD
If you are pissed that @realDonaldTrump is corruptly dropping charges against Flynn then #YouShouldProbablyVote https://t.co/Oe5BoBh0hK
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) May 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/waltshaub/status/1258471954664820739
https://twitter.com/Susan_Hennessey/status/1258469660040839168
Remember that Bill Barr was instrumental to getting people pardoned in the Iran-Contra scandal. He knows that a Trump pardon for Flynn would have political repercussions — so he's providing "legal" cover by (ab)using his power in DOJ to obtain the same result. Disgusting. https://t.co/K2Ligzlobh
— Asha Rangappa (@AshaRangappa_) May 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/mattyglesias/status/1258470985000509441
James Comey just tweeted that “DOJ has lost its way." Given what this motion and the new evidence says about Comey's own conduct, I would hope so if Comey is referring to his way of running the DOJ. Comey is implicated in this ignoble effort to bag a Trump official at any cost.
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) May 7, 2020
JUSTICE. https://t.co/q0HTP5TFzG
— House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) May 7, 2020
Flynn case dropped! Justice for the General.
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) May 7, 2020
Now it’s time to hold someone accountable. https://t.co/SP69HYbsY9
After the government spent years destroying General Flynn’s life, justice has finally prevailed.
— Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) May 7, 2020
This was a set up from DAY ONE.
There MUST be a thorough investigation, and there must be accountability.
If it can happen to a three-star General, it can happen to anyone. https://t.co/k6SLyT8Sqa
The Justice Department argued, “Continued prosecution of this case would not serve the interests of justice.”
