Flynn Pleads Guilty

Michael Flynn briefly served as President Donald Trump’s national security adviser. On December 1, Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He also agreed to cooperate with the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Robert Mueller is leading the investigation. He is looking to see if there was coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia.

According to court documents, Flynn made false statements to the FBI. The statements have to do with his talks with Russia’s former ambassador to the U.S. 


The documents say a “very senior member” of Trump’s team told Flynn to contact Russian officials. The talks took place after Trump was elected but before he took office.

Mueller’s willingness to work with Flynn suggests Flynn has information that could be valuable. Flynn is the fourth person to be charged with crimes as part of the investigation. In October, the FBI arrested Paul Manafort. He was Trump’s campaign manager. He pleaded not guilty.

Ty Cobb is a White House lawyer. “Nothing about the guilty plea or the charge implicates anyone other than Mr. Flynn,” Cobb said in a statement.

Flynn also made a statement. “My guilty plea and agreement to cooperate with [Mueller’s] investigation reflect a decision I made in 
the best interests of my family and our country,” he said. “I accept full responsibility for my actions.”