Michael Flynn sentencing: Judge tells ex-Trump national security adviser ‘you sold your country out’ in hearing that ends with delay
Judge tells Flynn 'you sold your country out' during contentious hearing that ends with delay
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A judge has fiercely criticised Michael Flynn, Donald Trump‘s short-lived national security advisor, as he postponed his sentencing for lying to the FBI over contact with Russian officials during the 2016 presidential election campaign.
US District Judge Emmet Sullivan said Flynn had "arguably" sold out his country by lying to federal investigators in 2017, adding, "All along, you were an unregistered agent of a foreign country while serving as the National Security Adviser to the President of the United States."
The sentencing was postponed pending a status report in March, despite Special Counsel Robert Mueller suggesting Flynn receive little to no jail time due to his cooperation in the federal investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
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Judge Sullivan is reading the six-page statement of offence prosecutors and Michael Flynn agreed formed the basis of his charges when he plead guilty in December of last year.
Judge Sullivan is making sure the courtroom hears the statement of offenses against Michael Flynn, accenting each word in the following statement: “This is a very serious offense -- a high-ranking senior official of the government, making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation while on the physical premises of the White House.”
Judge Sullivan appears willing to take into account the Special Counsel’s suggestion Michael Flynn not receive too lengthy of a sentencing, saying, “The court will also consider [the defendant’s] substantial assistance in several investigations.”
The judge has asked federal prosecutors whether or not Michael Flynn is continuing to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
There response left that answer incredibly unclear. The lawyers said it “remains a possibility” Flynn is still cooperating.
The government has said Michael Flynn’s sentencing hearing should continue today and his assistance should still be considered despite it remaining a possibility whether he is continuing to actually cooperate with investigators.
Attorneys noted the unsealed indictments against his two former business partners yesterday, who were seeking the extradition of a Turkish clerk and have been charged with acting as foreign agents.
The judge asked prosecutors whether Michael Flynn could have also been charged in the indictment against his two former business partners at a Virginia courthouse yesterday. The government’s response: “Yes.”
The government also confirmed Flynn’s “exposure” in the case would have been “significant.”
Judge Sullivan appears to be taking Michael Flynn’s crimes extremely seriously, repeatedly telling the court, “This crime is very serious” and “It’s very serious offence.”
“In the White House! In the West Wing!” He said. “You can’t minimize that.”
The judge has asked government attorneys whether Michael Flynn could have been indicted under the Logan Act, along with any other additional charges.
Michael Flynn has requested a recess after the judge asked government attorneys whether he could have been charged with treason. The court is now on break until 12:30.
Judge Sullivan repeatedly asked whether Michael Flynn like a recess repeatedly Tuesday morning, asking if he would like to formally request the judge consider the fact that he may further cooperate with government investigations.
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