Michael Flynn was Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser until he was fired February 13, 2017, serving 24 days. He served in the U.S. Army for 33 years and achieved the rank of Lt. General before a forced early retirement in 2014. He served as assistant direct the Office of Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) from 2011-2012. He was promoted to replace Ronald Burgess as the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2012 and served until August 2014. (source) Flynn was scheduled for retirement but in August 2014 it was announced that he would be replaced by David Shedd. According to the Washington Post, James Clapper told him “leadership change” was in order. (source)
In the military, Flynn told Dana Priest, ” I was the first U.S. officer ever allowed inside the headquarters of the GRU [Russian intelligence]. I was able to brief their entire staff. I gave them a leadership OPD. [Professional development class on leadership] and talked a lot about the way the world’s unfolding.”
Consultation Period
After his retirement, Flynn worked for a range of clients included US communication and intelligence firms and contractors. He also opened a private intelligence firm, Flynn Intel Group whose clients included Russian and Turkish interests.
The Turks
Before taking on Inovo BV (source) owned by Kamil Ekim Alptekin, a Turkish ally of Erdogan, Flynn spoke out against Erdogan’s policies and in favor of his policies. After being hired, Flynn went so far as to write an op-ed against the leaders of the summer 2016 coup attempt against Erdogan. Flynn did not disclose these foreign lobbying that paid him $530,000.
The Russians
According to documents possessed by the House Oversight Committee, Flynn was paid $11,250 from Volga-Dnepr Airlines and $11, 250 by Kaspersky Government Security Solutions. Both firms state the payments are for speeches.
RT Dinner-December 10, 2015
After Flynn’s retirement he appeared on Russian propaganda outlet, RT in news segments and in a forum hosted by Sophie Shevardnadze. Flynn’s appearances arranged through Leading Authorities, LLC, a speakers bureau.
Most notable was an invite by the Russian government to attend an anniversary celebration of Russia Today television. Flynn was paid over $33,750 (Email from RT) plus expenses. (source) Additionally, RT paid for Michael Flynn Jr.’s travel and expenses. After the matter became a controversy, Flynn defended his role at RT to in an interview with Washington Post’s Dana Priest saying it was not unlike going on CNN. “I get paid so much,” he said of the fees received.
Payment Docs from Washington Post
Trump Staff
Flynn says he was contacted in Summer 2015 to meet with Trump. Michael Flynn was considered to be a pick for Vice President early on before Mike Pence was announced. He was prominently mentioned during the campaign as a national security adviser for Donald Trump. Notably he spoke at the RNC convention leading the chant against the opponent, Hillary Clinton with “Lock her up”.
After the Obama administration issues sanctions against Russia for interference with the 2016 Election, Flynn contacted Russian Ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak and discussed sanctions. On January 12, 2017, David Ignatius of the Washington Post broke the news of the conversation. Press Secretary Sean Spicer and Vice President Mike Pence both claimed the calls did not relate to the Obama administration decisions.
On January 23, Press Secretary Sean Spicer tells the press that there was a single call and only four topics were discussed but not the sanctions against Russia. The next day the FBI conducted an interview with Flynn. Days later Acting Attorney General Sally Yates alerts the White House counsel Don McGahn that Flynn’s comments to Kislyak do not match what is being stated publicly. She stated the Russians know what was discussed and thus he was compromised. Yates is fired January 30th. Flynn was fired after the Washington Post reported the White House knew about Flynn’s calls.
Significant Events
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