(MENAFN- NewsBytes)
Michael Flynn, US President Donald Trump's recently fired national security adviser, has sought immunity to testify at hearings regarding Russia's alleged US election interference.
Flynn's lawyer claimed his client "has a story to tell" but must be protected against "unfair prosecution."
The US Senate Intelligence Committee has opened it hearing.
Flynn's links to Russia are being scrutiny by the FBI and other government bodies.
Timeline 14 Feb 2017 Trump's NSA Michael Flynn resigns over Russia links
US President Donald Trump's National Security Advisor Michael Flynn has resigned, according to the White House.
The move comes after several news-outlets reported that former acting attorney general Sally Q. Yates had warned the White House that Flynn may have been vulnerable to blackmail from Russia.
Flynn had reportedly spoken to the Russian ambassador about sanctions prior to Trump's inauguration and misled US officials.
Fact Russia denies Flynn discussed lifting of sanctions with ambassador
The Kremlin said Flynn did not discuss sanctions during his conversations with Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak. The US imposed sanctions on Russia over Moscow's actions in Ukraine and its alleged role in the hacking of the US Democratic Party.
What happened? Flynn put himself in a "compromising position" warned Justice Department
Flynn was reportedly under "evaluation" after the Department of Justice warned the White House of inconsistencies in what Flynn had said about his contact with the Russian ambassador.
It's illegal for American private citizens to conduct diplomacy. The calls took place late last year, before Flynn was appointed as NSA by Trump.
The DOJ said Flynn "had put himself in a compromising position."
Fact Flynn may have misled VP Mike Pence
Flynn had initially denied discussing sanctions with the Russian Ambassador. Vice-President Mike Pence also publicly denied the allegations on Flynn's behalf. The DOJ told the White House that Flynn had misled Pence, the Washington Post reported. Flynn subsequently apologized to Pence.
Profile Who is Michael Flynn
Flynn is a retired army lieutenant general who previously served as the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency.
"Unfortunately, because of the fast pace of events, I inadvertently briefed the Vice President elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian ambassador," wrote Flynn in his NSA resignation letter.
The White House named Retired General Keith Kellogg as acting NSA.
15 Feb 2017 Trump was aware of Michael Flynn's Russia phone call
When asked about his National Security Advisor's pre-inauguration contact with a Russian ambassador, Trump said, "I don't know about that. I haven't seen it."
However, White House spokesperson Sean Spicer said that the President was aware of Flynn's Russia phone-calls weeks ago.
He also added that three weeks after Trump got to know, Flynn was asked to resign due to "an erosion of trust."
21 Feb 2017 Trump appoints Herbert Raymond McMaster as new NSA
US President Donald Trump has appointed Lt Gen Herbert Raymond McMaster as the new National Security Advisor following Michael Flynn's resignation, describing him as a "man of tremendous talent and tremendous experience".
Gen (retd) Keith Kellogg, acting NSA, will now be assigned as Trump's national security council chief of staff.
The White House has allowed McMaster to bring in his own team.
31 Mar 2017 Fired Trump NSA seeks immunity to testify on Russia interference
Michael Flynn, US President Donald Trump's recently fired national security adviser, has sought immunity to testify at hearings regarding Russia's alleged US election interference.
Flynn's lawyer claimed his client "has a story to tell" but must be protected against "unfair prosecution."
The US Senate Intelligence Committee has opened it hearing.
Flynn's links to Russia are being scrutiny by the FBI and other government bodies.
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