![[Image Credit: Gage Skidmore/Flickr]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/12/2/660x290/b_502x220x82/image-credit-gage-skidmoreflickr_1716607.jpg "[Image Credit: Gage Skidmore/Flickr]")
While his former adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in the investigation into the alleged links between the United States and Russia, Donald Trump reaffirmed on Saturday (December 2nd) that there was "no collusion" between his campaign staff and Russia.
The US president was questioned by reporters about the decision of his former national security adviser to plead guilty for lying to the FBI and to cooperate with the law. A moment later, he returned to the subject via a tweet in which he claims to have dismissed Michael Flynn earlier this year "because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI."
I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2017
President Trump knew of Flynn's lies
This wording suggests that Donald Trump was aware by the time he fired Flynn of his lies to the FBI.
Former FBI director James Comey, who was fired by the president in May, said Trump personally asked him to give up an investigation against Michael Flynn.
Many journalists have pointed out that if these elements are proven, the President of the United States could be suspected of obstructing the exercise of justice. Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller's investigation into Moscow's interference in the US presidential election does not, for the time being, speak of collusion, but Michael Flynn's indictment shows that he has made considerable progress.
The witch hunt thesis wanes
The investigations officially aim to establish possible links between Donald Trump's campaign team and the Russian authorities in 2016.
Since October 2016, US intelligence has been accusing Russia of having interfered in the American presidential election by hacking Democrat websites. Donald Trump has denied any cooperation with Moscow.
While referring to facts after the election, the questioning of Michael Flynn weakens the thesis of a "witch hunt" defended for months by the President of the United States.
The former general, who was among the first supporters of Trump, has officially acknowledged lying to the FBI regarding telephone discussions with the then-Russian ambassador in Washington, Sergei Kislyak.
These exchanges took place at the end of December 2016, between the election and the inauguration of Donald Trump. Michael Flynn was appointed a month earlier to the position he briefly held.
Michael Flynn is the fourth person close to Donald Trump involved in this investigation led by Robert Mueller who, unlike a simple federal prosecutor, has a greater scope for action and enhanced independence. The first wave of indictments occurred in late October with the indictment of Paul Manafort, the former director of his campaign team, and Richard Gates. A third, George Papadopoulos, pleaded guilty to lying to FBI investigators and agreed to cooperate.
