Michael Flynn, National Security Advisor?
Dec 16, 2016 · 2 min read
Meet Retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, Donald Trump’s pick for National Security Advisor. By now you might know that Flynn is a hothead who traffics in fake news, was fired by the Pentagon for being unfit, and reportedly had to be physically restrained by Chris Christie during an intelligence briefing. But there are so many more reasons why Michael Flynn is an alarming choice to be National Security Advisor:
On Russia:
- Made regular appearances on Russia Today, a state-sponsored propaganda channel, where he has criticized U.S. policy while praising Vladimir Putin and defending Russia’s intervention in Syria
- Was paid to attend and address a dinner for Russia Today, where he sat at Vladimir Putin’s table
- Failed to inform the Pentagon that he was appearing at the gala, which he should have done since he still held a security clearance at the time
On his conduct:
- Fired from his role at the Pentagon for being unfit and contentious
- Reportedly had to be physically and verbally restrained by Chris Christie in an intelligence briefing
- Reportedly claimed to have lied in order to get his security clearance, and violated Pentagon rules by setting up his own internet connection in his office
- Interacts regularly on Twitter with white nationalists
- Stokes anti-Semitic and Islamophobic rhetoric online
- Frequently shared false or misleading news stories (his grasp of the truth was repeatedly questioned by his colleagues who joked about “Flynn facts”)
- Representative Adam Schiff, ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee: “What [Flynn] has expressed is dangerous and harmful to us”
- Senator Tim Kaine: “Gen. Flynn’s trafficking in conspiracy stories that a fourth grader would find incredible suggests either that he’s highly gullible or that he’s so consumed with malice that he loses his ability to judge what’s fact and what’s fiction”
On other foreign ties:
- Sat in on Donald Trump’s national security briefings while he was also running a consulting firm that worked with foreign clients
- Altered his position on the attempted coup in Turkey after his firm was hired by a company with ties to the Turkish president
Michael Flynn’s lack of judgment, unstable temperament, and mysterious ties to Russia and other foreign players make him a frightening choice for National Security Advisor.
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