U.S. President Donald Trump knew for weeks that national security adviser Michael Flynn had misled the White House about his contacts with Russia but did not immediately force him out, an administration spokesman said on Tuesday.
Trump was informed in late January that Flynn had not told Vice President Mike Pence the whole truth about conversations he had before Trump took office with Russia's ambassador to the United States, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said.
Pence learnt of the "incomplete information" that he received from Flynn when news reports surfaced late last week, spokesman Mark Lotter said on Tuesday.
Flynn quit on Monday after Trump asked for his resignation, and the president hopes to pick a new national security adviser by the end of the week, Spicer said.
The departure was another disruption for an administration already repeatedly distracted by miscues and internal dramas since the Republican businessman assumed the presidency on Jan. 20.
U.S. lawmakers, including some leading Republicans, called for a deeper inquiry into not just Flynn's actions but broader White House ties to Russia. Trump has long said that he would like improved relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, said Trump only moved against Flynn because of news media attention, not concern about any wrongdoing.
"The reason they lost faith or trust in General Flynn only last night when they knew for weeks that he had been lying was that it became public," Schiff told MSNBC.
A timeline of events outlined by Spicer and a U.S. official showed that Trump had known for weeks about Flynn misleading the vice president.
Trump, a former reality TV star whose catchphrase was "You're fired!" has often boasted of his eagerness to get rid of subordinates. He was not quick to fire Flynn, a strong advocate of a better relations with Russia and a hard line against Islamist militants.
The Justice Department warned the White House in late January that Flynn had misled Pence by denying to him that he had discussed U.S. sanctions on Russia with Ambassador Sergei Kislyak, a potentially illegal act, a U.S. official said.
Flynn did talk about sanctions with the diplomat, whose calls were recorded by U.S. intelligence officials, the official said. But Pence went on television in mid-January and denied that Flynn had discussed sanctions.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation interviewed Flynn in his early days as Trump's national security adviser regarding his conversations with the Russian ambassador, a White House official confirmed.
Spicer stressed that the administration believed there was no legal problem with Flynn's conversations with Kislyak, but rather an issue over the president's trust in his adviser.
The turning point, Spicer said, was a Washington Post story published on Thursday in which Flynn, through a spokesman, said for the first time he could not say with 100 percent certainty that he had not discussed sanctions with Kislyak.
Spicer said the Justice Department sought to notify the White House counsel on Jan. 26 about the discrepancies in Flynn's accounts.
"The White House counsel informed the president immediately. The president asked them to commit a review of whether there was a legal situation there," Spicer told reporters, saying it was a "trust issue."
Flynn's conversations with the ambassador took place around the time that then-President Barack Obama imposed sanctions on Russia, charging that Moscow had used cyber attacks to try to influence the 2016 presidential election in Trump's favour.
A U.S. official familiar with the transcripts of the calls with the ambassador said Flynn indicated that if Russia did not retaliate in kind for Obama's Dec. 29 order expelling 35 Russian suspected spies and sanctioning Russian spy agencies, that could smooth the way towards a broader discussion of improving U.S.-Russian relations once Trump took power.
LEGAL FALLOUT?
Flynn's discussions with the Russian diplomat could potentially have been in violation of a law known as the Logan Act, which bans private citizens from negotiating with foreign governments about disputes or controversies with the United States. There have been no modern prosecutions using the 1799 law.
"The Logan Act is a red herring. The better question is whether he made any false statements to the FBI at any point, which would be a much bigger deal," said University of Texas law professor Stephen Vladeck, adding the fallout would likely be "political" in nature.
Flynn could also face legal trouble if it emerges that he violated other federal laws in his communications with the Russians, said Andrew Kent, a professor at Fordham University School of Law in New York. The Espionage Act criminalises sharing information with foreign governments.
Democrats, who do not have control of Congress, clamoured for probes into Flynn, and asked how much Trump knew about his connections to Russia.
U.S. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called for an investigation of potential criminal violations surrounding the resignation of Flynn.
"What I am calling for is an independent investigation with executive authority to pursue potential criminal actions," Schumer told reporters, saying such a probe could not be led by newly installed U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions or White House lawyers.
Two leading Senate Republicans, Bob Corker and John Cornyn, said the Intelligence Committee should investigate Flynn's contacts with Russia.
But the highest-ranking Republican in Congress, House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, sidestepped questions about whether lawmakers should look into Flynn's Russia ties, saying he would leave it to the Trump administration to explain the circumstances behind Flynn's departure.
A broader investigation of the White House and its ties to Russia is not possible without the cooperation either of the Justice Department or the Republican-led Congress.
Russia's aggression in Ukraine and Syria and Republican congressional opposition to removing sanctions on Russia make any White House attempt to embrace Putin problematic.
Senator John McCain, a leading Republican voice on foreign relations, said Flynn's resignation raised questions about the administration’s intentions towards Putin’s Russia.
Reuters
Wed Feb 15 2017
![Trump knew for weeks that aide was misleading over Russia - White House Trump knew for weeks that aide was misleading over Russia - White House](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-02/51487119737_MichaelFlynn.jpg)
Michael Flynn (L) arrives to deliver a statement next to Press Secretary Sean Spicer during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, February 1, 2017. REUTERS
![KKM nafi remaja menyamar doktor rawat pesakit KKM nafi remaja menyamar doktor rawat pesakit](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723275350_remajaperempuan.jpg)
KKM nafi remaja menyamar doktor rawat pesakit
Kementerian Kesihatan menafikan remaja yang menceroboh Hospital Sultan Idris Shah, Serdang, baru-baru ini melakukan prosedur kepada pesakit.
![PRK Nenggiri: Peratusan keluar mengundi indikator, tawan semula atau status quo PRK Nenggiri: Peratusan keluar mengundi indikator, tawan semula atau status quo](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723697236_CalonPRKNenggiri.jpg)
PRK Nenggiri: Peratusan keluar mengundi indikator, tawan semula atau status quo
Peratusan keluar mengundi akan menjadi antara indikator penting yang menentukan keputusan Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Nenggiri Sabtu ini, sama ada Barisan Nasional (BN) berjay
[TERKINI] Banduan Iran ditahan disyaki miliki heroin
Seorang banduan lelaki warga Iran yang sedang menjalani hukuman penjara 30 tahun di Penjara Tapah ditahan pada petang Rabu kerana disyaki memiliki dadah jenis heroin.
!['Keluarga mula sedar kehilangan Nidza Afham selepas dimaklumkan kekasihnya' - Aufahanie 'Keluarga mula sedar kehilangan Nidza Afham selepas dimaklumkan kekasihnya' - Aufahanie](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723698722_NidzaAfham.jpg)
'Keluarga mula sedar kehilangan Nidza Afham selepas dimaklumkan kekasihnya' - Aufahanie
Aufahanie mendedahkan dia dan ahli keluarga mula sedar tentang kehilangan abangnya, Nidza Afham selepas dimaklumkan oleh kekasih arwah abangnya itu.
[TERKINI] Pembunuhan Cikgu Istiqomah: Polis serahkan kertas siasatan kepada PPN hari ini
Kertas siasatan berhubung kes pembunuhan kejam guru wanita Istiqomah Ahmad Rozi, 33, akan diserahkan kepada Pejabat Pendakwaan Negeri (PPN) hari ini untuk arahan lanjut.
![Polis tahan banduan warga Iran miliki dadah di Penjara Tapah Polis tahan banduan warga Iran miliki dadah di Penjara Tapah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723698023_AziziMatAris.jpg)
Polis tahan banduan warga Iran miliki dadah di Penjara Tapah
Seorang banduan warga Iran yang sedang menjalani hukuman di Penjara Tapah didapati memiliki dadah jenis heroin.
![Jangan normalkan remaja bawah umur memandu Jangan normalkan remaja bawah umur memandu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723017349_TBbawahumur.jpg)
Jangan normalkan remaja bawah umur memandu
Masyarakat dinasihatkan untuk tidak menormalkan perbuatan memandu kenderaan oleh remaja bawah umur yang berbahaya termasuk boleh mengakibatkan kematian.
AWANI Ringkas: Bukan arahan saya - Fahmi Fadzil
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Wang kertas tertera wajah Raja Charles dilelong RM5.2 juta
Wang kertas tertera wajah pemerintah monarki Britain, Raja Charles III, berjaya dilelong pada harga 914,127 pound Sterling (RM5.2 juta) dalam empat siri lelongan di London baru-baru ini.
Penemuan takungan air, saintis percaya wujud hidupan di Marikh
Jumlah takungan air yang banyak jauh di dalam kerak planet Marikh, menimbulkan semula persoalan dalam kalangan saintis yang percaya tentang kemungkinan wujudnya hidupan di planet merah tersebut.
![Temu bual Trump bersama Musk di X terganggu akibat serangan DDoS Temu bual Trump bersama Musk di X terganggu akibat serangan DDoS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723520099_DonaldJTrump.jpg)
Temu bual Trump bersama Musk di X terganggu akibat serangan DDoS
Menurut Elon Musk, serangan Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) besar-besaran mengganggu wawancara secara langsungnya dengan calon Presiden AS, Donald Trump.
![Pengurusan Celine Dion kecam Trump guna lagunya semasa berkempen Pengurusan Celine Dion kecam Trump guna lagunya semasa berkempen](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81722078641_celinedion.jpg)
Pengurusan Celine Dion kecam Trump guna lagunya semasa berkempen
Pasukan pengurusan Dion mengeluarkan kenyataan bagi pihak artis Kanada itu dan syarikat rakamannya, mengatakan penggunaan lagu berkenaan "sama sekali tidak dibenarkan".
![Trump setuju sertai tiga debat pada September, tunggu jawapan Kamala Harris Trump setuju sertai tiga debat pada September, tunggu jawapan Kamala Harris](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723155925_MAshup.jpg)
Trump setuju sertai tiga debat pada September, tunggu jawapan Kamala Harris
Trump umum hasratnya untuk tambah dua lagi sesi debat dengan pesaingnya, Harris di stesen televisyen Fox dan NBC.
![Trump setuju debat dengan Kamala Harris pada 4 Sept Trump setuju debat dengan Kamala Harris pada 4 Sept](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81722664895_USElectionKamala.jpg)
Trump setuju debat dengan Kamala Harris pada 4 Sept
Trump berkata beliau mencapai persetujuan dengan Fox News untuk mengadakan debat dengan Harris pada 4 Sept di Pennsylvania.
![Trump sifatkan pembukaan Olimpik Paris sebagai 'memalukan' Trump sifatkan pembukaan Olimpik Paris sebagai 'memalukan'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721599360_DonaldTrump.jpg)
Trump sifatkan pembukaan Olimpik Paris sebagai 'memalukan'
Calon presiden Amerika Syarikat, Donald Trump menyifatkan upacara pembukaan Sukan Olimpik Paris minggu lepas sebagai memalukan.
![Biden umum pelan pembaharuan Mahkamah Agung pada Isnin - Laporan Biden umum pelan pembaharuan Mahkamah Agung pada Isnin - Laporan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81722058877_JoeBiden.jpg)
Biden umum pelan pembaharuan Mahkamah Agung pada Isnin - Laporan
Presiden Amerika Syarikat Joe Biden berhasrat mengemukakan cadangan penting yang bertujuan untuk mereformasi Mahkamah Agung pada Isnin.
![FBI sahkan telinga Trump memang terkena peluru semasa cubaan bunuh FBI sahkan telinga Trump memang terkena peluru semasa cubaan bunuh](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720920437_DonaldTrump.jpg)
FBI sahkan telinga Trump memang terkena peluru semasa cubaan bunuh
Bekas Presiden Amerika Syarikat (AS) Donald Trump terkena peluru semasa percubaan pembunuhannya awal bulan ini, menurut kenyataan FBI.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71709993909_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Dewan Perwakilan AS sebulat suara undi tubuhkan pasukan petugas, siasat cubaan bunuh Trump Dewan Perwakilan AS sebulat suara undi tubuhkan pasukan petugas, siasat cubaan bunuh Trump](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721893961_DonaldTrump.jpg)
Dewan Perwakilan AS sebulat suara undi tubuhkan pasukan petugas, siasat cubaan bunuh Trump
Dewan Perwakilan Amerika Syarikat (AS) pada Rabu sebulat suara mengundi untuk menubuhkan pasukan petugas dwipartisan yang bertanggungjawab menyiasat cubaan bunuh bekas Presiden Donald Trump.
![Ringgit ditutup tinggi berbanding dolar US menjelang pengumuman data IHP AS Ringgit ditutup tinggi berbanding dolar US menjelang pengumuman data IHP AS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/41713876066_TBringgitmalaysia.jpg)
Ringgit ditutup tinggi berbanding dolar US menjelang pengumuman data IHP AS
Ringgit ditutup tinggi berbanding dolar Amerika Syarikat (dolar US) hari ini berikutan minat belian baharu menjelang data Indeks Harga Pengguna (IHP) Malaysia, kata seorang penganalisis.