Democrats Call for ‘Immediate Explanation’ of Decision to Drop Flynn Case

Congressional Democrats are demanding information on the Justice Department’s decision to seek to drop its prosecution of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.

On Thursday afternoon, the Justice Department filed a motion in court to the drop the case against Flynn — who pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI.

It read, “We do not believe that the Government can prove either the relevant false statements or their materiality beyond a reasonable doubt.”

“The Government is not persuaded that the January 24, 2017 interview was conducted with a legitimate investigative basis and therefore does not believe Mr. Flynn’s statements were material even if untrue,” the motion continued.

Shortly after news that the government was moving to drop the case, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) blasted the move, “This is outrageous! Flynn PLEADED GUILTY to lying to investigators. The evidence against him is overwhelming. Now, a politicized DOJ is dropping the case.”

“The decision to overrule the special counsel is without precedent and warrants an immediate explanation,” he added.

https://twitter.com/RepJerryNadler/status/1258473309030752256

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) also weighed in on the news, “Flynn pled guilty to lying to the FBI about his illicit Russian contacts. His lies do not now become truths. This dismissal does not exonerate him. But it does incriminate Bill Barr. In the worst politicization of the Justice Department in its history.”

https://twitter.com/RepAdamSchiff/status/1258484733559930880

The news quickly drew mixed reactions on social media:

https://twitter.com/IlhanMN/status/1258507324571807745

https://twitter.com/Comey/status/1258483360957116417

https://twitter.com/tedlieu/status/1258466866772668416

https://twitter.com/RepSwalwell/status/1258470562298580992

https://twitter.com/waltshaub/status/1258471954664820739

https://twitter.com/Susan_Hennessey/status/1258469660040839168

https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_/status/1258473638971441154

https://twitter.com/mattyglesias/status/1258470985000509441

https://twitter.com/JonathanTurley/status/1258500367035359232

https://twitter.com/JudiciaryGOP/status/1258464368456499206

https://twitter.com/Jim_Jordan/status/1258470445260705792

https://twitter.com/RepDougCollins/status/1258467762042810373

The Justice Department argued, “Continued prosecution of this case would not serve the interests of justice.”