Former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn claims he never called for a Myanmar-style coup in the United States.
During an event in Dallas on Sunday, a member of the audience asked Flynn, “I want to know why what happened in Minamar [sic]can’t happen here?”
Flynn replied, “No reason, I mean, it should happen here. No reason. That’s right.”
In a Telegram post on Monday, Flynn said he never called for “any action of that sort.”
“Let me be VERY CLEAR – There is NO reason whatsoever for any coup in America, and I do not and have not at any time called for any action of that sort,” Flynn wrote.
He continued, “Any reporting of any other belief by me is a boldface fabrication based on twisted reporting at a lively panel at a conference of Patriotic Americans who love this country, just as I do.”
Suggesting he is “no stranger to media manipulating my words,” Flynn explained, “Therefore let me repeat my response to a question asked at the conference: There is no reason it (a coup) should happen here (in America).”
Attorney Sidney Powell, who has previously represented Flynn, said on Monday Flynn in no way encouraged “any act of violence or any military insurrection.”
She argued the media “grossly distorted” Flynn’s remarks.
Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) responded to Flynn’s comments on Twitter, “No American should advocate or support the violent overthrow of the United States.”
No American should advocate or support the violent overthrow of the United States. https://t.co/dpa20pLG4n
— Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) May 31, 2021
Myanmar’s military seized control in February following a general election. According to BBC News, armed forces supported the opposition who claimed there was evidence of widespread fraud and demanded a rerun of the vote.
The coup happened as a new session of parliament was set to take place. On March 27, more than 100 people were killed.