Reactions are pouring in after President Donald Trump announced he had granted a pardon to former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
On Wednesday afternoon, Congressional Republicans took to Twitter to praise the decision and accuse officials at the FBI of targeting Flynn in 2017.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) wrote, “What happened to @GenFlynn was a national disgrace. No American should ever be targeted for simply belonging to a certain political party.”
“President @realDonaldTrump is right to pardon the respected three-star general,” he added.
Check out some of the reactions below:
The left and Comey’s FBI destroyed General Flynn’s life to try to take down @realDonaldTrump.
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) November 25, 2020
What happened to him never should have been allowed to happen in America.
Justice has been served.
It’s long overdue to hold the people behind it accountable.
God Bless Michael Flynn!
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) November 25, 2020
This pardon is well deserved, principled, and one of President Trump’s best decisions.
— House Judiciary GOP 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@JudiciaryGOP) November 25, 2020
Every American, including @RepJerryNadler, should be enraged by what James Comey’s FBI did to General Flynn.
Justice! https://t.co/JB9sZS2u9s
Justice! Thank you, Mr. President! https://t.co/ZbfzeWZvHj
— Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) November 25, 2020
Very good use of the pardon power by President @realDonaldTrump.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) November 25, 2020
General Flynn was NOT a Russian agent.
Instead, he was the victim of a politically motivated investigation and prosecution where the ends justified the means. https://t.co/DVi5GbzXFu
Trump announced in a tweet that he had granted Flynn a “full pardon,” as IJR reported.
“Congratulations to [Michael Flynn] and his wonderful family, I know you will now have a truly fantastic Thanksgiving!” he said in a tweet.
Flynn pleaded guilty twice to lying to the FBI, however, earlier this year he sought to withdraw his guilty plea. Additionally, in May, the Department of Justice filed a motion to drop its prosecution of Flynn.
Top Congressional Democrats quickly released statements denouncing the move. House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said, “Donald Trump has repeatedly abused the pardon power to reward friends and protect those who covered up for him. This time he pardons Michael Flynn, who lied to hide his dealings with the Russians.”
“It’s no surprise that Trump would go out as he came in – Crooked to the end,” he added.
And House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) the pardon is “undeserved, unprincipled, and one more stain on President Trump’s rapidly diminishing legacy.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) claimed, “Flynn’s actions constituted a serious and dangerous breach of our national security. He must be held accountable. Yet Trump and his team continue to put the president over country, as they politicize justice to shield Flynn and Trump from the law.”
“Sadly, this pardon is further proof that Trump plans to use his final days in office to undermine the rule of law in the wake of his failed presidency,” she added.