rumpf Calls Congressional Inquiry a ‘Witch Hunt’
WASHINGTON — President Trump said on Friday that Michael T. Flynn, the national security adviser who resigned last month over his contacts with Russian officials, should ask for immunity from prosecution in the congressional investigation into the presidential campaign’s ties to Moscow. Mr. Trump called the inquiry a “witch hunt” by the news media and Democrats.
The president made the remark on Twitter the morning after it was revealed that Mr. Flynn was seeking an immunity deal as part of an offer to testify in the investigations by the House and Senate Intelligence Committees into Russian meddling. Those inquiries are looking into the presidential election and potential collusion between Mr. Trump’s campaign staff members and the Russians.
“Mike Flynn should ask for immunity in that this is a witch hunt (excuse for big election loss), by media & Dems, of historic proportion!” Mr. Trump wrote.
The president has been eager to dismiss as “fake news” all allegations that members of his campaign colluded with the Russians, and the post appeared to be an effort to discredit the congressional inquiries that are examining those claims. It also appeared to be aimed at defusing any speculation that Mr. Flynn might be seeking immunity because he has incriminating information to share about Mr. Trump or his associates.
Representative Adam B. Schiff of California, the ranking Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, quickly fired back with his own Twitter posts directed at Mr. Trump, saying that his committee would soon uncover the reasons Mr. Flynn wanted immunity.
“The question for you, Mr. President, is why you waited so long to act after you learned Flynn (through your VP) had misled the country?” Mr. Schiff wrote.