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.
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.”
The news quickly drew mixed reactions on social media:
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
The Justice Department argued, “Continued prosecution of this case would not serve the interests of justice.”