Levels of trust between Moscow and Washington have deteriorated since US&nbsp;President Donald Trump took office, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview broadcast on Wednesday, Reuters reports.

Asked about relations since Trump became president, Putin said, according to a transcript of the interview released by the Kremlin: &quot;One could say that the level of trust on a working level, especially on the military level, has not improved, but rather has deteriorated.&quot;

Asked about accusations that Syria&#39;s government launched a chemical weapons attack in Idlib province, Putin said that Damascus had given up its chemical weapons stocks, Reuters reports.

He said he believed there were two main explanations for the incident in Idlib province: that Syrian government air strikes had hit rebel chemical weapons stocks, releasing poisonous gas, or that the incident was a set-up designed to discredit the Syrian government.

&nbsp;

Downplaying Russia-US connection?

Putin&#39;s claim that Moscow&#39;s relations have worsened since Trump has taken office comes as the FBI is investigating Russian interference in the US election designed to benefit Trump, and whether or not anyone in the Trump campaign actively worked with Russian agents.

It also comes a day after Eric Trump, the US President&#39;s son, also distanced Washington from Moscow.

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph published yesterday, referring to America&#39;s strike last week against a Syrian airbase on April 4,&nbsp;US President Donald Trump&#39;s son Eric Trump asserted:&nbsp;&quot;If there was anything that Syria did, it was to validate the fact that there is no Russia tie.&quot;

Yesterday, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-obtained-court-order-to-monitor-ex-trump-adviser-in-russia-probe-washington-post-14431" target="_blank">The Washington Post</a>&nbsp;reported that last summer&nbsp;the FBI convinced a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court judge that there was probably cause to believe that former Trump&nbsp;adviser Carter Page, who worked with the campaign during the 2016 federal election, was a Russian agent.

Just over two weeks ago it was reported that Trump&#39;s son-in-law Jared Kushner, himself a top White House adviser, met with Russian bank officials officially under Western&nbsp;sanctions.&nbsp;

Days ago it was reported that he failed to disclose dozens of such meetings&nbsp;on US security clearance forms. Failure to make such a&nbsp;disclosure&nbsp;could be a felony.

<a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/327753-kushner-didnt-disclose-meetings-with-russians-on-security-clearance" target="_blank">The Hill</a> reports that Kushners laws claim the omissions were an error, and that top White House aide&#39;s notified the FBI the following day with additional information. More, his aides claim&nbsp;he is only using a temporary security clearance now.

Trump&#39;s pick for National Security Adviser Michael Flynn had to resign after it came to light that he misled the administration about his concversation with the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak.

Trump&#39;s pick for Attorney General Jeff Sessions&nbsp;recused himself from the investigation into Trump-Russia after it emerged that he also lied under oath about meeting Ambassador Kislyak.

(WION)

The claim comes just after Trump's son also distanced Washington from Moscow, amid an FBI investigation into the connection between the two

Levels of trust between Moscow and Washington have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump took office, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview broadcast on Wednesday, Reuters reports. Asked about relations since Trump became president, Putin said, according to a transcript of the interview released by the Kremlin: "One could say that the level of trust on a working level, especially on the military level, has not improved, but rather has deteriorated." Asked about accusations that Syria's government launched a chemical weapons attack in Idlib province, Putin said that Damascus had given up its chemical weapons stocks, Reuters reports. He said he believed there were two main explanations for the incident in Idlib province: that Syrian government air strikes had hit rebel chemical weapons stocks, releasing poisonous gas, or that the incident was a set-up designed to discredit the Syrian government. Downplaying Russia-US connection? Putin's claim that Moscow's relations have worsened since Trump has taken office comes as the FBI is investigating Russian interference in the US election designed to benefit Trump, and whether or not anyone in the Trump campaign actively worked with Russian agents. It also comes a day after Eric Trump, the US President's son, also distanced Washington from Moscow. In an interview with The Daily Telegraph published yesterday, referring to America's strike last week against a Syrian airbase on April 4, US President Donald Trump's son Eric Trump asserted: "If there was anything that Syria did, it was to validate the fact that there is no Russia tie." Yesterday, The Washington Post reported that last summer the FBI convinced a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court judge that there was probably cause to believe that former Trump adviser Carter Page, who worked with the campaign during the 2016 federal election, was a Russian agent. Just over two weeks ago it was reported that Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, himself a top White House adviser, met with Russian bank officials officially under Western sanctions. Days ago it was reported that he failed to disclose dozens of such meetings on US security clearance forms. Failure to make such a disclosure could be a felony. The Hill reports that Kushners laws claim the omissions were an error, and that top White House aide's notified the FBI the following day with additional information. More, his aides claim he is only using a temporary security clearance now. Trump's pick for National Security Adviser Michael Flynn had to resign after it came to light that he misled the administration about his concversation with the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak. Trump's pick for Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from the investigation into Trump-Russia after it emerged that he also lied under oath about meeting Ambassador Kislyak. (WION)

Putin says US-Russia ties worse since Trump took office

FBI Director James Comey confirmed for the first time Monday that the agency is investigating Russian interference in last year&#39;s presidential election and notably Moscow&#39;s possible collusion with President Donald Trump&#39;s campaign.

The FBI &quot;is investigating the Russian government&#39;s efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election,&quot; Comey told a hearing by the House Intelligence Committee.

&quot;And that includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia&#39;s efforts,&quot; he said.

Watch&nbsp;FBI Director Comey describe&nbsp;his agency&#39;s assessment of the Russian motive behind hacking the Democrats.

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Comey: Russia&#39;s goals in 2016 were to hurt U.S. democracy, hurt Hillary Clinton and help Trump <a href="https://t.co/IF9lRnsNN1">pic.twitter.com/IF9lRnsNN1</a>
&mdash; Axios (@axios) <a href="https://twitter.com/axios/status/843855998179840001">March 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Background

Several members of Trump&#39;s team during the election, and official members of his administration once taking office, have lied about their contact with Russian officials.&nbsp;

Notably, National Securtity Adviser<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-national-security-adviser-michael-flynn-resigns-12377" target="_blank"> Michael Flynn</a>, who had to resign after misleading US Vice President Mike Pence about his contact with Russian ambassador to the United States,&nbsp;Sergey Kislyak.&nbsp;Flynn had promised Pence he had not discussed US&nbsp;sanctions with the Russians, but transcripts of intercepted communications, described by US&nbsp;officials, showed that the subject had come up in conversations between him and Kislyak.

Also, Attorney General <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-russia-sessions-may-be-blackmailed-by-kremlin-says-former-white-house-chief-ethics-officer-12984" target="_blank">Jeff Sessions</a>, who had to recuse himself from any investigation into Trump&#39;s alleged Russian connections after it came to light that he lied under oath about not having contact with any Russian officials, when actually he had also met at least twice with Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak.

When asked in February of 2016&nbsp;if anyone from his staff had communicated with Russia during his election campaign, Mr&nbsp;Trump said: &ldquo;Nobody that I know of&rdquo;.&nbsp;

During the campaign, Roger Stone was a top Trump adviser for a time. He has since <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-ally-says-he-worked-with-assange-pre-election-to-spread-clinton-emails-in-abusive-twitter-tirade-13089" target="_blank">admitted </a>to having a &quot;perfectly legal back channel&quot; to Julian Assange, whose website WikiLeaks published hacked emails from Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, which Trump repeatedly&nbsp;used during the campaign to cudgel Clinton.

It has also since come to light that Stone also had private contact with Guccifer 2.0, the identity of the person&nbsp;who hacked the Democrats. US intelligence says Guccifer 2.0 is&nbsp;really GRU, or Russian military intelligence. Thus, an official member of Trump&#39;s election campaign admitted to having communication with both WikiLeaks and the Russian hacker who hacked the Democrats.&nbsp;

Roger Stone has denied&nbsp;any wrongdoing.

Other members of Trump&#39;s team who lied about contact with Russian&nbsp;officials before the November 8, 2016 US election&nbsp;include: Paul Manafort, Carter Page, JD Gordon, and even Donald Trump himself.

Trump&#39;s son-in-law and White House senior adviser Jared Kushner also met&nbsp;with Russian ambassador Segey Kislyak, but after the election.

Trump took to Twitter early in the morning before the&nbsp;House Intelligence Committee hearing to denounce the ongoing story between his election campaign and Russia, calling it &quot;FAKE NEWS&quot;. &nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

The agency is investigating Russia's interference in the US election, but also whether or not Trump's team actively worked with them

FBI Director James Comey confirmed for the first time Monday that the agency is investigating Russian interference in last year's presidential election and notably Moscow's possible collusion with President Donald Trump's campaign. The FBI "is investigating the Russian government's efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election," Comey told a hearing by the House Intelligence Committee. "And that includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia's efforts," he said. Watch FBI Director Comey describe his agency's assessment of the Russian motive behind hacking the Democrats. Comey: Russia's goals in 2016 were to hurt U.S. democracy, hurt Hillary Clinton and help Trump pic.twitter.com/IF9lRnsNN1 — Axios (@axios) March 20, 2017 × Background Several members of Trump's team during the election, and official members of his administration once taking office, have lied about their contact with Russian officials. Notably, National Securtity Adviser Michael Flynn, who had to resign after misleading US Vice President Mike Pence about his contact with Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak. Flynn had promised Pence he had not discussed US sanctions with the Russians, but transcripts of intercepted communications, described by US officials, showed that the subject had come up in conversations between him and Kislyak. Also, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who had to recuse himself from any investigation into Trump's alleged Russian connections after it came to light that he lied under oath about not having contact with any Russian officials, when actually he had also met at least twice with Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak. When asked in February of 2016 if anyone from his staff had communicated with Russia during his election campaign, Mr Trump said: “Nobody that I know of”. During the campaign, Roger Stone was a top Trump adviser for a time. He has since admitted to having a "perfectly legal back channel" to Julian Assange, whose website WikiLeaks published hacked emails from Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, which Trump repeatedly used during the campaign to cudgel Clinton. It has also since come to light that Stone also had private contact with Guccifer 2.0, the identity of the person who hacked the Democrats. US intelligence says Guccifer 2.0 is really GRU, or Russian military intelligence. Thus, an official member of Trump's election campaign admitted to having communication with both WikiLeaks and the Russian hacker who hacked the Democrats. Roger Stone has denied any wrongdoing. Other members of Trump's team who lied about contact with Russian officials before the November 8, 2016 US election include: Paul Manafort, Carter Page, JD Gordon, and even Donald Trump himself. Trump's son-in-law and White House senior adviser Jared Kushner also met with Russian ambassador Segey Kislyak, but after the election. Trump took to Twitter early in the morning before the House Intelligence Committee hearing to denounce the ongoing story between his election campaign and Russia, calling it "FAKE NEWS". (WION with inputs from AFP)

FBI director confirms agency is probing Russian links to Trump campaign

The Republican chairman of a US congressional committee on intelligence said on Sunday that he has seen &nbsp;&quot;no evidence&quot; that President Donald Trump&#39;s campaign colluded with Russia during the run up to the 2016 elections.

Based on &quot;everything I have up to this morning -- no evidence of collusion,&quot; said US Representative Devin Nunes, head of the House Intelligence Committee, speaking to Fox News on a television program on Sunday.

Nunes also said the panel would investigate the intelligence leak of the probe on former national security adviser Michael Flynn&#39;s ties to Russia.

Nunes, however, said the leak involving Michael Flynn was a crime and that the panel was probing whether other names were leaked.

&quot;The one crime we know that&#39;s been committed is that one: the leaking of someone&#39;s name ...,&quot; Representative Devin Nunes, chairman of the House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, told Fox News Sunday.

Trump fired Flynn from the post of his former national security adviser&nbsp;last month after he failed to disclose that he met Russia&#39;s ambassador before Trump took charge on January 20.

The Congressional panel chief&#39;s remarks come a day before FBI director James Comey is due to appear before the panel, facing lawmakers seeking answers about Trump&#39;s potential Russia ties and the president&#39;s&nbsp;accusation of wiretapping by his predecessor Barack Obama.

Nunes, House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan and other leading Republicans have said no such wiretap took place.

Nunes repeated on Fox News that he did not believe any such wiretapping took place. 
 
The Russian government has rejected an accusation by US intelligence agencies that it worked to influence the election in Trump&#39;s favor.

(WION with inputs from AFP, Reuters)

Nunes, however, said the leak involving Michael Flynn was a crime and that the panel was probing whether other names were leaked

The Republican chairman of a US congressional committee on intelligence said on Sunday that he has seen "no evidence" that President Donald Trump's campaign colluded with Russia during the run up to the 2016 elections. Based on "everything I have up to this morning -- no evidence of collusion," said US Representative Devin Nunes, head of the House Intelligence Committee, speaking to Fox News on a television program on Sunday. Nunes also said the panel would investigate the intelligence leak of the probe on former national security adviser Michael Flynn's ties to Russia. Nunes, however, said the leak involving Michael Flynn was a crime and that the panel was probing whether other names were leaked. "The one crime we know that's been committed is that one: the leaking of someone's name ...," Representative Devin Nunes, chairman of the House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, told Fox News Sunday. Trump fired Flynn from the post of his former national security adviser last month after he failed to disclose that he met Russia's ambassador before Trump took charge on January 20. The Congressional panel chief's remarks come a day before FBI director James Comey is due to appear before the panel, facing lawmakers seeking answers about Trump's potential Russia ties and the president's accusation of wiretapping by his predecessor Barack Obama. Nunes, House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan and other leading Republicans have said no such wiretap took place. Nunes repeated on Fox News that he did not believe any such wiretapping took place. The Russian government has rejected an accusation by US intelligence agencies that it worked to influence the election in Trump's favor. (WION with inputs from AFP, Reuters)

No evidence of collusion between Trump campaign, Russia: Intelligence Committee chief

US President Donald Trump continues to come under fire for his links with Russia.&nbsp;

His attorney general Jeff Sessions is currently under pressure to resign after it came to light that he met with the Russian ambassador before the election. At his Senate confirmation hearings, Sessions said he had had no contact with the Russians.&nbsp;

Trump&#39;s first-choice National Security Adviser Michael T Flynn has already had to resign. Flynn lasted only 24 days in the job after it was reported that he met with the Russian ambassador.&nbsp;

Flynn had telephoned the ambassador after sanctions were imposed on Russia by the Obama administration, telling him that his country should not retaliate against the sanctions. And that they would be revoked under the Trump administration.

It has now come to light that Trump&#39;s son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner was also part of that meeting. &nbsp;

US President Donald Trump&#39;s son-in-law Jared Kushner and his former national security advisor Michael T Flynn together met the Russian ambassador in December to &quot;establish a line of communication&quot; between the new administration and the Russian government, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/02/us/politics/kushner-flynn-sessions-russia.html?_r=0">The New York Times </a>quoted the White House as saying on Thursday.

Jared Kushner had met Russian ambassador Sergey I Kislyak at the Trump Tower in December, <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/03/06/trump-putin-and-the-new-cold-war">The New Yorker </a>reported this week.&nbsp;

Asked about the meeting by a New York Times reporter, a White House spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, confirmed on Thursday that Michael Flynn was also present at the meeting which lasted for 20 minutes at the Trump Tower.

&ldquo;They generally discussed the relationship and it made sense to establish a line of communication,&rdquo; Hicks said. &ldquo;Jared has had meetings with many other foreign countries and representatives &mdash; as many as two dozen other foreign countries&rsquo; leaders and representatives.&rdquo;

The meeting in December came at a crucial time when then President Barack Obama was preparing to sanction Russia and publicly make the case that Moscow had interfered with the 2016 election, the New York Times report said.

It added that the incoming Trump administration was simultaneously striking a conciliatory pose toward Moscow in a series of meetings and phone calls involving the Russian ambassador.

Flynn was fired from the post of national security advisor by Trump for misleading officials about the nature of his telecommunications with Russian diplomats.

In January, when questioned about Flynn&rsquo;s contacts with Kislyak, the White House said that there had been only a text message and a phone call between the men at the end of December and the communications happened before the US sanctions. This was quickly contradicted by news reports.&nbsp;

Flynn later changed his story, and the White House acknowledged the two men had discussed the sanctions and ways of resolving the hostilities between the two countries -- which reached a new high after news of Russia meddling in the US elections -- once Trump was in office.

Flynn&#39;s to fully disclose the nature of the calls with Kislyak ultimately cost him his job and he was asked to resign by Trump.

The contacts raise questions about the White House&#39;s statements that it knew of no further contacts with Russian officials beyond those by Flynn.

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions is also in the centre of a storm after the Washington Post reported on Wednesday that he met with the Russian ambassador in July and September just as accusations of Russian interference in the election were mounting.&nbsp;

The revelations have cast a cloud over President Donald Trump&#39;s administration -- which has repeatedly denied any suspected ties between members of his election team and Russia -- which US intelligence says interfered in the 2016 campaign against Hillary Clinton. 
 
(WION)

He met the ambassador at Trump Tower along with the former NSA Michael T Flynn

US President Donald Trump continues to come under fire for his links with Russia. His attorney general Jeff Sessions is currently under pressure to resign after it came to light that he met with the Russian ambassador before the election. At his Senate confirmation hearings, Sessions said he had had no contact with the Russians. Trump's first-choice National Security Adviser Michael T Flynn has already had to resign. Flynn lasted only 24 days in the job after it was reported that he met with the Russian ambassador. Flynn had telephoned the ambassador after sanctions were imposed on Russia by the Obama administration, telling him that his country should not retaliate against the sanctions. And that they would be revoked under the Trump administration. It has now come to light that Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner was also part of that meeting. US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and his former national security advisor Michael T Flynn together met the Russian ambassador in December to "establish a line of communication" between the new administration and the Russian government, The New York Times quoted the White House as saying on Thursday. Jared Kushner had met Russian ambassador Sergey I Kislyak at the Trump Tower in December, The New Yorker reported this week. Asked about the meeting by a New York Times reporter, a White House spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, confirmed on Thursday that Michael Flynn was also present at the meeting which lasted for 20 minutes at the Trump Tower. “They generally discussed the relationship and it made sense to establish a line of communication,” Hicks said. “Jared has had meetings with many other foreign countries and representatives — as many as two dozen other foreign countries’ leaders and representatives.” The meeting in December came at a crucial time when then President Barack Obama was preparing to sanction Russia and publicly make the case that Moscow had interfered with the 2016 election, the New York Times report said. It added that the incoming Trump administration was simultaneously striking a conciliatory pose toward Moscow in a series of meetings and phone calls involving the Russian ambassador. Flynn was fired from the post of national security advisor by Trump for misleading officials about the nature of his telecommunications with Russian diplomats. In January, when questioned about Flynn’s contacts with Kislyak, the White House said that there had been only a text message and a phone call between the men at the end of December and the communications happened before the US sanctions. This was quickly contradicted by news reports. Flynn later changed his story, and the White House acknowledged the two men had discussed the sanctions and ways of resolving the hostilities between the two countries -- which reached a new high after news of Russia meddling in the US elections -- once Trump was in office. Flynn's to fully disclose the nature of the calls with Kislyak ultimately cost him his job and he was asked to resign by Trump. The contacts raise questions about the White House's statements that it knew of no further contacts with Russian officials beyond those by Flynn. US Attorney General Jeff Sessions is also in the centre of a storm after the Washington Post reported on Wednesday that he met with the Russian ambassador in July and September just as accusations of Russian interference in the election were mounting. The revelations have cast a cloud over President Donald Trump's administration -- which has repeatedly denied any suspected ties between members of his election team and Russia -- which US intelligence says interfered in the 2016 campaign against Hillary Clinton. (WION)

Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner also met with Russian ambassador: Report

US President Donald Trump on Monday appointed lieutenant general Herbert Raymond McMaster as his new national security adviser, once again turning to the US military to play a central role on his foreign policy team.

&quot;He is highly respected by everybody in the military and we&#39;re very honoured to have him,&quot; Trump said, Reuters reported.

Trump also picked Keith Kellogg, a retired US Army general, who&nbsp;was till now serving as the acting national security adviser, as chief of staff to the National Security Council.

Calling Kellogg a &ldquo;terrific man&rdquo; Trump said that McMaster and Kellogg are a &quot;very, very special&quot; combination.

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<h5>Trump spent the weekend considering his options for replacing Flynn&nbsp;after his first choice,&nbsp;retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward, turned down the job last week</h5>
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McMaster is known to be a highly regarded military tactician and strategic thinker.

But Trump&rsquo;s pick has come as a surprise to some who wondered how McMaster, who is known for questioning authority, would deal with a White House that has not been open to criticism so far.

McMaster replaced Michael Flynn who was fired as national security adviser on February 13 after reports surfaced that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence about speaking to Russia&#39;s ambassador about US sanctions before Trump&#39;s inauguration.

The early ouster came as&nbsp;a setback for a White House that has been hit by miscues, including the controversial rollout of the travel ban.

Trump spent the weekend considering his options for replacing Flynn&nbsp;after his first choice,&nbsp;retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward, turned down the job last week.

54-year-old McMaster&nbsp;is a West Point graduate with a PhD in US history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He was in&nbsp;Time magazine&#39;s list of 100 most influential people in 2014, partly because of his willingness to buck the system.

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

&nbsp;

He replaces Michael Flynn who was fired just 24 days into the job

US President Donald Trump on Monday appointed lieutenant general Herbert Raymond McMaster as his new national security adviser, once again turning to the US military to play a central role on his foreign policy team. "He is highly respected by everybody in the military and we're very honoured to have him," Trump said, Reuters reported. Trump also picked Keith Kellogg, a retired US Army general, who was till now serving as the acting national security adviser, as chief of staff to the National Security Council. Calling Kellogg a “terrific man” Trump said that McMaster and Kellogg are a "very, very special" combination. Trump spent the weekend considering his options for replacing Flynn after his first choice, retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward, turned down the job last week × McMaster is known to be a highly regarded military tactician and strategic thinker. But Trump’s pick has come as a surprise to some who wondered how McMaster, who is known for questioning authority, would deal with a White House that has not been open to criticism so far. McMaster replaced Michael Flynn who was fired as national security adviser on February 13 after reports surfaced that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence about speaking to Russia's ambassador about US sanctions before Trump's inauguration. The early ouster came as a setback for a White House that has been hit by miscues, including the controversial rollout of the travel ban. Trump spent the weekend considering his options for replacing Flynn after his first choice, retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward, turned down the job last week. 54-year-old McMaster is a West Point graduate with a PhD in US history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was in Time magazine's list of 100 most influential people in 2014, partly because of his willingness to buck the system. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Trump names HR McMaster as new national security adviser

US President Donald Trump&#39;s pick for the position of National Security Adviser, Retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward, has&nbsp;refused the offer, according to a report in the Financial Times.

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President Donald Trump&#39;s choice for national security adviser, retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward, has turned down the offer, a senior White House official said on Thursday. (WION)
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The report said that Harward was concerned whether Trump&#39;s advisers will let him install his own team at the National Security Council. Robert Harward served as deputy commander of the US Central Command under the current secretary of defence, James Mattis. &nbsp;

Harward was offered the job after Michael Flynn was fired as the National Security Adviser by Trump after he misled the Vice-President, Mike Pence, about his conversation with the Russian envoy to the US.

Following a more than 30-year military career, Harward became chief executive of defense giant Lockheed Martin&#39;s United Arab Emirates division.

After spending more than 30 years in the military, Howard became Lockheed Martin&#39;s United Arab Emirates&#39; chief executive.

<a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2017/02/16/politics/harward-says-no-to-national-security-adviser-role/index.html?sr=twCNN021717harward-says-no-to-national-security-adviser-role0101AMStoryLink&amp;linkId=34594085" target="_blank">CNN </a>reported that a friend of Harward claimed that the retired vice admiral&nbsp;was reluctant to accept&nbsp;the offer because the White House &quot;seemed so chaotic&quot;, and that he called Trump&#39;s offer a &quot;shit sandwich&quot;.

But Republican senator&nbsp;James Lankford&nbsp;rejected the suggestion that supposed White House chaos caused Harward to reject the offer, calling it &quot;hearsay&quot;.&nbsp;

(WION)

The report said that Harward was concerned whether Trump's advisers will let him install his own team at the National Security Council

US President Donald Trump's pick for the position of National Security Adviser, Retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward, has refused the offer, according to a report in the Financial Times. President Donald Trump's choice for national security adviser, retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward, has turned down the offer, a senior White House official said on Thursday. (WION) × The report said that Harward was concerned whether Trump's advisers will let him install his own team at the National Security Council. Robert Harward served as deputy commander of the US Central Command under the current secretary of defence, James Mattis. Harward was offered the job after Michael Flynn was fired as the National Security Adviser by Trump after he misled the Vice-President, Mike Pence, about his conversation with the Russian envoy to the US. Following a more than 30-year military career, Harward became chief executive of defense giant Lockheed Martin's United Arab Emirates division. After spending more than 30 years in the military, Howard became Lockheed Martin's United Arab Emirates' chief executive. CNN reported that a friend of Harward claimed that the retired vice admiral was reluctant to accept the offer because the White House "seemed so chaotic", and that he called Trump's offer a "shit sandwich". But Republican senator James Lankford rejected the suggestion that supposed White House chaos caused Harward to reject the offer, calling it "hearsay". (WION)

Trump's pick for National Security Adviser refuses offer: Financial Times

Addressing a press conference discussing issues that have plagued the first few weeks of his presidency, Trump tried to defend his administration from recent controversies about links with Russian intelligence.

Calling the reports of alleged links between his aides and Russia a &#39;ruse&#39; and a &#39;scam&#39; perpetrated by media, Trump sought to distance his campaign last year from any Russian help.

&quot;The leaks are absolutely real. The news is fake,&quot; Trump told a news conference about reports that his campaign team was in contact with the Russian intelligence.

Trump also denied that he ordered Michael Flynn to have a conversation with Moscow&#39;s envoy to the US about the Russian sanctions.

Michael Flynn, a close aide of President Trump, was fired by him as the US National Security Adviser for misleading Vice-President Mike Pence about his conversation with the Russian envoy to the US on Russian sanction, before Trump&#39;s inauguration on January 20.

But, in the same breath, he tried to defend Flynn by saying there was nothing wrong if he was calling up other countries and talking to them as it was his job.

&quot;What he did wasn`t wrong,&quot; Trump said.&nbsp;

&quot;Mike was doing his job. He was calling countries and his counterparts. So, it certainly would have been OK with me if he did it. ... I didn`t direct him, but I would have directed him because that`s his job,&quot; he added.

Trump said that he has&nbsp;asked the Justice Department to look into the leaks of &quot;classified information that was given illegally&quot; to journalists regarding the relationship between his aides and Russia.&nbsp;

Obama had imposed fresh sanctions on Russia on December 29 after US intelligence reports that Russia had interfered with the election process.

Speaking at the press conference, Trump also said that he &quot;inherited a mess&quot;.

&quot;To be honest, I inherited a mess. It&#39;s a mess. At home and abroad. A mess. Low pay, low wages. Mass instability overseas no matter where you look. The Middle East a disaster. North Korea. We`ll take care of it, folks. We&#39;re going to take care of it all,&quot; he said.

He also intoduced Alexander Acosta, a former federal prosecutor from Florida, as his nominee to lead the Department of Labour.

His first nominee, Andrew Puzder, withdrew under pressure over his business record.

(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Trump also denied that he ordered Flynn to have a conversation with Moscow's envoy to the US

Addressing a press conference discussing issues that have plagued the first few weeks of his presidency, Trump tried to defend his administration from recent controversies about links with Russian intelligence. Calling the reports of alleged links between his aides and Russia a 'ruse' and a 'scam' perpetrated by media, Trump sought to distance his campaign last year from any Russian help. "The leaks are absolutely real. The news is fake," Trump told a news conference about reports that his campaign team was in contact with the Russian intelligence. Trump also denied that he ordered Michael Flynn to have a conversation with Moscow's envoy to the US about the Russian sanctions. Michael Flynn, a close aide of President Trump, was fired by him as the US National Security Adviser for misleading Vice-President Mike Pence about his conversation with the Russian envoy to the US on Russian sanction, before Trump's inauguration on January 20. But, in the same breath, he tried to defend Flynn by saying there was nothing wrong if he was calling up other countries and talking to them as it was his job. "What he did wasn`t wrong," Trump said. "Mike was doing his job. He was calling countries and his counterparts. So, it certainly would have been OK with me if he did it. ... I didn`t direct him, but I would have directed him because that`s his job," he added. Trump said that he has asked the Justice Department to look into the leaks of "classified information that was given illegally" to journalists regarding the relationship between his aides and Russia. Obama had imposed fresh sanctions on Russia on December 29 after US intelligence reports that Russia had interfered with the election process. Speaking at the press conference, Trump also said that he "inherited a mess". "To be honest, I inherited a mess. It's a mess. At home and abroad. A mess. Low pay, low wages. Mass instability overseas no matter where you look. The Middle East a disaster. North Korea. We`ll take care of it, folks. We're going to take care of it all," he said. He also intoduced Alexander Acosta, a former federal prosecutor from Florida, as his nominee to lead the Department of Labour. His first nominee, Andrew Puzder, withdrew under pressure over his business record. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Trump defends his administration on reports of links with Russia

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump knew for weeks that national security adviser Michael Flynn had misled the White House about his contacts with Russia but did not immediately force him out, an administration spokesman said on Tuesday.

Trump was informed in late January that Flynn had not told vice president Mike Pence the whole truth about conversations he had before Trump took office with Russia&#39;s ambassador to the United States, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said.

Pence learnt of the &quot;incomplete information&quot; that he received from Flynn when news reports surfaced late last week, spokesman Mark Lotter said on Tuesday.

Flynn quit on Monday after Trump asked for his resignation, and the president hopes to pick a new national security adviser by the end of the week, Spicer said.

The departure was another disruption for an administration already repeatedly distracted by miscues and internal dramas since the Republican businessman assumed the presidency on Jan&nbsp;20.

US&nbsp;lawmakers, including some leading Republicans, called for a deeper inquiry into not just Flynn&#39;s actions but broader White House ties to Russia. Trump has long said that he would like improved relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, said Trump only moved against Flynn because of news media attention, not concern about any wrongdoing.

&quot;The reason they lost faith or trust in General Flynn only last night when they knew for weeks that he had been lying was that it became public,&quot; Schiff told MSNBC.

A timeline of events outlined by Spicer and a US&nbsp;official showed that Trump had known for weeks about Flynn misleading the vice president.

Trump, a former reality TV star whose catchphrase was &quot;You&#39;re fired!&quot; has often boasted of his eagerness to get rid of subordinates. He was not quick to fire Flynn, a strong advocate of better relations with Russia and a hard line against Islamist militants.

The Justice Department warned the White House in late January that Flynn had misled Pence by denying to him that he had discussed US&nbsp;sanctions on Russia with Ambassador Sergei Kislyak, a potentially illegal act, a US&nbsp;official said.

Flynn did talk about sanctions with the diplomat, whose calls were recorded by US&nbsp;intelligence officials, the official said. But Pence went on television in mid-January and denied that Flynn had discussed sanctions.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation interviewed Flynn in his early days as Trump&#39;s national security adviser regarding his conversations with the Russian ambassador, a White House official confirmed.

Spicer stressed that the administration believed there was no legal problem with Flynn&#39;s conversations with Kislyak, but rather an issue over the president&#39;s trust in his adviser.

The turning point, Spicer said, was a Washington Post story published on Thursday in which Flynn, through a spokesman, said for the first time he could not say with 100 percent certainty that he had not discussed sanctions with Kislyak.

Spicer said the Justice Department sought to notify the White House counsel on Jan&nbsp;26 about the discrepancies in Flynn&#39;s accounts.

&quot;The White House counsel informed the president immediately. The president asked them to commit a review of whether there was a legal situation there,&quot; Spicer told reporters, saying it was a &quot;trust issue.&quot;

Flynn&#39;s conversations with the ambassador took place around the time that then-President Barack Obama imposed sanctions on Russia, charging that Moscow had used cyber attacks to try to influence the 2016 presidential election in Trump&#39;s favour.

A US&nbsp;official familiar with the transcripts of the calls with the ambassador said Flynn indicated that if Russia did not retaliate in kind for Obama&#39;s Dec&nbsp;29 order expelling 35 Russian suspected spies and sanctioning Russian spy agencies, that could smooth the way towards a broader discussion of improving US-Russian relations once Trump took power.

(Reuters)

Trump was informed in late January about Flynn's phone call issues, but did not immediately force him out, an administration spokesman said

US President Donald Trump knew for weeks that national security adviser Michael Flynn had misled the White House about his contacts with Russia but did not immediately force him out, an administration spokesman said on Tuesday. Trump was informed in late January that Flynn had not told vice president Mike Pence the whole truth about conversations he had before Trump took office with Russia's ambassador to the United States, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said. Pence learnt of the "incomplete information" that he received from Flynn when news reports surfaced late last week, spokesman Mark Lotter said on Tuesday. Flynn quit on Monday after Trump asked for his resignation, and the president hopes to pick a new national security adviser by the end of the week, Spicer said. The departure was another disruption for an administration already repeatedly distracted by miscues and internal dramas since the Republican businessman assumed the presidency on Jan 20. US lawmakers, including some leading Republicans, called for a deeper inquiry into not just Flynn's actions but broader White House ties to Russia. Trump has long said that he would like improved relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, said Trump only moved against Flynn because of news media attention, not concern about any wrongdoing. "The reason they lost faith or trust in General Flynn only last night when they knew for weeks that he had been lying was that it became public," Schiff told MSNBC. A timeline of events outlined by Spicer and a US official showed that Trump had known for weeks about Flynn misleading the vice president. Trump, a former reality TV star whose catchphrase was "You're fired!" has often boasted of his eagerness to get rid of subordinates. He was not quick to fire Flynn, a strong advocate of better relations with Russia and a hard line against Islamist militants. The Justice Department warned the White House in late January that Flynn had misled Pence by denying to him that he had discussed US sanctions on Russia with Ambassador Sergei Kislyak, a potentially illegal act, a US official said. Flynn did talk about sanctions with the diplomat, whose calls were recorded by US intelligence officials, the official said. But Pence went on television in mid-January and denied that Flynn had discussed sanctions. The Federal Bureau of Investigation interviewed Flynn in his early days as Trump's national security adviser regarding his conversations with the Russian ambassador, a White House official confirmed. Spicer stressed that the administration believed there was no legal problem with Flynn's conversations with Kislyak, but rather an issue over the president's trust in his adviser. The turning point, Spicer said, was a Washington Post story published on Thursday in which Flynn, through a spokesman, said for the first time he could not say with 100 percent certainty that he had not discussed sanctions with Kislyak. Spicer said the Justice Department sought to notify the White House counsel on Jan 26 about the discrepancies in Flynn's accounts. "The White House counsel informed the president immediately. The president asked them to commit a review of whether there was a legal situation there," Spicer told reporters, saying it was a "trust issue." Flynn's conversations with the ambassador took place around the time that then-President Barack Obama imposed sanctions on Russia, charging that Moscow had used cyber attacks to try to influence the 2016 presidential election in Trump's favour. A US official familiar with the transcripts of the calls with the ambassador said Flynn indicated that if Russia did not retaliate in kind for Obama's Dec 29 order expelling 35 Russian suspected spies and sanctioning Russian spy agencies, that could smooth the way towards a broader discussion of improving US-Russian relations once Trump took power. (Reuters)

Trump knew for weeks Flynn was being misleading over Russia: White House

President Donald Trump&#39;s national security adviser, Michael Flynn, resigned late on Monday after coming under fire over whether he discussed the possibility of lifting US&nbsp;sanctions on Russia before Trump took office.

Retired General Keith Kellogg, who has been chief of staff of the White House National Security Council, was named the acting national security adviser while Trump determines who should fill the position.

Kellogg, retired General David Petraeus, a former CIA director, and Robert Harward, a former deputy commander of US&nbsp;Central Command, are under consideration for the position, a White House official said.

Flynn submitted his resignation hours after Trump said through a spokesman that he was reviewing the situation and talking to vice president Mike Pence.

Flynn had promised Pence he had not discussed US&nbsp;sanctions with the Russians, but transcripts of intercepted communications, described by US&nbsp;officials, showed that the subject had come up in conversations between him and the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey&nbsp;Kislyak.

Such contacts could potentially be in violation of a law banning private citizens from engaging in foreign policy, known as the Logan Act.

Flynn&#39;s departure was the most dramatic moment yet of Trump&#39;s young presidency, a 24-day period during which his White House has been repeatedly distracted by miscues and internal dramas.

&quot;Unfortunately, because of the fast pace of events, I inadvertently briefed the vice president-elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian ambassador. I have sincerely apologised to the president and the vice president, and they have accepted my apology,&quot; Flynn said in his resignation letter.

Flynn&#39;s resignation came after it was reported that the Justice Department warned the White House weeks ago that Flynn could be vulnerable to blackmail for contacts with Russian officials before Trump took power on Jan&nbsp;20.

A US&nbsp;official confirmed a Washington Post report that Sally Yates, the then-acting US&nbsp;attorney general, told the White House late last month that she believed Flynn had misled them about the nature of his communications with the Russian ambassador to the United States.

She said Flynn might have put himself in a compromising position, possibly leaving himself vulnerable to blackmail, the official said. Yates was later fired for opposing Trump&#39;s temporary entry ban for people from seven mostly Muslim nations.

A US&nbsp;official, describing the intercepted communications, said Flynn did not make any promises about lifting the sanctions.

But he did indicate that sanctions imposed by President Barack Obama on Russia for its Ukraine incursion &quot;would not necessarily carry over to an administration seeking to improve relations between the US&nbsp;and Russia,&quot; the official said.

Flynn, a retired US&nbsp;Army lieutenant general, was an early supporter of Trump and shares his interest in shaking up the establishment in Washington. He frequently raised eyebrows among Washington&#39;s foreign policy establishment for trying to persuade Trump to warm up US&nbsp;relations with Russia.

A US&nbsp;official said Flynn&#39;s departure, coupled with Russia&#39;s aggression in Ukraine and Syria and Republican congressional opposition to removing sanctions on Russia, removes Trump&#39;s most ardent advocate of taking a softer line toward Russian President Vladimir Putin.

His leaving &quot;may make a significant course change less likely, at least anytime soon,&quot; the official said.

Another official said Flynn&#39;s departure may strengthen the hands of some cabinet secretaries, including Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

However, the second official said, Flynn&#39;s departure could also reinforce the power of presidential aides Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller, whom he described as already having the president&#39;s ear.

Congressional Democrats expressed alarm at the developments surrounding Flynn and called for a classified briefing by administration officials to explain what had happened.

&quot;We are communicating this request to the Department of Justice and FBI this evening,&quot; said Democratic representatives John Conyers of Michigan and Elijah Cummings of Maryland.

US&nbsp;Representative Adam Schiff of California, ranking Democrat on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said Flynn&#39;s departure does not end the questions over his contacts with the Russians.

&quot;The Trump administration has yet to be forthcoming about who was aware of Flynn&#39;s conversations with the ambassador and whether he was acting on the instructions of the president or any other officials, or with their knowledge.&quot;

(Reuters)

The resignation came over fears he was vulnerable to blackmail by Russia

President Donald Trump's national security adviser, Michael Flynn, resigned late on Monday after coming under fire over whether he discussed the possibility of lifting US sanctions on Russia before Trump took office. Retired General Keith Kellogg, who has been chief of staff of the White House National Security Council, was named the acting national security adviser while Trump determines who should fill the position. Kellogg, retired General David Petraeus, a former CIA director, and Robert Harward, a former deputy commander of US Central Command, are under consideration for the position, a White House official said. Flynn submitted his resignation hours after Trump said through a spokesman that he was reviewing the situation and talking to vice president Mike Pence. Flynn had promised Pence he had not discussed US sanctions with the Russians, but transcripts of intercepted communications, described by US officials, showed that the subject had come up in conversations between him and the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak. Such contacts could potentially be in violation of a law banning private citizens from engaging in foreign policy, known as the Logan Act. Flynn's departure was the most dramatic moment yet of Trump's young presidency, a 24-day period during which his White House has been repeatedly distracted by miscues and internal dramas. "Unfortunately, because of the fast pace of events, I inadvertently briefed the vice president-elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian ambassador. I have sincerely apologised to the president and the vice president, and they have accepted my apology," Flynn said in his resignation letter. Flynn's resignation came after it was reported that the Justice Department warned the White House weeks ago that Flynn could be vulnerable to blackmail for contacts with Russian officials before Trump took power on Jan 20. A US official confirmed a Washington Post report that Sally Yates, the then-acting US attorney general, told the White House late last month that she believed Flynn had misled them about the nature of his communications with the Russian ambassador to the United States. She said Flynn might have put himself in a compromising position, possibly leaving himself vulnerable to blackmail, the official said. Yates was later fired for opposing Trump's temporary entry ban for people from seven mostly Muslim nations. A US official, describing the intercepted communications, said Flynn did not make any promises about lifting the sanctions. But he did indicate that sanctions imposed by President Barack Obama on Russia for its Ukraine incursion "would not necessarily carry over to an administration seeking to improve relations between the US and Russia," the official said. Flynn, a retired US Army lieutenant general, was an early supporter of Trump and shares his interest in shaking up the establishment in Washington. He frequently raised eyebrows among Washington's foreign policy establishment for trying to persuade Trump to warm up US relations with Russia. A US official said Flynn's departure, coupled with Russia's aggression in Ukraine and Syria and Republican congressional opposition to removing sanctions on Russia, removes Trump's most ardent advocate of taking a softer line toward Russian President Vladimir Putin. His leaving "may make a significant course change less likely, at least anytime soon," the official said. Another official said Flynn's departure may strengthen the hands of some cabinet secretaries, including Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. However, the second official said, Flynn's departure could also reinforce the power of presidential aides Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller, whom he described as already having the president's ear. Congressional Democrats expressed alarm at the developments surrounding Flynn and called for a classified briefing by administration officials to explain what had happened. "We are communicating this request to the Department of Justice and FBI this evening," said Democratic representatives John Conyers of Michigan and Elijah Cummings of Maryland. US Representative Adam Schiff of California, ranking Democrat on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said Flynn's departure does not end the questions over his contacts with the Russians. "The Trump administration has yet to be forthcoming about who was aware of Flynn's conversations with the ambassador and whether he was acting on the instructions of the president or any other officials, or with their knowledge." (Reuters)

Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn resigns

The Justice Department warned the White House weeks ago that national security adviser Michael Flynn could be vulnerable to blackmail for contacts with Russian officials before President Donald Trump took power, a US&nbsp;official said on Monday.

Trump is evaluating the situation surrounding Flynn and talking to vice president Mike Pence about it, Trump&#39;s spokesman said, in a pointed refusal to make a public show of support for his embattled aide.

The US&nbsp;official confirmed a Washington Post report that Sally Yates, the then-acting US&nbsp;attorney general, told the White House late last month that she believed Flynn had misled them about the nature of his communications with the Russian ambassador to the United States.

She said Flynn might have put himself into a compromising position, possibly leaving himself vulnerable to blackmail, the official said. Yates was later fired for opposing Trump&#39;s temporary entry ban for people from seven mostly Muslim nations.

Flynn had told Pence he had not discussed US&nbsp;sanctions against Russia with Russian officials in the weeks before Trump took office on Jan&nbsp;20, prompting Pence to defend him in subsequent television interviews.

In recent days, Flynn has acknowledged he might have discussed sanctions with the Russians but could not remember with 100 per cent certainty, which officials said had upset Pence, who felt he had been misled.

Officials said Flynn apologised to Pence twice, including in person on Friday.

&quot;The president is evaluating the situation. He is speaking to ... Vice President Pence relative to the conversation the vice president had with General Flynn and also speaking to various other people about what he considers the single most important subject there is, our national security,&quot; White House spokesman Sean Spicer said.

Early Trump supporter

Flynn, a retired US&nbsp;Army lieutenant general, was an early supporter of Trump and shares his interest in shaking up the establishment in Washington. He has frequently raised eyebrows among Washington&#39;s foreign policy establishment for trying to persuade Trump to warm up US&nbsp;relations with Russia.

Top White House officials have been reviewing Flynn&#39;s contacts with the Russians and whether he discussed the possibility of lifting US&nbsp;sanctions on Russia once Trump took office.

That would potentially be in violation of a law banning private citizens from engaging in foreign policy, known as the Logan Act.

&ldquo;He&rsquo;s not out of the woods,&rdquo; said a US&nbsp;official who is familiar with the transcripts of intercepted communications between Flynn and the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak, in late December.

This official said Flynn &quot;did discuss sanctions.&quot;

While Flynn did not make any promises about lifting them, he did indicate that sanctions imposed by President Barack Obama on Russia for its Ukraine incursion &quot;would not necessarily carry over to an administration seeking to improve relations between the US&nbsp;and Russia,&quot; the official said.

An hour before Spicer read his statement, Kellyanne Conway, one of Trump&#39;s closest aides, had told reporters that Flynn had the full confidence of the president.

It was notable, however, that Trump did not use the opportunity of a joint news conference with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday to make a public show of support for Flynn.

Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer told reporters he wanted an independent investigation of Flynn&rsquo;s discussions with the Russians.

&ldquo;His security clearance ought to be withdrawn until that independent investigation is completed. And if he has violated any law or ethical precept, he ought to be fired,&quot; Schumer said.

Flynn was going about his business despite the cloud hanging over him, participating in national security meetings.

He was at Trump&#39;s side at the president&#39;s Mar-a-Lago retreat in Florida on Saturday when word reached the presidential entourage that North Korea had launched a ballistic missile at the same time Trump was hosting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

While Trump left Flynn&#39;s status pending, he appeared to close the door on another source of speculation, as to whether Priebus might be replaced.

Appearing briefly before reporters in the West Wing of the White House, Trump said Priebus was doing a &quot;great job.&quot;

(Reuters)

Trump is evaluating the situation surrounding the national security adviser and talking to vice president Mike Pence about it

The Justice Department warned the White House weeks ago that national security adviser Michael Flynn could be vulnerable to blackmail for contacts with Russian officials before President Donald Trump took power, a US official said on Monday. Trump is evaluating the situation surrounding Flynn and talking to vice president Mike Pence about it, Trump's spokesman said, in a pointed refusal to make a public show of support for his embattled aide. The US official confirmed a Washington Post report that Sally Yates, the then-acting US attorney general, told the White House late last month that she believed Flynn had misled them about the nature of his communications with the Russian ambassador to the United States. She said Flynn might have put himself into a compromising position, possibly leaving himself vulnerable to blackmail, the official said. Yates was later fired for opposing Trump's temporary entry ban for people from seven mostly Muslim nations. Flynn had told Pence he had not discussed US sanctions against Russia with Russian officials in the weeks before Trump took office on Jan 20, prompting Pence to defend him in subsequent television interviews. In recent days, Flynn has acknowledged he might have discussed sanctions with the Russians but could not remember with 100 per cent certainty, which officials said had upset Pence, who felt he had been misled. Officials said Flynn apologised to Pence twice, including in person on Friday. "The president is evaluating the situation. He is speaking to ... Vice President Pence relative to the conversation the vice president had with General Flynn and also speaking to various other people about what he considers the single most important subject there is, our national security," White House spokesman Sean Spicer said. Early Trump supporter Flynn, a retired US Army lieutenant general, was an early supporter of Trump and shares his interest in shaking up the establishment in Washington. He has frequently raised eyebrows among Washington's foreign policy establishment for trying to persuade Trump to warm up US relations with Russia. Top White House officials have been reviewing Flynn's contacts with the Russians and whether he discussed the possibility of lifting US sanctions on Russia once Trump took office. That would potentially be in violation of a law banning private citizens from engaging in foreign policy, known as the Logan Act. “He’s not out of the woods,” said a US official who is familiar with the transcripts of intercepted communications between Flynn and the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak, in late December. This official said Flynn "did discuss sanctions." While Flynn did not make any promises about lifting them, he did indicate that sanctions imposed by President Barack Obama on Russia for its Ukraine incursion "would not necessarily carry over to an administration seeking to improve relations between the US and Russia," the official said. An hour before Spicer read his statement, Kellyanne Conway, one of Trump's closest aides, had told reporters that Flynn had the full confidence of the president. It was notable, however, that Trump did not use the opportunity of a joint news conference with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday to make a public show of support for Flynn. Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer told reporters he wanted an independent investigation of Flynn’s discussions with the Russians. “His security clearance ought to be withdrawn until that independent investigation is completed. And if he has violated any law or ethical precept, he ought to be fired," Schumer said. Flynn was going about his business despite the cloud hanging over him, participating in national security meetings. He was at Trump's side at the president's Mar-a-Lago retreat in Florida on Saturday when word reached the presidential entourage that North Korea had launched a ballistic missile at the same time Trump was hosting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. While Trump left Flynn's status pending, he appeared to close the door on another source of speculation, as to whether Priebus might be replaced. Appearing briefly before reporters in the West Wing of the White House, Trump said Priebus was doing a "great job." (Reuters)

Justice dept warned Trump weeks ago Flynn could be vulnerable to blackmail

US President Donald Trump&#39;s new national security adviser, Michael Flynn&nbsp;has come under the scanner of US counterintelligence agents for communication links with Russian officials, the <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-eyes-michael-flynns-links-to-russia-1485134942">Wall Street Journal</a>&nbsp;reported Sunday.&nbsp;

It was unclear what the findings were and if the&nbsp;investigation was still under way, the WSJ reported.&nbsp;

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<h5>Flynn&#39;s acceptance of payment from Russian news agency RT to attend a gala event in Moscow raised eyebrows last years. He was seated next to Russian President Vladimir Putin</h5>
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Reports also claim that Flynn spoke to Russia&#39;s ambassador to Washington, Sergey Kislyak, several times the day before former president Barack Obama announced strict measures over Russia&#39;s alleged cyber attacks, interfering in the November 8 election. &nbsp;

Flynn&#39;s acceptance of payment from Russian news agency RT to attend a gala event in Moscow raised eyebrows last year. He was seated next to Russian President Vladimir Putin. &nbsp;

White House press secretary Sean Spicer defended Flynn, saying he had spoken with Kislyak on Christmas wishing him Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.&nbsp;

The national security adviser is not formally part of the cabinet but is one of the most influential advisers to the President.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

 
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It was unclear what the findings were and if the?investigation was still under way, the Wall Street Journal reported

US President Donald Trump's new national security adviser, Michael Flynn has come under the scanner of US counterintelligence agents for communication links with Russian officials, the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday. It was unclear what the findings were and if the investigation was still under way, the WSJ reported. Flynn's acceptance of payment from Russian news agency RT to attend a gala event in Moscow raised eyebrows last years. He was seated next to Russian President Vladimir Putin × Reports also claim that Flynn spoke to Russia's ambassador to Washington, Sergey Kislyak, several times the day before former president Barack Obama announced strict measures over Russia's alleged cyber attacks, interfering in the November 8 election. Flynn's acceptance of payment from Russian news agency RT to attend a gala event in Moscow raised eyebrows last year. He was seated next to Russian President Vladimir Putin. White House press secretary Sean Spicer defended Flynn, saying he had spoken with Kislyak on Christmas wishing him Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The national security adviser is not formally part of the cabinet but is one of the most influential advisers to the President. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Trump's national security adviser probed for Russia links: WSJ

The son of Donald Trump&#39;s national security advisor, who has pushed wild&nbsp;conspiracy theories on social media,&nbsp;has been dismissed from the president-elect&#39;s transition team, vice president-elect Mike Pence confirmed on Tuesday.

&quot;Mike Flynn Jr&nbsp;is no longer associated with general Flynn&#39;s efforts or with the transition team and we&#39;re focused eyes forward,&quot; Pence told CNN, saying the younger Flynn had been helping his father with scheduling and other administrative work.

Yesterday, Pence&nbsp;denied that&nbsp;Mike Flynn Jr was even on the transition team. When asked point blank if Flynn Jr, who had a transition team email address, was involved in the transition team, Pence said, &quot;NO, no, he&#39;s not...General Flynn&#39;s son has no involvement in the transition&nbsp;whatsoever.&quot;

Watch&nbsp;Pence&#39;s denial:

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Here&#39;s Pence on <a href="https://twitter.com/Morning_Joe">@Morning_Joe</a> saying Flynn&#39;s son has no involvement in transition (he has a transition email address) <a href="https://t.co/SkZ7sKVDvu">https://t.co/SkZ7sKVDvu</a>
&mdash; Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) <a href="https://twitter.com/BraddJaffy/status/806123058633310208">December 6, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The ouster of 33-year-old Michael G&nbsp;Flynn, son of retired lieutenant general Michael Flynn -- who was tapped last month for the powerful national security advisor role -- came after he made controversial and false statements about an armed man&#39;s weekend attack at a popular pizza restaurant in Washington.

Edgar Maddison Welch, 28, said he was investigating online &quot;reports&quot; that Comet Ping Pong was at the centre of a paedophile ring linked to defeated Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

No one was hurt after Welch fired off a round from his AR-15. Police quickly arrested him, discovering two more weapons, and said he had told them he drove up from North Carolina to personally investigate &quot;Pizzagate&quot;.

Still, Michael G&nbsp;Flynn tweeted that &quot;Until #Pizzagate proven to be false, it&#39;ll remain a story.&quot; He also retweeted the comments of others promoting the fake stories about the restaurant.

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Until <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pizzagate?src=hash">#Pizzagate</a> proven to be false, it&#39;ll remain a story. The left seems to forget <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PodestaEmails?src=hash">#PodestaEmails</a> and the many &quot;coincidences&quot; tied to it. <a href="https://t.co/8HA9y30Yfp">https://t.co/8HA9y30Yfp</a>
&mdash; Michael G Flynn???? (@mflynnJR) <a href="https://twitter.com/mflynnJR/status/805611056009768960">December 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The incident raised serious questions about general Flynn himself. He had not commented publicly on the Comet incident, but in early November he tied Clinton to paedophile rings in a tweet of his own.

&quot;U decide - NYPD Blows Whistle on New Hillary Emails: Money Laundering, Sex Crimes w Children, etc...MUST READ!&quot; he wrote ahead of the November 8 election. He also provided a link to a related fake news story.

He has been accused of Islamophobia for writing&nbsp;&quot;Fear of&nbsp;Muslims is RATIONAL&quot;, and responded&nbsp;to a CNN story&nbsp;critically by writing, &quot;Not anymore, Jews&quot;, Politico reports.

Since August 9 general Flynn has spread at least 16 Fake News stories on his twitter, according to <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/michael-flynn-conspiracy-pizzeria-trump-232227">Politico</a>. The conspiracies the general include Clinton being involved with children sex trafficking and&nbsp;that she has waged a secret war against the Catholic Church.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He has used the hashtag #spiritcooking, referring to a conspiracy theory that posits that Clinto&#39;s&nbsp;campaign manager John Podesta drinks bodily fluids in occult rituals, Politico reports.

The &quot;#spiritcooking&quot; developed into &quot;pizzagate&quot; conspiracy theory involving the Comet Ping Pong, which puts forward that the Washington DC establishment --even the Clintons, Obama, media and law enforcement -- is involved with, or is at least covering up, a satanic plot to traffic in, sexually abuse and murder children, Politico reports.

(With inputs from AFP)

The 'pizzagate' conspiracy about US Democrats operating a paedophile ring in a popular Washington pizzeria led an armed man to 'investigate'

The son of Donald Trump's national security advisor, who has pushed wild conspiracy theories on social media, has been dismissed from the president-elect's transition team, vice president-elect Mike Pence confirmed on Tuesday. "Mike Flynn Jr is no longer associated with general Flynn's efforts or with the transition team and we're focused eyes forward," Pence told CNN, saying the younger Flynn had been helping his father with scheduling and other administrative work. Yesterday, Pence denied that Mike Flynn Jr was even on the transition team. When asked point blank if Flynn Jr, who had a transition team email address, was involved in the transition team, Pence said, "NO, no, he's not...General Flynn's son has no involvement in the transition whatsoever." Watch Pence's denial: Here's Pence on @Morning_Joe saying Flynn's son has no involvement in transition (he has a transition email address) https://t.co/SkZ7sKVDvu — Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) December 6, 2016 × The ouster of 33-year-old Michael G Flynn, son of retired lieutenant general Michael Flynn -- who was tapped last month for the powerful national security advisor role -- came after he made controversial and false statements about an armed man's weekend attack at a popular pizza restaurant in Washington. Edgar Maddison Welch, 28, said he was investigating online "reports" that Comet Ping Pong was at the centre of a paedophile ring linked to defeated Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. No one was hurt after Welch fired off a round from his AR-15. Police quickly arrested him, discovering two more weapons, and said he had told them he drove up from North Carolina to personally investigate "Pizzagate". Still, Michael G Flynn tweeted that "Until #Pizzagate proven to be false, it'll remain a story." He also retweeted the comments of others promoting the fake stories about the restaurant. Until #Pizzagate proven to be false, it'll remain a story. The left seems to forget #PodestaEmails and the many "coincidences" tied to it. https://t.co/8HA9y30Yfp — Michael G Flynn???? (@mflynnJR) December 5, 2016 × The incident raised serious questions about general Flynn himself. He had not commented publicly on the Comet incident, but in early November he tied Clinton to paedophile rings in a tweet of his own. "U decide - NYPD Blows Whistle on New Hillary Emails: Money Laundering, Sex Crimes w Children, etc...MUST READ!" he wrote ahead of the November 8 election. He also provided a link to a related fake news story. He has been accused of Islamophobia for writing "Fear of Muslims is RATIONAL", and responded to a CNN story critically by writing, "Not anymore, Jews", Politico reports. Since August 9 general Flynn has spread at least 16 Fake News stories on his twitter, according to Politico. The conspiracies the general include Clinton being involved with children sex trafficking and that she has waged a secret war against the Catholic Church. He has used the hashtag #spiritcooking, referring to a conspiracy theory that posits that Clinto's campaign manager John Podesta drinks bodily fluids in occult rituals, Politico reports. The "#spiritcooking" developed into "pizzagate" conspiracy theory involving the Comet Ping Pong, which puts forward that the Washington DC establishment --even the Clintons, Obama, media and law enforcement -- is involved with, or is at least covering up, a satanic plot to traffic in, sexually abuse and murder children, Politico reports. (With inputs from AFP)

Son of Trump's national security adviser fired after spreading Fake News

On his way to the polls on election day, Michael Flynn pulled out his phone and took a video of himself saying his vote for Donald Trump was part of a larger fight against &quot;the dishonesty and deceit of our government&quot;.

For Flynn, a retired US&nbsp;Army three-star general and one of Trump&#39;s closest advisers, it was another parting shot at an administration he thinks unfairly fired him from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in 2014 for telling hard truths about the war on Islamist extremism.

Named on Thursday to become Trump&#39;s national security adviser, Flynn is now poised for a second act in public life, and he has promised nothing short of an upheaval.

&quot;We just went through a revolution,&quot; Flynn, 57, told a forum on Saturday. &quot;This is probably the biggest election in our nation&#39;s history, since bringing on George Washington when he decided not to be a king. That&#39;s how important this is.&quot;

Flynn&#39;s advocates say his experience battling radical Islamist militants in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with candor that has ruffled feathers in Washington more than once, makes him the kind of ally Trump needs on his national security team.

David Deptula, a retired Air Force lieutenant general who used to work with Flynn, praised his willingness to &quot;speak truth to power and not politicise his answers&quot;.

&quot;Mike Flynn is a straight shooter and a no-bullshit kind of guy. And that&rsquo;s exactly what we need in terms of senior leaders giving advice to the national leadership,&quot; Deptula said.

His critics voice concerns about a management style that alienated some of his subordinates at DIA, a lumbering bureaucracy that Flynn sought to shake up. That&#39;s an explanation some gave for why he was pushed into retirement.

Flynn could not be reached for comment.

Several former US&nbsp;officials who worked closely with Flynn described him as extremely smart but a poor manager who advocated a precipitous overhaul of the DIA that ignited hostility and resistance from veteran intelligence officials.

&quot;Flynn understood that DIA was a mess,&quot; one said.

&quot;But he telegraphed his intent for radical change in a way that he immediately created resistance to his ideas, no matter their merits.&quot;

Two other former officials also said they had concerns about Flynn&#39;s management style, a potential liability in a White House job that requires coordinating US&nbsp;policy and resolving disagreements among senior officials at different agencies.

One of the officials said senior career DIA officials and other agency employees held Flynn responsible for an offensive &quot;Dress for Success&quot; presentation that was distributed to the workforce in January 2013.

It recommended gender-specific fashion guidelines, urged people to &quot;consider your body type&quot; and said makeup made women &quot;more attractive&quot;. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Flynn apologised for the presentation in a subsequent memo that said neither he nor the agency &quot;condone this briefing&quot;.

Policy concerns

Flynn&#39;s policy views suggest he will take a more aggressive approach against Islamist militants.

Former colleagues expect his effort to bolster America&#39;s battle against jihadists to be shaped by his belief that the United States is losing a global war against Islamist extremism that may last for generations.

In a new book Flynn co-authored, he prescribes a harder political line on Iran, including information warfare to expose shortcomings in Iran&#39;s revolution.

Like Trump, Flynn calls the 2003 invasion of Iraq a strategic blunder and says that energy should have been directed instead toward political support for opponents of Iran&#39;s theocratic rulers.

He shares Trump&#39;s vision of warmer relations with Israel but also advocates stronger ties with Egypt, whose autocratic president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, ousted the Muslim Brotherhood and was the first world leader to congratulate Trump on his victory.

Flynn&#39;s appearances on Russia&#39;s government-run broadcaster RT, particularly at a gala last year attended by President Vladimir Putin, have also raised eyebrows in military circles.

However, he has also expressed skepticism about Moscow&#39;s intentions, a view that does not seem to fit Trump&#39;s vision of a new era of detente with the Kremlin.

Although he has more experience battling the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and other militant groups than anyone else in Trump&#39;s inner circle, Flynn&#39;s critics in the intelligence community and the military question whether his ouster from the DIA has changed him.

&quot;The whole experience seems to have made him bitter,&quot; said another former US&nbsp;official who worked with Flynn and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Representative Adam Schiff, the senior Democrat on the House intelligence committee, questioned Flynn&#39;s temperament, saying Trump needs someone more steady and &quot;thorough in their analysis&quot; to temper him.

&quot;I&#39;m not sure that&#39;s what you get with General Flynn. And I would be worried about an impulsive president with an impulsive security adviser,&quot; Schiff told CNN.

Former colleagues are alarmed by his adoption of Trump&#39;s divisive campaign rhetoric - including leading chants of &quot;Lock Her Up!&quot; aimed at Hillary Clinton during the Republican National Convention and saying on Twitter &quot;Fear of Muslims is RATIONAL.&quot;

&quot;I think what you have is frustration that eventually turns to anger after he leaves,&quot; said this former U.S. official. &quot;He was frustrated over DIA; he was frustrated over administration policy toward Syria; and he&#39;s frustrated and angry over his removal from the Department of Defense.&quot;

(Reuters)

This is a second shot for Flynn who thinks he was fired from the DIA in 2014 for telling hard truths about the war on Islamist extremism

On his way to the polls on election day, Michael Flynn pulled out his phone and took a video of himself saying his vote for Donald Trump was part of a larger fight against "the dishonesty and deceit of our government". For Flynn, a retired US Army three-star general and one of Trump's closest advisers, it was another parting shot at an administration he thinks unfairly fired him from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in 2014 for telling hard truths about the war on Islamist extremism. Named on Thursday to become Trump's national security adviser, Flynn is now poised for a second act in public life, and he has promised nothing short of an upheaval. "We just went through a revolution," Flynn, 57, told a forum on Saturday. "This is probably the biggest election in our nation's history, since bringing on George Washington when he decided not to be a king. That's how important this is." Flynn's advocates say his experience battling radical Islamist militants in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with candor that has ruffled feathers in Washington more than once, makes him the kind of ally Trump needs on his national security team. David Deptula, a retired Air Force lieutenant general who used to work with Flynn, praised his willingness to "speak truth to power and not politicise his answers". "Mike Flynn is a straight shooter and a no-bullshit kind of guy. And that’s exactly what we need in terms of senior leaders giving advice to the national leadership," Deptula said. His critics voice concerns about a management style that alienated some of his subordinates at DIA, a lumbering bureaucracy that Flynn sought to shake up. That's an explanation some gave for why he was pushed into retirement. Flynn could not be reached for comment. Several former US officials who worked closely with Flynn described him as extremely smart but a poor manager who advocated a precipitous overhaul of the DIA that ignited hostility and resistance from veteran intelligence officials. "Flynn understood that DIA was a mess," one said. "But he telegraphed his intent for radical change in a way that he immediately created resistance to his ideas, no matter their merits." Two other former officials also said they had concerns about Flynn's management style, a potential liability in a White House job that requires coordinating US policy and resolving disagreements among senior officials at different agencies. One of the officials said senior career DIA officials and other agency employees held Flynn responsible for an offensive "Dress for Success" presentation that was distributed to the workforce in January 2013. It recommended gender-specific fashion guidelines, urged people to "consider your body type" and said makeup made women "more attractive". Flynn apologised for the presentation in a subsequent memo that said neither he nor the agency "condone this briefing". Policy concerns Flynn's policy views suggest he will take a more aggressive approach against Islamist militants. Former colleagues expect his effort to bolster America's battle against jihadists to be shaped by his belief that the United States is losing a global war against Islamist extremism that may last for generations. In a new book Flynn co-authored, he prescribes a harder political line on Iran, including information warfare to expose shortcomings in Iran's revolution. Like Trump, Flynn calls the 2003 invasion of Iraq a strategic blunder and says that energy should have been directed instead toward political support for opponents of Iran's theocratic rulers. He shares Trump's vision of warmer relations with Israel but also advocates stronger ties with Egypt, whose autocratic president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, ousted the Muslim Brotherhood and was the first world leader to congratulate Trump on his victory. Flynn's appearances on Russia's government-run broadcaster RT, particularly at a gala last year attended by President Vladimir Putin, have also raised eyebrows in military circles. However, he has also expressed skepticism about Moscow's intentions, a view that does not seem to fit Trump's vision of a new era of detente with the Kremlin. Although he has more experience battling the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and other militant groups than anyone else in Trump's inner circle, Flynn's critics in the intelligence community and the military question whether his ouster from the DIA has changed him. "The whole experience seems to have made him bitter," said another former US official who worked with Flynn and spoke on condition of anonymity. Representative Adam Schiff, the senior Democrat on the House intelligence committee, questioned Flynn's temperament, saying Trump needs someone more steady and "thorough in their analysis" to temper him. "I'm not sure that's what you get with General Flynn. And I would be worried about an impulsive president with an impulsive security adviser," Schiff told CNN. Former colleagues are alarmed by his adoption of Trump's divisive campaign rhetoric - including leading chants of "Lock Her Up!" aimed at Hillary Clinton during the Republican National Convention and saying on Twitter "Fear of Muslims is RATIONAL." "I think what you have is frustration that eventually turns to anger after he leaves," said this former U.S. official. "He was frustrated over DIA; he was frustrated over administration policy toward Syria; and he's frustrated and angry over his removal from the Department of Defense." (Reuters)

Fired US Army General Michael Flynn hired as Trump's national security adviser

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