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

The US acting attorney general, Sally Yates, said on Monday&nbsp;the Justice Department would not defend Trump&#39;s&nbsp;immigration&nbsp;ban&nbsp;targeting seven Muslim-majority nations because she was not convinced they were lawful.

&quot;My responsibility is to ensure that the position of the Department of Justice is not only legally defensible, but is informed by our best view of what the law is,&quot; she wrote in a letter to employees, according to CNN.

&quot;I am responsible for ensuring that the positions we take in court remain consistent with this institution&#39;s solemn obligation to always seek justice and stand for what is right.&quot;

Trump&#39;s directive on Friday put a 120-day hold on allowing refugees into the country, an indefinite ban on refugees from Syria and a 90-day bar on citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

He has argued tougher vetting of immigrants is needed to protect America from terror attacks, but critics complain that his order unfairly singles out Muslims and defiles America&#39;s historic reputation as a welcoming place for immigrants.

&quot;At present, I am not convinced that the defence of the executive order is consistent with these responsibilities nor am I convinced that the executive order is lawful,&quot; she wrote.&nbsp;

The White House dismissed her comments as rhetoric and said Trump acted within his presidential powers.

&quot;I think that&#39;s a further demonstration of how politicised our legal system has become,&quot; said Stephen Miller, a policy adviser to Trump who has been <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/12/trumps-newest-senior-adviser-seen-ally-white-nationalists">praised by white nationalists</a> and is seen as an ally, in an interview on MSNBC.

Yates, who was appointed by former Democratic President Barack Obama, is days away from being replaced by Trump&#39;s pick for the top spot at the Justice Department, Jeff Sessions, who is awaiting Senate confirmation.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Sally Yates wrote she was not 'convinced' the order was lawful. The administration dismissed the attorney general's stance as 'rhetoric'

The US acting attorney general, Sally Yates, said on Monday the Justice Department would not defend Trump's immigration ban targeting seven Muslim-majority nations because she was not convinced they were lawful. "My responsibility is to ensure that the position of the Department of Justice is not only legally defensible, but is informed by our best view of what the law is," she wrote in a letter to employees, according to CNN. "I am responsible for ensuring that the positions we take in court remain consistent with this institution's solemn obligation to always seek justice and stand for what is right." Trump's directive on Friday put a 120-day hold on allowing refugees into the country, an indefinite ban on refugees from Syria and a 90-day bar on citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. He has argued tougher vetting of immigrants is needed to protect America from terror attacks, but critics complain that his order unfairly singles out Muslims and defiles America's historic reputation as a welcoming place for immigrants. "At present, I am not convinced that the defence of the executive order is consistent with these responsibilities nor am I convinced that the executive order is lawful," she wrote. The White House dismissed her comments as rhetoric and said Trump acted within his presidential powers. "I think that's a further demonstration of how politicised our legal system has become," said Stephen Miller, a policy adviser to Trump who has been praised by white nationalists and is seen as an ally, in an interview on MSNBC. Yates, who was appointed by former Democratic President Barack Obama, is days away from being replaced by Trump's pick for the top spot at the Justice Department, Jeff Sessions, who is awaiting Senate confirmation. (WION with inputs from agencies)

US acting attorney general defies Trump, tells Justice Department not to defend immigration ban

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump on Monday fired&nbsp;acting attorney general&nbsp;Sally Yates after she defied him by saying the Justice Department would not defend his new travel restrictions targeting seven Muslim-majority nations.

The White House said on Twitter that Dana Boente, US&nbsp;attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, would replace Yates, an appointee of former Democratic President Barack Obama, as acting US&nbsp;attorney general.

&quot;The acting attorney general, Sally Yates, has betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States,&quot; the White House said in a statement.

&quot;President Trump relieved Ms Yates of her duties and subsequently named Dana Boente, US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, to serve as acting attorney general until Senator Jeff Sessions is finally confirmed by the Senate.&quot;

&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Statement on the Appointment of Dana Boente as Acting Attorney General: <a href="https://t.co/fkAWOmnrsP">https://t.co/fkAWOmnrsP</a>
&mdash; President Trump (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/826259197700481028">January 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Yates&nbsp;said on Monday&nbsp;the Justice Department would not defend Trump&#39;s&nbsp;immigration&nbsp;ban&nbsp;targeting seven Muslim-majority nations because she was not convinced they were lawful.

She said she did not believe defending the order would be &quot;consistent with this institution&#39;s solemn obligation to always seek justice and stand for what is right&quot;.

Trump has argued tougher vetting of immigrants is needed to protect America from terror attacks but critics complain that his order unfairly singles out Muslims and defiles America&#39;s historic reputation as a welcoming place for immigrants.

Yates was days away from being replaced by Trump&#39;s pick for the top spot at the Justice Department, Republican Senator Jeff Sessions, who is awaiting Senate confirmation.

The White House dismissed her comments as rhetoric and said Trump acted within his presidential powers.

&quot;I think that&#39;s a further demonstration of how politicized our legal system has become,&quot; said Stephen Miller, a policy adviser to Trump, in an interview on MSNBC.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

The White House suddenly replaced one of the highest legal professionals in the country with one who will do Trump's bidding

US President Donald Trump on Monday fired acting attorney general Sally Yates after she defied him by saying the Justice Department would not defend his new travel restrictions targeting seven Muslim-majority nations. The White House said on Twitter that Dana Boente, US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, would replace Yates, an appointee of former Democratic President Barack Obama, as acting US attorney general. "The acting attorney general, Sally Yates, has betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States," the White House said in a statement. "President Trump relieved Ms Yates of her duties and subsequently named Dana Boente, US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, to serve as acting attorney general until Senator Jeff Sessions is finally confirmed by the Senate." Statement on the Appointment of Dana Boente as Acting Attorney General: https://t.co/fkAWOmnrsP — President Trump (@POTUS) January 31, 2017 × Yates said on Monday the Justice Department would not defend Trump's immigration ban targeting seven Muslim-majority nations because she was not convinced they were lawful. She said she did not believe defending the order would be "consistent with this institution's solemn obligation to always seek justice and stand for what is right". Trump has argued tougher vetting of immigrants is needed to protect America from terror attacks but critics complain that his order unfairly singles out Muslims and defiles America's historic reputation as a welcoming place for immigrants. Yates was days away from being replaced by Trump's pick for the top spot at the Justice Department, Republican Senator Jeff Sessions, who is awaiting Senate confirmation. The White House dismissed her comments as rhetoric and said Trump acted within his presidential powers. "I think that's a further demonstration of how politicized our legal system has become," said Stephen Miller, a policy adviser to Trump, in an interview on MSNBC. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Trump fires acting attorney general who called immigration ban unlawful

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

US acting attorney general defies Trump, tells Justice Department not to defend immigration ban

Trump fires acting attorney general who called immigration ban unlawful