Michael Sussmann, a former lawyer at a firm that represented Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, has been found not guilty of lying to the FBI over spreading false information on Donald Trump and his links to a Russian bank.

A federal jury of the Washington DC&nbsp;District Court gave the verdict on Tuesday after jurors unanimously agreed to acquit Sussmann of the criminal charge.

The case pertained to Sussmann, a cybersecurity attorney and former federal prosecutor, allegedly concealing from the FBI that he was representing Clinton’s campaign when he gave a so-called proof of a secret backchannel between Russia-based Alfa Bank and Trump’s business company, the Trump Organization. The FBI had investigated but quickly determined that there was no suspicious contact.

Welcoming the verdict, Sussmann in brief remarks to reporters said, "I told the truth to the FBI, and the jury clearly recognized that with their unanimous verdict," he said, adding that he was "relieved that justice ultimately prevailed in this case”, reports Reuters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-was-scared-biden-would-be-replaced-with-hillary-clinton-or-michelle-obama-book-claims-390209">Trump was scared Biden would be replaced with Hillary Clinton or Michelle Obama, book claims</a>

"I'm looking forward to getting back to work that I love," Sussmann added.

However, the verdict dealt a major blow to John Durham, the special prosecutor appointed by William Barr, Trump's attorney general, to probe the origins of federal investigations into alleged Russian interference in US politics.

Also read |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hillary-clinton-reads-discarded-victory-speech-from-2016-election-435415">Hillary Clinton reads discarded victory speech from 2016 election</a>

In a statement released by the Justice Department, Durham said: “While we are disappointed in the outcome, we respect the jury’s decision and thank them for their service. I also want to recognize and thank the investigators and the prosecution team for their dedicated efforts in seeking truth and justice in this case.”

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The website of John S Taylor Park encourages players to "discover the sport of disc golf on a course set in the natural beauty of this park." But there are also signs, which discourage swimming in the lake. As the probe continues, the cops have advised people to stay away from the lake.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Michael Sussmann, a former lawyer at a firm that represented Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, has been found not guilty of lying to the FBI over spreading false information on Donald Trump and his links to a Russian bank.

Michael Sussmann, a former lawyer at a firm that represented Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, has been found not guilty of lying to the FBI over spreading false information on Donald Trump and his links to a Russian bank. A federal jury of the Washington DC District Court gave the verdict on Tuesday after jurors unanimously agreed to acquit Sussmann of the criminal charge. The case pertained to Sussmann, a cybersecurity attorney and former federal prosecutor, allegedly concealing from the FBI that he was representing Clinton’s campaign when he gave a so-called proof of a secret backchannel between Russia-based Alfa Bank and Trump’s business company, the Trump Organization. The FBI had investigated but quickly determined that there was no suspicious contact. Welcoming the verdict, Sussmann in brief remarks to reporters said, "I told the truth to the FBI, and the jury clearly recognized that with their unanimous verdict," he said, adding that he was "relieved that justice ultimately prevailed in this case”, reports Reuters. Also read | Trump was scared Biden would be replaced with Hillary Clinton or Michelle Obama, book claims "I'm looking forward to getting back to work that I love," Sussmann added. However, the verdict dealt a major blow to John Durham, the special prosecutor appointed by William Barr, Trump's attorney general, to probe the origins of federal investigations into alleged Russian interference in US politics. Also read | Hillary Clinton reads discarded victory speech from 2016 election In a statement released by the Justice Department, Durham said: “While we are disappointed in the outcome, we respect the jury’s decision and thank them for their service. I also want to recognize and thank the investigators and the prosecution team for their dedicated efforts in seeking truth and justice in this case.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE The website of John S Taylor Park encourages players to "discover the sport of disc golf on a course set in the natural beauty of this park." But there are also signs, which discourage swimming in the lake. As the probe continues, the cops have advised people to stay away from the lake.

Hilary Clinton’s 2016 campaign lawyer acquitted of lying to FBI over Trump’s Russia links

US President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Saturday declaring that he has &quot;complete power to pardon,&quot; as his administration continued to be bogged down by ongoing investigations of possible ties between his 2016 campaign and Russia.

Trump did not specify who, if anyone, he might consider pardoning. But his tweets appeared to be in response to Washington Post reports this week that Trump and his legal team have examined presidential powers to pardon Trump aides, family members and possibly even himself.

Reuters has not independently confirmed the newspaper accounts.

&quot;While all agree the US&nbsp;President has the complete power to pardon, why think of that when only crime so far is LEAKS against us. FAKE NEWS,&quot; Trump wrote.

The Washington Post, citing current and former US&nbsp;officials, reported on Friday that Russia&#39;s ambassador to the United States was overheard by US&nbsp;spy agencies telling his bosses that he had discussed campaign-related matters with Trump adviser Jeff Sessions last year, when Sessions was a US&nbsp;senator.

&quot;These illegal leaks...must stop,&quot; Trump tweeted on Saturday.

Sessions now heads the Justice Department, serving as Trump&#39;s attorney general.

Sessions had initially failed to disclose at the confirmation hearing for his Cabinet appointment his 2016 contacts with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak, and later said they were not about the campaign.

In March, Sessions recused himself from the Russia probe. During an interview with The New York Times this week, Trump lashed out at Sessions, telling the newspaper he would not have chosen him for attorney general had he known Sessions would recuse himself.

Scholars have raised questions about the scope of the president&#39;s legal authority in issuing pardons. If sometime in the future Trump moved to pardon himself, the US&nbsp;Supreme Court might have to decide on the constitutionality, some have speculated.&nbsp;

Trump has not been accused of any wrongdoing by federal investigators who continue probes into Russia&#39;s role in trying to influence the 2016 US&nbsp;presidential election.

A special counsel, Robert Mueller, is looking into any relationships or contacts between Trump campaign officials and Russians last year during the hard-fought election with Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Congressional committees also are exploring Russia&#39;s influence into the US&nbsp;elections.

Trump traveled on Saturday to Norfolk, Virginia, where he spoke at a commissioning ceremony for the aircraft carrier the USS Gerald R. Ford.

In his remarks, Trump made no mention of the Russia controversy, focusing his speech on the need for more robust US&nbsp;military spending.

&quot;We need Congress to do its job and pass the budget that provides for higher, stable and predictable funding levels for our military needs that our fighting men and women deserve and you will get,&quot; Trump said, referring to the defense build-up he is seeking.

The new ship is named after the Republican president who held the White House from 1974-1977.

The US&nbsp;Senate Judiciary Committee said on Friday that Trump&#39;s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., and Trump&#39;s former campaign manager Paul Manafort had agreed to negotiate whether to be interviewed by the panel in its Russia investigation.

Trump Jr., Manafort and Jared Kushner, the president&#39;s son-in-law and now one of his senior advisers, all met with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya in June 2016. That meeting was arranged in Trump Tower in New York after the lawyer offered damaging information about Clinton.

In his Saturday tweets, Trump also had words for Republican senators who have not been able to agree on a way forward to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama&#39;s healthcare law, the Affordable Care Act, which has become known as Obamacare and which Trump promised to do away with as president.

&quot;The Republican Senators must step up to the plate and, after 7 years, vote to Repeal and Replace. Next, Tax Reform and Infrastructure. WIN!&quot; he tweeted.

Trump did not specify who, if anyone, he might consider pardoning

US President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Saturday declaring that he has "complete power to pardon," as his administration continued to be bogged down by ongoing investigations of possible ties between his 2016 campaign and Russia. Trump did not specify who, if anyone, he might consider pardoning. But his tweets appeared to be in response to Washington Post reports this week that Trump and his legal team have examined presidential powers to pardon Trump aides, family members and possibly even himself. Reuters has not independently confirmed the newspaper accounts. "While all agree the US President has the complete power to pardon, why think of that when only crime so far is LEAKS against us. FAKE NEWS," Trump wrote. The Washington Post, citing current and former US officials, reported on Friday that Russia's ambassador to the United States was overheard by US spy agencies telling his bosses that he had discussed campaign-related matters with Trump adviser Jeff Sessions last year, when Sessions was a US senator. "These illegal leaks...must stop," Trump tweeted on Saturday. Sessions now heads the Justice Department, serving as Trump's attorney general. Sessions had initially failed to disclose at the confirmation hearing for his Cabinet appointment his 2016 contacts with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak, and later said they were not about the campaign. In March, Sessions recused himself from the Russia probe. During an interview with The New York Times this week, Trump lashed out at Sessions, telling the newspaper he would not have chosen him for attorney general had he known Sessions would recuse himself. Scholars have raised questions about the scope of the president's legal authority in issuing pardons. If sometime in the future Trump moved to pardon himself, the US Supreme Court might have to decide on the constitutionality, some have speculated. Trump has not been accused of any wrongdoing by federal investigators who continue probes into Russia's role in trying to influence the 2016 US presidential election. A special counsel, Robert Mueller, is looking into any relationships or contacts between Trump campaign officials and Russians last year during the hard-fought election with Democrat Hillary Clinton. Congressional committees also are exploring Russia's influence into the US elections. Trump traveled on Saturday to Norfolk, Virginia, where he spoke at a commissioning ceremony for the aircraft carrier the USS Gerald R. Ford. In his remarks, Trump made no mention of the Russia controversy, focusing his speech on the need for more robust US military spending. "We need Congress to do its job and pass the budget that provides for higher, stable and predictable funding levels for our military needs that our fighting men and women deserve and you will get," Trump said, referring to the defense build-up he is seeking. The new ship is named after the Republican president who held the White House from 1974-1977. The US Senate Judiciary Committee said on Friday that Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., and Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort had agreed to negotiate whether to be interviewed by the panel in its Russia investigation. Trump Jr., Manafort and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and now one of his senior advisers, all met with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya in June 2016. That meeting was arranged in Trump Tower in New York after the lawyer offered damaging information about Clinton. In his Saturday tweets, Trump also had words for Republican senators who have not been able to agree on a way forward to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama's healthcare law, the Affordable Care Act, which has become known as Obamacare and which Trump promised to do away with as president. "The Republican Senators must step up to the plate and, after 7 years, vote to Repeal and Replace. Next, Tax Reform and Infrastructure. WIN!" he tweeted.

Trump says he has 'complete power to pardon' amid probes of Russia role in US election

President Donald Trump&#39;s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, made a pre-inauguration proposal to the Russian ambassador to set up a secret, bug-proof communications line with the Kremlin, the Washington Post reported Friday evening.

Kushner, then and now a close adviser to Trump, went so far as to suggest using Russian diplomatic facilities in the United States to protect such a channel from being monitored, the Post said, quoting US officials briefed on intelligence reports.

The Post story is yet another sensational detail in the deluge of allegations raising questions about team Trump&#39;s relationship with the Russians, whom US intelligence agencies say tried to sway the November election in Trump&#39;s favour and thus deny Hillary Clinton the presidency.

And it ensures that Trump will be thrust right back into the din of the Russia scandal upon his return to Washington this weekend, following his first foreign trip, a tour of the Middle East and Europe.

The Washington Post said the secret comms proposal was made December 1 or 2 at Trump Tower in New York, according to intercepts of Russian communications that were reviewed by US officials.&nbsp;

Michael Flynn, who would become Trump&#39;s national security adviser before being fired 24 days into the job for not telling the truth about meetings he held with the Russian ambassador, was also at the meeting, the Post said.

The Russian ambassador, Sergei Kislyak, was surprised by Kushner&#39;s idea of the secret channel and passed it on to the Kremlin, the Post said. It did not specify what came of Kushner&#39;s alleged pitch if anything.

The White House did not immediately comment on the Post report.&nbsp;

Besides the Kushner developments, which strikes at Trump&#39;s core by drawing his family into the crisis, the White House also faces a cascade of other worries in the coming week.

Fired former FBI director James Comey has promised to testify at a yet-unscheduled open session before the Senate Intelligence Committee, sometime after Monday&#39;s Memorial Day holiday.

And the White House staff itself could be facing upheaval. CBS News reported that Trump is expected to consider plans for a shakeup of his communications operation upon his return.

Kushner at centre stage

But Kushner, the 36-year-old real estate developer who is married to Trump&#39;s daughter Ivanka, is likely to take centre stage in the coming days.

Reserved in public, he was on prominent view during Trump&#39;s first presidential trip, as befits a trusted behind-the-scenes adviser involved in everything from Middle East peace to an initiative to streamline the US bureaucracy.

The Post reported earlier that investigators are focusing on meetings he held in December with Moscow&#39;s ambassador and the head of a Russian bank that has been under US sanctions since 2014.

Kushner has offered to talk to Congress about these meetings, according to his lawyer Jamie Gorelick.

The Post and other media have been careful to note that their sources did not say Kushner was a &quot;target&quot; of the investigation, nor that he was accused of any wrongdoing.

If he were a &quot;target,&quot; it would suggest Kushner was a main suspect in the investigation.

The Post reported last week that the Russia investigation had been extended to a top White House official as a &quot;significant person of interest.&quot;

Kushner is the only person currently in the White House known to be under investigation.

Russia contacts

At least four other former campaign aides or advisers have been reported to be under FBI scrutiny as well -- Flynn, former campaign manager Paul Manafort, sometime Trump adviser Roger Stone, and ex-campaign adviser Carter Page.

The FBI investigation is now being overseen by Robert Mueller, a respected former FBI director who was given broad powers to pursue the case as a special counsel after Trump abruptly fired Comey on May 9.

The key question before the FBI is whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia in its effort to tilt the 2016 US election in the Republican&#39;s favour, which included a damaging hack of Democratic campaign emails.

Trump has denied any collusion, calling the probe &quot;the greatest witch hunt&quot; in American political history.&nbsp;

Former CIA director John Brennan revealed this week that intelligence chiefs had been looking into suspicious contacts between Trump campaign associates and Russian officials since mid-2016.

The Senate and House Intelligence Committees also are investigating, but not with an eye to bringing criminal charges.

In early December, after Trump had won the elections, Kushner and Flynn met in New York with Kislyak.

Kushner also met that month with Sergei Gorkov, chairman of VneshEconomBank, the state bank under US sanctions since July 2014.

Both those meetings have since been publicly acknowledged by the White House, but Kushner initially failed to declare them on forms submitted to obtain a security clearance.

His lawyer later said it was a mistake, telling the FBI that he would amend the forms.

(AFP)

He went so far as to suggest using Russian diplomatic facilities in the United States to protect such a channel from being monitored

President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, made a pre-inauguration proposal to the Russian ambassador to set up a secret, bug-proof communications line with the Kremlin, the Washington Post reported Friday evening. Kushner, then and now a close adviser to Trump, went so far as to suggest using Russian diplomatic facilities in the United States to protect such a channel from being monitored, the Post said, quoting US officials briefed on intelligence reports. The Post story is yet another sensational detail in the deluge of allegations raising questions about team Trump's relationship with the Russians, whom US intelligence agencies say tried to sway the November election in Trump's favour and thus deny Hillary Clinton the presidency. And it ensures that Trump will be thrust right back into the din of the Russia scandal upon his return to Washington this weekend, following his first foreign trip, a tour of the Middle East and Europe. The Washington Post said the secret comms proposal was made December 1 or 2 at Trump Tower in New York, according to intercepts of Russian communications that were reviewed by US officials. Michael Flynn, who would become Trump's national security adviser before being fired 24 days into the job for not telling the truth about meetings he held with the Russian ambassador, was also at the meeting, the Post said. The Russian ambassador, Sergei Kislyak, was surprised by Kushner's idea of the secret channel and passed it on to the Kremlin, the Post said. It did not specify what came of Kushner's alleged pitch if anything. The White House did not immediately comment on the Post report. Besides the Kushner developments, which strikes at Trump's core by drawing his family into the crisis, the White House also faces a cascade of other worries in the coming week. Fired former FBI director James Comey has promised to testify at a yet-unscheduled open session before the Senate Intelligence Committee, sometime after Monday's Memorial Day holiday. And the White House staff itself could be facing upheaval. CBS News reported that Trump is expected to consider plans for a shakeup of his communications operation upon his return. Kushner at centre stage But Kushner, the 36-year-old real estate developer who is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka, is likely to take centre stage in the coming days. Reserved in public, he was on prominent view during Trump's first presidential trip, as befits a trusted behind-the-scenes adviser involved in everything from Middle East peace to an initiative to streamline the US bureaucracy. The Post reported earlier that investigators are focusing on meetings he held in December with Moscow's ambassador and the head of a Russian bank that has been under US sanctions since 2014. Kushner has offered to talk to Congress about these meetings, according to his lawyer Jamie Gorelick. The Post and other media have been careful to note that their sources did not say Kushner was a "target" of the investigation, nor that he was accused of any wrongdoing. If he were a "target," it would suggest Kushner was a main suspect in the investigation. The Post reported last week that the Russia investigation had been extended to a top White House official as a "significant person of interest." Kushner is the only person currently in the White House known to be under investigation. Russia contacts At least four other former campaign aides or advisers have been reported to be under FBI scrutiny as well -- Flynn, former campaign manager Paul Manafort, sometime Trump adviser Roger Stone, and ex-campaign adviser Carter Page. The FBI investigation is now being overseen by Robert Mueller, a respected former FBI director who was given broad powers to pursue the case as a special counsel after Trump abruptly fired Comey on May 9. The key question before the FBI is whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia in its effort to tilt the 2016 US election in the Republican's favour, which included a damaging hack of Democratic campaign emails. Trump has denied any collusion, calling the probe "the greatest witch hunt" in American political history. Former CIA director John Brennan revealed this week that intelligence chiefs had been looking into suspicious contacts between Trump campaign associates and Russian officials since mid-2016. The Senate and House Intelligence Committees also are investigating, but not with an eye to bringing criminal charges. In early December, after Trump had won the elections, Kushner and Flynn met in New York with Kislyak. Kushner also met that month with Sergei Gorkov, chairman of VneshEconomBank, the state bank under US sanctions since July 2014. Both those meetings have since been publicly acknowledged by the White House, but Kushner initially failed to declare them on forms submitted to obtain a security clearance. His lawyer later said it was a mistake, telling the FBI that he would amend the forms. (AFP)

Jared Kushner sought secret communications line with Russia: Report

The US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee will subpoena former national security adviser Michael Flynn in its probe into alleged Russian meddling in the presidential election after he declined to appear before the panel, its top Democrat said on Wednesday.

&quot;We will be following up with subpoenas, and those subpoenas will be designed to maximise our chance of getting the information that we need,&quot; Representative Adam Schiff told journalists at a breakfast sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor.

The leaders of the US&nbsp;Senate Intelligence Committee said on Tuesday they would subpoena two of Flynn&#39;s businesses after he declined to hand over documents in its separate Russia probe.

The intelligence panels want Flynn to provide information on whether there was Russian interference in the 2016 US&nbsp;election and whether there was collusion between Donald Trump&#39;s campaign and Russia. Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations and Trump denies any collusion.

Trump&#39;s young administration has been dogged by concerns about its ties to Russia and questions over whether Trump associates may have cooperated with Russians as they sought to meddle in last year&#39;s election on Trump&#39;s behalf.

Flynn, a retired general, is a key witness in the Russia investigations because of his ties to Moscow.

He was fired from his position at the White House in February, after less than a month on the job, for failing to disclose the content of talks with Sergei Kislyak, Russia&#39;s ambassador to the United States, and misleading Vice President Mike Pence about the conversations.

On Tuesday, former CIA Director John Brennan testified to the House intelligence panel that he had noticed enough contact between Trump associates and Russia during the 2016 campaign to justify an investigation by the FBI.

Brennan&rsquo;s confirmation of contacts between Russian officials and members of Trump&#39;s team, increased the pressure on investigators to determine whether the Trump camp colluded with the Russians.

Schiff said the House panel had invited its first group of witnesses to testify, it is obtaining documents, and assessing who will cooperate voluntarily, and who will have to be subpoenaed.

Financial Information

Schiff also said the committee was trying to obtain an audio recording of any conversation between Trump and former FBI Director James Comey, who Trump fired this month, or Comey&#39;s notes on his meeting with the president.

He declined to comment specifically on what financial information the committee was obtaining, but speaking in general terms, he noted that one tactic Russians use to influence foreign nationals is financial entanglement.

&quot;So we need to take a look at some of the financial issues to try to determine whether the Russians used money to try to entangle U.S. persons, as a way of influencing their conduct,&rdquo; Schiff said.

The intelligence panels are among several congressional committees looking into the allegations involving links between Russia and Trump&#39;s Nov. 8 victory. The U.S. Justice Department announced last week that former FBI Director Robert Mueller had been appointed special counsel to lead an independent probe of the matter.

Separately, a group of Democrats on the House Financial Services Committee, said on Wednesday they had asked Deutsche Bank to provide information on whether any accounts connected to Trump have ties to Russia.

(Reuters)

'We will be following up with subpoenas, and those subpoenas will be designed to maximize our chance of getting the information that we need,' Representative Adam Schiff told journalists at a breakfast sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor.

The US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee will subpoena former national security adviser Michael Flynn in its probe into alleged Russian meddling in the presidential election after he declined to appear before the panel, its top Democrat said on Wednesday. "We will be following up with subpoenas, and those subpoenas will be designed to maximise our chance of getting the information that we need," Representative Adam Schiff told journalists at a breakfast sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor. The leaders of the US Senate Intelligence Committee said on Tuesday they would subpoena two of Flynn's businesses after he declined to hand over documents in its separate Russia probe. The intelligence panels want Flynn to provide information on whether there was Russian interference in the 2016 US election and whether there was collusion between Donald Trump's campaign and Russia. Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations and Trump denies any collusion. Trump's young administration has been dogged by concerns about its ties to Russia and questions over whether Trump associates may have cooperated with Russians as they sought to meddle in last year's election on Trump's behalf. Flynn, a retired general, is a key witness in the Russia investigations because of his ties to Moscow. He was fired from his position at the White House in February, after less than a month on the job, for failing to disclose the content of talks with Sergei Kislyak, Russia's ambassador to the United States, and misleading Vice President Mike Pence about the conversations. On Tuesday, former CIA Director John Brennan testified to the House intelligence panel that he had noticed enough contact between Trump associates and Russia during the 2016 campaign to justify an investigation by the FBI. Brennan’s confirmation of contacts between Russian officials and members of Trump's team, increased the pressure on investigators to determine whether the Trump camp colluded with the Russians. Schiff said the House panel had invited its first group of witnesses to testify, it is obtaining documents, and assessing who will cooperate voluntarily, and who will have to be subpoenaed. Financial Information Schiff also said the committee was trying to obtain an audio recording of any conversation between Trump and former FBI Director James Comey, who Trump fired this month, or Comey's notes on his meeting with the president. He declined to comment specifically on what financial information the committee was obtaining, but speaking in general terms, he noted that one tactic Russians use to influence foreign nationals is financial entanglement. "So we need to take a look at some of the financial issues to try to determine whether the Russians used money to try to entangle U.S. persons, as a way of influencing their conduct,” Schiff said. The intelligence panels are among several congressional committees looking into the allegations involving links between Russia and Trump's Nov. 8 victory. The U.S. Justice Department announced last week that former FBI Director Robert Mueller had been appointed special counsel to lead an independent probe of the matter. Separately, a group of Democrats on the House Financial Services Committee, said on Wednesday they had asked Deutsche Bank to provide information on whether any accounts connected to Trump have ties to Russia. (Reuters)

US House Intelligence Committee to subpoena Flynn

Former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn declined on Monday to comply with a subpoena from the Senate Intelligence Committee as it investigates possible Russian interference in the 2016 US election.

Flynn invoked his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination, according to a letter to the Senate committee from his attorney, which was obtained by Reuters.

The retired lieutenant general is a key witness in the Russia probe.

Flynn`s attorneys did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Senators Richard Burr and Mark Warner, the top Republican and Democrat on the panel, said in a statement they were disappointed by Flynn`s decision, but would &quot;vigorously pursue&quot; his testimony.

The committee is conducting one of the main congressional probes into US intelligence agency reports of Russian meddling in the election and whether there was any collusion between President Donald Trump&rsquo;s campaign and Russia. Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations and Trump denies any collusion between his campaign and Russian officials.

Flynn apparently misled Pentagon investigators about his foreign connections when he sought to renew his security clearance in early 2016, according to a document obtained by congressional Democrats and released in part on Monday.

Flynn, interviewed as part of the clearance renewal process, said that all of his foreign trips as a private citizen &quot;were funded by U.S. companies,&quot; according to excerpts of a March 14, 2016 report compiled by security clearance investigators.

In fact, a trip Flynn made to Moscow in December 2015, where he attended a gala dinner and sat next to Russian President Vladimir Putin, was paid for by Russia Today, which U.S. officials consider a state-run propaganda arm, according to documents previously released by the House Oversight Committee.

The document is the latest to shed light on how Flynn received a security clearance and was subsequently hired as Trump`s national security advisor. He was forced to resign from the job in February after less than a month for failing to disclose the content of his talks with Sergei Kislyak, Russia`s ambassador to the United States, and then misleading Vice President Mike Pence about the conversations.

Excerpts were released by Rep. Elijah Cummings, ranking Democrat on the House committee.

Flynn`s decision to decline to comply with the Senate Intelligence Committee subpoena was first reported by the Associated Press.

The Senate committee first requested documents from Flynn in an April 28 letter, but he declined to cooperate with the request. Then it issued a subpoena.

In response, his attorney wrote to the committee that &quot;the context in which the Committee has called for General Flynn&rsquo;s testimonial production of documents makes clear that he has more than a reasonable apprehension that any testimony he provides could be used against him.&quot;

Flynn&rsquo;s legal team said that he was rejecting the subpoena because the committee spurned his offer, made by the retired Army general in a May 8 letter, &quot;to give a full account of the facts and to answer the committee&rsquo;s questions, should the circumstances permit, including assurances against unfair prosecution. We stated that, absent such assurances, General Flynn would respectfully decline your request for an interview and for production of documents.&quot;

It was not clear what the committee would do if Flynn decided not to comply.

On Monday, Senator James Lankford, a Republican member of the intelligence panel, said on Twitter that Flynn was within his rights to invoke the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

&ldquo;We will get to the truth one way or another,&rdquo; Lankford said on Twitter. &ldquo;We need facts, not speculation &amp; anonymous sources.&rdquo; 
Congress has the constitutional authority to enforce a subpoena.

A Congressional Research Service report outlined three main options: seeking criminal prosecution through the executive branch, asking the courts for a civil judgement and using a dormant power of &quot;inherent contempt&quot; to detain and imprison an individual.

The latter option has not been used in 75 years, the report said, with Congress more often relying on the criminal contempt statute recently.

US intelligence agencies concluded in January that Moscow tried to sway the November vote in Trump`s favour. Russia has denied involvement, and Trump denies any collusion between his campaign and Russia.

Reuters reported on Thursday that Flynn and other advisers to Trump&rsquo;s campaign were in contact with Russian officials and others with Kremlin ties in at least 18 calls and emails during the last seven months of the US presidential race.

Two other former Trump associates - one-time campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Republican operative Roger Stone - have turned over documents the Senate panel had requested, while a third - campaign adviser Carter Page - had not yet complied, NBC News reported, citing a congressional source.

Flynn has acknowledged being a paid consultant to the Turkish government during the campaign.

(Reuters)

Flynn apparently misled Pentagon investigators about his foreign connections when he sought to renew his security clearance in early 2016, according to a document obtained by congressional Democrats and released in part on Monday.

Former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn declined on Monday to comply with a subpoena from the Senate Intelligence Committee as it investigates possible Russian interference in the 2016 US election. Flynn invoked his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination, according to a letter to the Senate committee from his attorney, which was obtained by Reuters. The retired lieutenant general is a key witness in the Russia probe. Flynn`s attorneys did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Senators Richard Burr and Mark Warner, the top Republican and Democrat on the panel, said in a statement they were disappointed by Flynn`s decision, but would "vigorously pursue" his testimony. The committee is conducting one of the main congressional probes into US intelligence agency reports of Russian meddling in the election and whether there was any collusion between President Donald Trump’s campaign and Russia. Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations and Trump denies any collusion between his campaign and Russian officials. Flynn apparently misled Pentagon investigators about his foreign connections when he sought to renew his security clearance in early 2016, according to a document obtained by congressional Democrats and released in part on Monday. Flynn, interviewed as part of the clearance renewal process, said that all of his foreign trips as a private citizen "were funded by U.S. companies," according to excerpts of a March 14, 2016 report compiled by security clearance investigators. In fact, a trip Flynn made to Moscow in December 2015, where he attended a gala dinner and sat next to Russian President Vladimir Putin, was paid for by Russia Today, which U.S. officials consider a state-run propaganda arm, according to documents previously released by the House Oversight Committee. The document is the latest to shed light on how Flynn received a security clearance and was subsequently hired as Trump`s national security advisor. He was forced to resign from the job in February after less than a month for failing to disclose the content of his talks with Sergei Kislyak, Russia`s ambassador to the United States, and then misleading Vice President Mike Pence about the conversations. Excerpts were released by Rep. Elijah Cummings, ranking Democrat on the House committee. Flynn`s decision to decline to comply with the Senate Intelligence Committee subpoena was first reported by the Associated Press. The Senate committee first requested documents from Flynn in an April 28 letter, but he declined to cooperate with the request. Then it issued a subpoena. In response, his attorney wrote to the committee that "the context in which the Committee has called for General Flynn’s testimonial production of documents makes clear that he has more than a reasonable apprehension that any testimony he provides could be used against him." Flynn’s legal team said that he was rejecting the subpoena because the committee spurned his offer, made by the retired Army general in a May 8 letter, "to give a full account of the facts and to answer the committee’s questions, should the circumstances permit, including assurances against unfair prosecution. We stated that, absent such assurances, General Flynn would respectfully decline your request for an interview and for production of documents." It was not clear what the committee would do if Flynn decided not to comply. On Monday, Senator James Lankford, a Republican member of the intelligence panel, said on Twitter that Flynn was within his rights to invoke the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. “We will get to the truth one way or another,” Lankford said on Twitter. “We need facts, not speculation & anonymous sources.” Congress has the constitutional authority to enforce a subpoena. A Congressional Research Service report outlined three main options: seeking criminal prosecution through the executive branch, asking the courts for a civil judgement and using a dormant power of "inherent contempt" to detain and imprison an individual. The latter option has not been used in 75 years, the report said, with Congress more often relying on the criminal contempt statute recently. US intelligence agencies concluded in January that Moscow tried to sway the November vote in Trump`s favour. Russia has denied involvement, and Trump denies any collusion between his campaign and Russia. Reuters reported on Thursday that Flynn and other advisers to Trump’s campaign were in contact with Russian officials and others with Kremlin ties in at least 18 calls and emails during the last seven months of the US presidential race. Two other former Trump associates - one-time campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Republican operative Roger Stone - have turned over documents the Senate panel had requested, while a third - campaign adviser Carter Page - had not yet complied, NBC News reported, citing a congressional source. Flynn has acknowledged being a paid consultant to the Turkish government during the campaign. (Reuters)

Ex-US NSA Flynn refuses to comply with subpoena from Senate Intelligence Committee

President Donald Trump declared himself the victim of the &quot;greatest witch hunt&quot; in American political history Thursday, lashing out after a probe into his campaign ties with Russia was significantly strengthened.

On Wednesday, a high-powered special counsel was appointed to investigate events around the 2016 election -- a move that left the Republican billionaire seething, and sent world stock markets tumbling.

Hours after former FBI director Robert Mueller was tapped to take over the investigation, Trump took to Twitter in the early morning to scrub the White House&#39;s earlier, more measured, response.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
This is the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/865173176854204416">May 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

&quot;This is the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history!&quot; Trump wrote, his anger bubbling over.

&quot;With all of the illegal acts that took place in the Clinton campaign &amp; Obama Administration, there was never a special counsel appointed!&quot; he said, without providing evidence for those claims.

Trump has repeatedly denied any collusion between his campaign and the Kremlin, amid accusations from US intelligence that Russian President Vladimir Putin orchestrated a sweeping campaign to tilt the vote in the Republican&#39;s favor.

At the center of the political firestorm are Trump&#39;s former national security advisor Michael Flynn and his one-time campaign manager Paul Manafort, and their multiple undisclosed contacts with Russian officials during and after the vote.

So far, no evidence of collusion has been presented, but the question has consumed the first four months of Trump&#39;s presidency and spurred multiple crises that have left the White House shell-shocked.

Crisis after crisis

Trump sent shockwaves across Washington last week by unceremoniously sacking his FBI director -- a virtually unprecedented move that came as James Comey was heading an investigation into Team Trump&#39;s links to Russia.

It later emerged that Comey had made notes of his meetings with Trump, who reportedly asked him to quash an investigation into Flynn&#39;s contacts with foreign governments.

Trump was then accused of divulging highly sensitive classified information gleaned by Israeli spies to visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The triple whammy has left Trump aides dazed and wondering about the future of his young presidency.

With Trump only eight percent of the way through its term, his advisors spend their days swapping rumors of mass White House firings.

Others are already considering leaving, and allies due to join the administration say they are holding off.

The appointment of Mueller as special counsel will raise the intensity of the investigation and make it less vulnerable to political interference.

Fighting back has consumed much of the political oxygen inside the White House, leaving Trump&#39;s agenda in doubt.

But the president&#39;s most powerful ally on Capitol Hill, House Speaker Paul Ryan, on Thursday said the work of government would continue regardless.

&quot;It&#39;s always nice to have less drama,&quot; he said. &quot;That doesn&#39;t seize up Congress. That doesn&#39;t stop us from doing our jobs to work on people&#39;s problems.&quot;

Some of Trump&#39;s Republican allies, like Congressman Jason Amash, have begun cautiously suggesting impeachment is no longer impossible.

With the 2018 Congressional mid-term elections fast approaching, maybe of Trump&#39;s erstwhile allies face a difficult campaign dominated by questions about the president&#39;s conduct and with few legislative victories to fall back on.

A Gallup tracking poll put Trump&#39;s approval rating at a historically low 38 per cent, even before the latest wave of scandals.

(AFP)

Hours after former FBI director Robert Mueller was tapped to take over the investigation, Trump took to Twitter in the early morning to scrub the White House's earlier, more measured, response

President Donald Trump declared himself the victim of the "greatest witch hunt" in American political history Thursday, lashing out after a probe into his campaign ties with Russia was significantly strengthened. On Wednesday, a high-powered special counsel was appointed to investigate events around the 2016 election -- a move that left the Republican billionaire seething, and sent world stock markets tumbling. Hours after former FBI director Robert Mueller was tapped to take over the investigation, Trump took to Twitter in the early morning to scrub the White House's earlier, more measured, response. This is the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 18, 2017 × "This is the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history!" Trump wrote, his anger bubbling over. "With all of the illegal acts that took place in the Clinton campaign & Obama Administration, there was never a special counsel appointed!" he said, without providing evidence for those claims. Trump has repeatedly denied any collusion between his campaign and the Kremlin, amid accusations from US intelligence that Russian President Vladimir Putin orchestrated a sweeping campaign to tilt the vote in the Republican's favor. At the center of the political firestorm are Trump's former national security advisor Michael Flynn and his one-time campaign manager Paul Manafort, and their multiple undisclosed contacts with Russian officials during and after the vote. So far, no evidence of collusion has been presented, but the question has consumed the first four months of Trump's presidency and spurred multiple crises that have left the White House shell-shocked. Crisis after crisis Trump sent shockwaves across Washington last week by unceremoniously sacking his FBI director -- a virtually unprecedented move that came as James Comey was heading an investigation into Team Trump's links to Russia. It later emerged that Comey had made notes of his meetings with Trump, who reportedly asked him to quash an investigation into Flynn's contacts with foreign governments. Trump was then accused of divulging highly sensitive classified information gleaned by Israeli spies to visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The triple whammy has left Trump aides dazed and wondering about the future of his young presidency. With Trump only eight percent of the way through its term, his advisors spend their days swapping rumors of mass White House firings. Others are already considering leaving, and allies due to join the administration say they are holding off. The appointment of Mueller as special counsel will raise the intensity of the investigation and make it less vulnerable to political interference. Fighting back has consumed much of the political oxygen inside the White House, leaving Trump's agenda in doubt. But the president's most powerful ally on Capitol Hill, House Speaker Paul Ryan, on Thursday said the work of government would continue regardless. "It's always nice to have less drama," he said. "That doesn't seize up Congress. That doesn't stop us from doing our jobs to work on people's problems." Some of Trump's Republican allies, like Congressman Jason Amash, have begun cautiously suggesting impeachment is no longer impossible. With the 2018 Congressional mid-term elections fast approaching, maybe of Trump's erstwhile allies face a difficult campaign dominated by questions about the president's conduct and with few legislative victories to fall back on. A Gallup tracking poll put Trump's approval rating at a historically low 38 per cent, even before the latest wave of scandals. (AFP)

Russia probe 'greatest witch hunt' in American political history: Trump

The leaders of the US Senate Intelligence Committee jointly pledged on Wednesday that their investigation of Russian hacking of the 2016 US&nbsp;election campaign would be bipartisan, a sharp contrast to bitter partisan disagreements surrounding a similar investigation in the House of Representatives.

Senator Richard Burr, the committee&#39;s Republican chairman who served as a security adviser to President Donald Trump&#39;s campaign, told reporters he has not coordinated with the White House on the scope of the investigation.

Burr declined to go along at this point with the White House&#39;s denial of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian hackers, who US&nbsp;intelligence officials believe sought to influence the election for the Republican Trump at the expense of his Democratic challenger, Hillary Clinton.

&quot;We would be crazy to dry to draw conclusions from where we are in the investigation,&quot; Burr said at a joint news conference with Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the intelligence panel.

&quot;Let us go a little deeper into this before you ask us to write the conclusions,&quot; Burr said. &quot;That`s clearly something we intend to do down the road.&quot;

Both senators said their challenge is to answer for the American people whether there was anything in the investigation suggesting a direct link to Trump.

Warner and Burr both stressed the importance of exposing the activity of Russian hackers, which Warner said included about 1,000 &quot;paid Internet trolls&quot; who spread false negative news reports about Clinton.

The two senators said they also wanted to publicise what they described as Russia&#39;s attempts to influence upcoming elections in France and Germany.

Allegations by US&nbsp;intelligence agencies that Russian actors sought to boost Trump have lingered over Trump&#39;s young presidency. Trump dismisses such assertions and Russia denies the allegations.

(Reuters)

Allegations by US?intelligence agencies that Russian actors sought to boost Trump have lingered over Trump's young presidency

The leaders of the US Senate Intelligence Committee jointly pledged on Wednesday that their investigation of Russian hacking of the 2016 US election campaign would be bipartisan, a sharp contrast to bitter partisan disagreements surrounding a similar investigation in the House of Representatives. Senator Richard Burr, the committee's Republican chairman who served as a security adviser to President Donald Trump's campaign, told reporters he has not coordinated with the White House on the scope of the investigation. Burr declined to go along at this point with the White House's denial of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian hackers, who US intelligence officials believe sought to influence the election for the Republican Trump at the expense of his Democratic challenger, Hillary Clinton. "We would be crazy to dry to draw conclusions from where we are in the investigation," Burr said at a joint news conference with Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the intelligence panel. "Let us go a little deeper into this before you ask us to write the conclusions," Burr said. "That`s clearly something we intend to do down the road." Both senators said their challenge is to answer for the American people whether there was anything in the investigation suggesting a direct link to Trump. Warner and Burr both stressed the importance of exposing the activity of Russian hackers, which Warner said included about 1,000 "paid Internet trolls" who spread false negative news reports about Clinton. The two senators said they also wanted to publicise what they described as Russia's attempts to influence upcoming elections in France and Germany. Allegations by US intelligence agencies that Russian actors sought to boost Trump have lingered over Trump's young presidency. Trump dismisses such assertions and Russia denies the allegations. (Reuters)

US Senate intelligence leaders pledge bipartisan Russia probe