REPORT: Jared Kushner ordered Flynn to contact Russian officials
Kushner is ID'd as 'senior member' who instructed him to contact Russians
Kushner is ID'd as 'senior member' who instructed him to contact Russians
On Friday, former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI concerning his contact with Russia.
In a statement of offense, Flynn reported that he was “directed” by a “very senior member of the Presidential Transition Team” that he should “contact officials from foreign governments, including Russia.”
According to two people familiar with the matter, that “senior member” was Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, who has already come under fire for not disclosing connections and meetings with Russians, according to NBC News.
JUST IN: Special Counsel Mueller releases statement of offense against Michael Flynn https://t.co/Yh6lBZBWg7 (1/2) pic.twitter.com/eL20PYKIf0
— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 1, 2017
Flynn has entered into a plea deal, which suggests that he could have information crucial to the continuing investigation into the influence that Russia had over the 2016 election and the role played by the Trump campaign.
According to Brian Ross, ABC News chief investigative correspondent, Flynn said that he is “distraught” about his decisions and feels he’s “doing the right thing for his country.”
Flynn’s testimony could be potentially devastating to those closest to Trump, who have long been under scrutiny for ties to Russia. In particular, Donald Trump Jr. and Kushner have been blasted for failing to disclose a meeting with a Russian lawyer during the campaign. If it is proven that Kushner directed this contact with Russia through Flynn, the Trump camp is in real trouble.
