ABC Reporter Challenges Spicer Over Trump’s Tweet: Does POTUS Think Flynn is ‘Guilty of a Crime?’

By Ken MeyerMar 31st, 2017, 3:03 pm
 

During Friday’s White House press briefing, ABC’s Jonathan Karl asked Sean Spicer about why Donald Trump encouraged Gen. Michael Flynn to pursue an immunity deal with the Senate, considering the president’s past statements.

Flynn, a former National Security Adviser to Trump, has offered to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee in exchange for immunity as part of their probe into Russia’s efforts to interfere with the 2016 election. Flynn’s request has prompted intrigue from media figures who noted how he talked about Hillary Clinton‘s aides receiving immunity for their testimony in the past. Flynn’s exact words were “When you are given immunity, that means that you’ve probably committed a crime.”

Trump made similar comments through the 2016 election, and Karl asked Spicer “does the president think that Mike Flynn is guilty of a crime?” Spicer said Trump meant that Flynn should “go testify and do what he has to do to get the story out,” though Karl pressed on with Trump’s past remarks about how “the only reason you ask for immunity is if you’ve committed a crime.”

Spicer insisted Trump was saying that Flynn should take the advice of his legal councilors and do what he must to clarify the record before Congress. Spicer said the media’s “narrative” about Trump’s connections to Russia were the reason why the administration is now encouraging testimony before the House and Senate Intelligence Committees.

Watch above, via ABC.

[image via screengrab]

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