Former national security adviser Michael Flynn on Monday will plead the Fifth Amendment and refuse to hand over documents subpoenaed by the Senate Intelligence Committee, according to news reports.
Flynn will not give the panel documents detailing his interactions with Russian officials as part of the ongoing investigation into possible collusion between Russia and President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign. The former national security adviser stepped down in February after revelations that he had lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his communications with the Russian government.
Monday's news prompted scornful comparisons to Flynn's and other Trump administration officials' own previous remarks mocking those who took the Fifth Amendment.
Flashback to Flynn on @MeetThePress in 2016: "When you're given immunity, that means you probably committed a crime" https://t.co/lWpfGxQrcJ https://t.co/lOGOIjhZpi
— Monica Alba (@albamonica) May 22, 2017
Michael Flynn, call your office. Your buddy has some advice for you. https://t.co/28k2NB4yEK
— April (@ReignOfApril) May 22, 2017
It is perfectly legitimate to ask why someone would take the fifth if they are not guilty - just ask Sean Spicer and Michael Flynn: pic.twitter.com/3dAWMKId16
— A Once Great Nation (@USARedOrchestra) May 22, 2017
The Senate committee reportedly sought documents involving contacts between any Trump campaign associates and Russian officials and businesses—including text messages, emails, letters, phone records, and financial information.
Legal experts anticipated that Flynn was unlikely to hand over any records without immunity, having previously described the investigation as "unfair prosecution."
Last week, Senate Intelligence Committee chair Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) said Flynn was "not cooperating" with the probe and had not given a "definitive answer" on whether he would testify. Both the House and Senate panels investigating the allegations turned down Flynn's offer to testify in exchange for immunity.
