Vice President Pence said on Thursday that he was “more inclined” to believe that General Michael Flynn lied unintentionally about his contacts with a Russian ambassador, leading to his firing in 2017.
Pence said he was deeply troubled by documents released in Flynn’s federal case, suggesting there was “investigative abuse.”
“I think Gen. Michael Flynn is a patriotic American who served with great distinction in the armed forces,” Pence told reporters. “I’m deeply troubled by the revelations of what appears to have been investigative abuse by officials in the Justice Department and we are going to continue to look into that very carefully.”
Pence evaded a direct answer when asked if Flynn’s firing was appropriate.
“I know what Gen. Flynn told me and I’m more inclined to believe it was unintentional than ever before.”
New documents were released on Wednesday that showed how FBI agents discussed how to handle Flynn’s interview into the Russia investigation.
“What’s our goal? Truth/Admission or to get him to lie, so we can prosecute him or get him fired?” an unnamed FBI agent wrote in a handwritten note included among the documents. “If we get him to admit to breaking the Logan Act, give facts to DOJ & have them decide. Or, if he initially lies, then we present him [redacted] & he admits it, document for DOJ, & let them decide how to address it.”
“If we’re seen as playing games, WH will be furious,” the note reads. “Protect our institution by not playing games.”
Flynn was fired in 2017 as a national security advisor after press reports revealed he discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador after telling Pence that it was not discussed.
See this at The Hill.