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Michael Flynn Lied During Security Clearance Interview, Top Democrat Says

Michael Flynn Lied During Security Clearance Interview, Top Democrat Says
WASHINGTON, USA - MAY 17: Congressman Elijah Cummings speaks out against President Trumps handling of the firing of James Comey and his alleged attempted influence of the investigations of connections between the Trump Campaign and Russia with other Democratic Congressional Leaders in Washington, United States on May 17, 2017. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, USA - MAY 17: Congressman Elijah Cummings speaks out against President Trumps handling of the firing of James Comey and his alleged attempted influence of the investigations of connections between the Trump Campaign and Russia with other Democratic Congressional Leaders in Washington, United States on May 17, 2017. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn appears to have lied to Pentagon officials about payments he received from Russians when he was interviewed in 2016 for a renewal of his security clearance, according to a document obtained by the top Democrat on the House oversight committee.

In a letter released Monday evening by Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), the congressman details a document that reveals Flynn told investigators he was paid by “U.S. companies” when he traveled to Russia and dined with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“[T]he Oversight Committee has in our possession documents that appear to indicate that General Flynn lied to the investigators who interviewed him in 2016 as part of his security clearance renewal,” Cummings wrote in the letter sent to committee chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah). “Specifically, the Committee has obtained a Report of Investigation dated March 14, 2016, showing that General Flynn told security clearance investigators that he was paid by ‘U.S. companies’ when he traveled to Moscow in December 2015 to dine at a gala with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The actual source of the funds for General Flynn’s trip was not a U.S. company, but the Russian media propaganda arm, RT.”

Cummings urged Chaffetz to subpoena the White House for documents it has related to Flynn.

Cummings’ letter comes just hours after Flynn officially announced he would not comply with a subpoena issued by senators investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

When Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) learned of the document obtained by Cummings from reporters Monday night, her eyes widened.

“He lied?” she said. “I want the document!”

Feinstein then turned to one of her senior aides and said: “I’m looking at you ― produce!”

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), like many Republicans in recent weeks, repeated a familiar refrain, saying that if the latest bombshell about Flynn is true, it’s “obviously a matter of great concern.”

“This whole centipede as I’ve predicted to you on time, after time, after time ― and it’s so boring ― but another shoe dropped and I guarantee there will be more shoes to drop before this is over,” he said, making a snoring sound before getting on an elevator.

This story has been updated to include comments from Feinstein and McCain.

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