Barack Obama 'schemed' with FBI to frame Michael Flynn in Russia probe, claims former NSA's attorney
Sidney Powell, attorney of former National Security Adviser (NSA) General Michael Flynn, has accused the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of plotting to frame Flynn and claimed former president Barack Obama was also a part of the scheme. Flynn was accused of lying to FBI investigators in 2017 about his links with a Russian ambassador under the probe carried out by special counsel Robert Mueller. He initially pleaded guilty but withdrew the plea this January. The justice department said it was dropping the charges last week as Flynn’s legal team suspected FBI's tactics. Flynn was President Donald Trump’s first NSA, but did not last a month in the office.
Speaking on Sunday Morning Futures, Fox, on Sunday, May 10, Powell said: "These agents specifically schemed and planned with each other how to not tip him off, that he was even the person being investigated. They kept him relaxed and unguarded deliberately as part of their effort to set him up and frame him."
Powell also spoke about the recently released testimony about an Oval Office meeting that Obama had with officials, weeks before Flynn was interviewed. Obama allegedly revealed during the meeting that he had knowledge about Flynn’s phone call with then Russian envoy to the US, Sergey Kislyak, which surprised then deputy attorney Sally Yates.
Obama sought to speak to Yates and then FBI director James Comey privately after the meeting and according to the testimony, he "specified that he did not want any additional information on the matter, but was seeking information on whether the White House should be treating Flynn any differently, given the information".
According to Powell, the entire thing was orchestrated. "The whole thing was orchestrated and set up within the FBI, (former Director of National Intelligence James) Clapper, (Former CIA Director John) Brennan, and in the Oval Office meeting that day with President Obama," she said.
Asked if she believes that the former NSA was the victim of a plot that went all the way up to then president, Powell stated: "Absolutely". Obama recently expressed his disappointment with the justice department dropping the charges against Flynn saying the "rule of law is at risk".
The Trump administration has felt happy with the latest developments on the Flynn case with President Trump giving a hint last month that he could consider a presidential pardon and bring the ex-NSA back into his administration. Recently, Vice President Mike Pence also said he would welcome Flynn, 61, back into the administration.
Pence calls Flynn an 'American patriot'
Speaking in an interview with 'Axios on HBO', Pence defended the justice department’s action and said: "For my part, I'd be happy to see Michael Flynn again." He also praised Flynn as an "American patriot" who has served his country with "great distinction". The back-to-back endorsements from the top two in the administration could see Flynn — a retired army lieutenant-general and Trump campaign adviser in 2016 — return to the administration if the court backs him.
The justice department asked a judge to drop criminal charges against Flynn amid growing pressure from Trump and his allies, inviting criticism from the Democrats and others who felt Attorney General William Barr was being biased towards the president and his allies. Meanwhile, Powell told Fox News that she expected US District Judge Emmet Sullivan in Washington to sign off on the justice department’s request as early as this week.