Revelations that former national security adviser Mike Flynn may have broken the law by earning or accepting money from foreign sources without getting prior approval from the Department of Defense puts him back in the center of the ongoing investigations into Russian influence in the 2016 elections.
To help understand the controversy around Flynn, here is a partial timeline illustrating some of the key points and dates that will figure into the investigations as they proceed.
August 2014: Flynn’s Army career ends
Flynn begins service in the Army in 1981, rising to the rank of lieutenant general and getting assigned to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in 2011 under former President Barack Obama. He retires in August 2014 on poor terms with the Obama administration. Democrats say he was fired.
As a retired Army officer, Flynn can only accept payments like salary or gifts from foreign entities with advance approval from the Department of Defense because of the so-called “emoluments clause” in the Constitution. “Emoluments” are essentially payments, and the emoluments clause was intended to remove the potential for public servants to be corrupted by foreign governments or to financially benefit because of their service.
Fall 2014: Flynn seeks guidance on ethics restrictions
After his retirement in August 2014 and October of that year, Flynn asks the Defense Intelligence Agency for an outline of the ethics restrictions that applied to him because of his service in the Army.
On Oct. 8, 2014, the DIA sends a letter to Flynn, which says in part, “Accordingly, if you are ever in a position where you would receive and emolument from a foreign government or from an entity that might be controlled by a foreign government, be sure to obtain advance approval from the Army prior to acceptance.”
Dec. 10, 2015: Trip to Russia
Flynn attends a gala in Moscow during which he dined at the table of Russian President Vladimir Putin and interviewed with Russia Today, a state-sponsored television station of the Russian government. For his appearance and interview, Flynn was paid $45,000 through his speaker’s bureau.
Nov. 18, 2016: Trump’s national security adviser
Flynn accepts an offer from President-elect Trump to act as national security adviser.
Dec. 29, 2016: Obama administration sanctions Russia
The Obama administration announces sanctions on Russia for attempting to influence aspects of the 2016 elections.
On the same day, Flynn speaks with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak about the sanctions. The conversation may have violated the Logan Act, which forbids citizens who have no appointment or authority from the federal government from negotiating with foreign powers.
Jan. 15, 2017: The Pence interview
Vice President Mike Pence appears on CBS’ “Face the Nation” and says Flynn’s conversations with Kislyak had nothing to do with the sanctions imposed by the Obama administration.
Feb. 9, 2017: Washington Post contradicts
The Washington Post reports that Flynn’s conversation with Kislyak in December did, in fact, discuss Russian sanctions, contrary to prior assertions by Flynn and Pence.
Feb. 13, 2017: Resignation
Flynn submits his resignation as national security adviser, but in effect is fired by Trump.
March 30, 2017: Immunity
The Wall Street Journal reports that Flynn and his attorneys reached out to both the House and Senate intelligence committees, and volunteered Flynn’s testimony on the condition of immunity from any prosecution.
April 25, 2017: House Oversight Committee announcement
House Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz and ranking Democrat Elijah Cummings announce that they are unable to find any documentation showing Flynn sought approval for his foreign government earnings, or that he reported them to the Defense Intelligence Agency.
April 27, 2017: DIA warning
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee push further and release letters that show the Defense Intelligence Agency warning Flynn in 2014 he must get approval in advance before accepting any foreign income.
