Rep. Ilhan Omar dismissed the news that charges against former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn have been dismissed by implying the color of his skin had something to do with it.
“White privilege at work,” the Minnesota Democrat tweeted, citing an Associated Press article reporting on the news in the Flynn case.
White privilege at work. https://t.co/KfqzcvwXiV
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 7, 2020
“The United States of America hereby moves to dismiss with prejudice the criminal information filed against Michael T. Flynn,” U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Timothy Shea said in a 20-page court filing on Thursday afternoon. “The Government has determined, pursuant to the Principles of Federal Prosecution and based on an extensive review and careful consideration of the circumstances, that continued prosecution of this case would not serve the interests of justice.”
The decision to drop charges comes after newly uncovered FBI files suggested Flynn was mistreated by government officials during the investigation that ultimately led to a Flynn guilty plea.
The news drew the ire of prominent Trump critics across the political spectrum, including former FBI Director James Comey, who commented that the Department of Justice has “lost its way.”
The DOJ has lost its way. But, career people: please stay because America needs you. The country is hungry for honest, competent leadership.
— James Comey (@Comey) May 7, 2020
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff called the situation the “worst politicization of the Justice Department in its history.”
Flynn pled guilty to lying to the FBI about his illicit Russian contacts.
His lies do not now become truths.
This dismissal does not exonerate him.
But it does incriminate Bill Barr.
In the worst politicization of the Justice Department in its history.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) May 7, 2020
President Trump welcomed the news, calling Flynn a “great warrior.”
“So, I’m very happy for General Flynn. He was a great warrior, and he still is a great warrior. Now, in my book, he’s an even greater warrior. What happened to him should never happen again,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday.
“He was an innocent man. He is a great gentleman. He was targeted by the Obama administration, and he was targeted in order to try and take down a president. And what they’ve done is a disgrace, and I hope a big price is going to be paid,” Trump added. “A big price should be paid. There’s never been anything like this in the history of our country. What they did, what the Obama administration did is unprecedented. It’s never happened.”
