President-elect Trump’s selection of retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn as national security adviser is “a frightening prospect for anyone who values America’s national security,” according to more than 50 groups that sent a letter to the incoming president on Monday.
The letter stated that Flynn’s appointment to the White House’s top national security job will “damage America’s standing in the world and pose a threat to our national security.” It called on Trump to “rescind it immediately.”
“General Flynn has repeatedly made Islamophobic statements and peddled anti-Muslim conspiracy theories,” reads the letter from 53 groups, many of which are left-leaning. “On social media, he shared a blatantly anti-Semitic tweet. General Flynn’s repugnant statements show a lack of respect for the rights and dignity of Muslims and make him unfit for this post.”
The letter is signed by groups including the Center for International Policy, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, the Unitarian Universalist Association and VoteVets.
“Perhaps most alarming, since last summer General Flynn has regularly attended your classified intelligence briefings while also advising foreign governments. He has reportedly leaked classified U.S. intelligence to Pakistan, and his lobbying company, Flynn Intel Group, has ties to Turkish interests close to the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan,” the letter continues.
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., previously slammed Flynn for his views on Russia and Turkey, including his support to extradite Muhammed Fethullah Gulen — who many in Turkey speculate helped organize this year’s coup attempt — back to Turkey where he would face possible prison time.
Retired Adm. Mike Mullen, the former Joint Chiefs chairman, also said last month that Flynn’s comments on the campaign trail make him question whether Flynn still has the temperament to be national security advisor.
