Maybe Flynn was ordered to speak to Russia about sanctions

[dajoki]

I've yet to see anyone who has suggested that Pence and/or Trump told him to do so. To me it seems obvious. And how far back in the campaign has this been going on? I really, really hope that this will be thoroughly investigated by people not beholding to Trump or the rebubs!!

[ALBliberal]

1. I don't understand why he would risk the phone calls surely

he knew the calls could be or would be tapped. I'm having trouble understanding his angle and am starting to wonder whether he was an agreeable stooge that would take a fall for a big payoff in the future.

Seems the Russian Ambassador speaking on the phone like that is strange as well.

[CincyDem]

2. This might be the only reason he hasn't been run out on a rail already.

On this ship of fools (and pirates), do yo think for a moment anyone trusts anyone. Consider, just for a moment, the possibility that ole General Flynn is smarter than his ideology implies. And consider that anyone with a phone has a recording device.

We don't need no stinking office recording system a la Watergate - you think it's possible that Flynn has a recording of someone (most likely Bannon) telling him the president elect would like him to get a message to Russia.

Seriously.

Flynn is a blunt tactical tool. Enrolling Russia in being non-responsive to the explosion of 25+ "diplomats"...that's a strategic move much more in line with Bannon's long game thinking.

I'm not usually into the old conspiracy game but these guys running around the WH really are an "every man (woman) for themselves" kind of gang. It's the only way to survive with a malignant narcissist in charge - always (always, always) cover your ass.

[Blanks]

3. I still think Pence lied...

He thought that they could 'nip it in the bud' when he claimed they (Flynn and his Russian counterpart) didn't discuss sanctions.

I'll bet Pence knew what they talked about.

[dajoki]

8. So do I n/t

[dalton99a]

4. Maybe he was just being an obsequious hot-headed idiot.

[meadowlander]

5. As ex-military, it seems like a strange thing for him to have just taken it into his head to do.

But given what I've read about his personality, he could also just have been blowing hot air to impress the ambassador with his access for some reason.

[anneboleyn]

10. I REALLY doubt that Flynn "just decided" to speak to the Russian ambassador w/treasonous info

Fox is saying that Flynn has "apologized" to Pence for "lying." Of course this all looks ridiculous. If Flynn had decided to do something totally bonkers (w/out orders) like call the Russian ambassador of his own accord, to make promises that he couldn't make if he didn't have any orders from anyone "above," he'd be out on his ass. This shows (imho) that this is a huge disaster -- I find it very hard to believe that Flynn just took them upon himself.

[s-cubed]

6. My 2cents re Flynn

I suspect he is deeply recently of being fired from DNI. That might have been enough to cause him to cozy up to Russia or be groomed by them.

If Flynn is not fired, then either the rest of them (Trump, Pence, McConnell, Bannon, etc) are in on it, or he knows enough to bring them down.

As to the recording, surely he knew about routine recording, but he may have been arrogant enough to think Trump could protect against it coming out. But, Trump has antagonized the whole intelligence community, so that didn't happen.

[dajoki]

9. " he knows enough to bring them down."

That is exactly my thinking.

[StarryNite]

7. I think he was under orders from Trump, Pence, or Bannon.

I cannot believe they were not all in on it.