February 14, 2017

How long before Trump is "Out Like Flynn?"

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-newsnow-flynn-idUSKBN15T1GE

Tuesday Morning Briefing: Out like Flynn

Digits of the day: 24 - That's the number of days into the Trump administration before the first top-level resignation. The person was Michael Flynn. The post was national security adviser. And the reason was that he discussed U.S. sanctions with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump took office – this after promising otherwise to Vice President Mike Pence. Such contacts could run afoul of the Logan Act, which bans private citizens from engaging in foreign policy.

Here are some remaining questions:

- Are Flynn's contacts with Russian officials the reason President Vladimir Putin declined to retaliate when the United States imposed additional sanctions on Russia in the waning days of the Obama administration?

- Did Flynn act alone, or did someone higher up in Trump's circle instruct or authorize, tacitly or otherwise, these interactions?