Pentagon Threaten's Trump's Wall of Legal Immunity by Investigating Flynn's (Military) Crimes

[McCamy Taylor]

Huge story. Surprised it isn't getting more discussion here.

Trump thinks he can not be touched. His appointed Attorney General, perjurer Jeff Sessions controls the DOJ, which means Trump can quash any attempt to prosecute him or members of his political team who might be persuaded to testify against him in exchange for immunity. And Congress is firmly under the control of Republicans who would not investigate one of their own even if they were not afraid of Russian blackmail. The press can publish damning information and the public can protest until they are blue in the face, but with the Department of Justice and Congress in his pocket, Trump is untouchable, like a Mafia mob boss---

Or so he thought. But now, the Pentagon has stepped in. Turns out the Flynn violated military law when he accepted money from a foreign country.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/04/27/top-pentagon-watchdog-launches-investigation-into-money-that-mike-flynn-received-from-foreign-groups/?utm_term=.64ebd927a527

The Pentagon’s top watchdog has launched an investigation into money that former national security adviser and retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn received from foreign groups and whether he failed to obtain proper approval to do so, lawmakers and defense officials said Thursday.

The Pentagon has in the past advised retiring officers that because they can be recalled to military service, they are subject to the Constitution’s rarely enforced emoluments clause, which prohibits top officials from receiving payments or favors from foreign governments.

On Thursday, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (Md.), the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, released an Oct. 8, 2014, letter in which a Defense Department lawyer warned Flynn upon his retirement from military service that he was forbidden from receiving payments from foreign sources without receiving permission from the U.S. government first.

Flynn received $45,000 to appear in 2015 with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a gala dinner for RT, a Kremlin-controlled media organization. He also worked as a foreign agent representing Turkish interests for a Netherlands-based company, Inovo BV, which paid his company $530,000 in the fall.

This begs the question, if Flynn is prosecuted by the military, can Trump pardon him in advance the way Ford pardoned Nixon? Maybe not. Here is a link about presidential pardons for those convicted of military crimes. If I read this correctly, such a pardon can be considered only after conviction---the president can not step in to pardon in order to stop a military investigation.

http://militarylawdefense.com/practice-areas/presidential-pardon-for-federalmilitary-conviction/

Recall recent revelations that "Deep Throat", Woodward and Bernstein's secret source was more than a single individual, and their group of sources included members of the U.S. military who had a bone to pick with Richard Nixon. And now try to imagine how unhappy career military officers who vow to defend the Constitution must be at having to support a POTUS who treats the Constitution like TP--and who is a traitor to boot.

Today, Sean "Melissa" Spicer responded to news of this investigation by claiming it was all Obama's fault. That will keep the (not too bright) Trump base happy for a while. But if the military decides that this is a court martial and strip of rank offense, even the base will have to sit up and take notice. And Trump may find his wall of immunity crumbling around him, before he can get around to building his Border Wall.

Will Trump respond the way he usually does, by declaring the Pentagon an "enemy of the state"? Maybe his friends in the defense industry can offer high ranking military officers high paying post-retirement jobs in exchange for quashing the investigation. Given how many leaks have come out of this White House, such efforts will inevitably be uncovered by the press, proving the truism "It isn't the crime, it's the cover-up." But when Trump is cornered, expect him to act like a cornered rat.

Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to compare Trump to a rat. Rat's are very intelligent, civilized creatures.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

1. I love that picture and ITA w/you about rats!

But I'm afraid to get my hopes up that Flynn will ever be held to account by anyone.

[Sculpin Beauregard]

2. Interesting! I never thought of a court martial

for Flynn, but anything that hurts T and admin from obstructing justice and trying to pull fast ones is a good thing.

[Wellstone ruled]

3. Heard he was worried about losing his Pension.

This will be interesting to follow.

[lindysalsagal]

4. His pension is peanuts compaired to the foreign payoffs.

He's worried about jail.

[Wellstone ruled]

6. Oh yes,

That is part two of his worries. He and his Son are up to their Eyeballs in this thing. Going to get mighty interesting along about June.

[MedusaX]

5. Flynn was warned in 2014 ... yet he chose to

Accept money from foreign govts w/o seeking approval first

Then he committed a felony by failing to disclose relevant required information on his Security Clearance Reneal Application

Then he violated the law again by discussing /offering the reduction of sanctions w/ agent of foreign govt...while still a private citizen who had not yet been installed in the National Security position

Then he lobbied for the extradition of a person ..which was desired by a foreign country... that was paying Flynn to act as their agent..
but he was now Also acting on behalf of US National Security

Then he attempted to keep the cover up of his Felony acts going by failing to disclose foreign monies earned acting as a foreign agent (which he was not registered as nor had approval to accept $$ for) on his Personal Income Disclosure Forms...

I doubt that the Pentagon will roll over and take it in the ass as a favor to 45...

[Ilsa]

7. Flynn is the current poster boy for

emotionally-charged bad judgment. He knew better, he knew his pension, possibly his freedom, were at stake. But he had to turn himself into a tool for the russians because of his hatred for ISIS, Obama, HRC, etc.

Screw him. Lock him up. Use his pension to fund Meals on Wheels.

BTW, the first apostrophe isn't needed. Thanks for the OP.

[2naSalit]

8. They can get Flynn on those

military misconduct charges but what about the others?