Democrats just sent letter urging an investigation into Michael Flynn's ties to Russia [View all]

[Bill USA]

Last edited Wed Feb 1, 2017, 09:38 PM - Edit history (2)

http://www.businessinsider.com/democrats-michael-flynn-russia-today-2017-2

Top Democratic lawmakers are calling on the Defense Department to investigate whether President Donald Trump's national security adviser, Michael Flynn, ran afoul of the US Constitution by being paid to speak at a gala in Moscow celebrating the 10th anniversary of state-sponsored news agency Russia Today.

Democratic Reps. Elijah Cummings, Adam Smith, John Conyers, Jr., Bennie Thompson, Adam Schiff, and Eliot Engel wrote a letter to Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis on Wednesday requesting that the Defense Department "conduct a review of a potentially serious violation of the Emoluments Clause" of the Constitution by Flynn.

"Since his retirement in 2014, General Flynn has made regular appearances on Russia Today (RT), that country's state-sponsored propaganda outlet," the lawmakers wrote. "He has admitted to being paid on at least one of these occasions — at an RT gala in Moscow where he dined with Russian President Vladimir Putin."

Flynn told The Washington Post last year that he had been paid to speak at the event, but would not disclose the amount.

The Emoluments Clause deals with conflicts of interest that might arise by accepting gifts or payments from a foreign country. It has been cited by critics of President Trump's refusal to sell off his businesses, which operate in four continents and nearly two dozen countries.

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