Former national security adviser Michael Flynn could add value to special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian collusion should he decide to cooperate with the prosecution, Rep. Adam Schiff said Tuesday.
"He had his own interactions with the Russians," the California Democrat told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program, pointing out that there is a reported meeting between President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, Flynn, and the Russian ambassador where they were setting up a secret back channel to communicate with Russians.
"He could shed a lot of light on that and other interactions that may not be publicly known," said Schiff. "Of course, any discussions with the Russians over a quid pro quo or sanctions that would be of deep interest to the special counsel."
At one point, Schiff said, Flynn asked for immunity in a public way, but that has not been pursued, perhaps because it most likely have been rejected.
"Whether he made that request to Bob Mueller early in the process, we don't know," said Schiff. "I think it's significant that they know who opted out of the joint defense agreement. That says to me this is coming to a critical point where he's either going to face indictment or a plea, and there's an interest, at least, in a negotiated resolution that might include cooperation. I think that's a key development. It means something is probably close to happening in that case."
However, Schiff, a former prosecutor, said there have been no public signs that Flynn is taking steps toward cooperating, except for the news that his attorneys have stopped working with White House lawyers.
"But then, at the same time, you saw through the pardoning of [Sheriff] Joe Arpaio, 'stick with me and I'll have your back,'" said Schiff. "The Arpaio case hadn't reached sentencing yet. This at least gives the appearance he may be cooperating."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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