House

Schiff calls on Flynn to testify before House Intelligence Committee

by Olivia Beavers - 12/18/18 2:54 PM ET

The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee called on Michael Flynn to testify after the former national security adviser asked a federal judge to postpone his sentencing until he fully cooperates with investigators.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who is poised to lead the intel panel starting next month, said Tuesday that it is important for Flynn to cooperate with federal prosecutors as well as his committee.

“After the judge acknowledged the seriousness of Flynn’s conduct, he has allowed Trump’s former National Security Advisor to defer sentencing until after he has fully cooperated with the government,” Schiff wrote on Twitter. “It will be important that Flynn also cooperate with our Committee and testify.”

After the judge acknowledged the seriousness of Flynn’s conduct, he has allowed Trump’s former National Security Advisor to defer sentencing until after he has fully cooperated with the government.

It will be important that Flynn also cooperate with our Committee and testify.

— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) December 18, 2018

Flynn, who pleaded guilty last year to lying to FBI agents about his contacts with a Russian ambassador, made the unexpected request on Tuesday to postpone his sentencing after U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan blasted Flynn for his actions while serving as a top White House administration official.

“This is a very serious offense — a high-ranking senior official of the government making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation while on the physical premises of the White House,” Sullivan said in court Tuesday.

{mosads}Flynn is one of the many witnesses Schiff is hoping to bring in for congressional testimony next year when House Democrats wield committee gavels.

Schiff has also expressed interest in talking to Michael Cohen, the president’s former personal lawyer who later began cooperating with federal investigators.

“We’re already in touch with his counsel. We hope to bring him back,” Schiff told CBS News over the weekend.

Earlier this week, Trump lashed out at Cohen over social media calling him a “rat” — an attack that came just days after Cohen was sentenced to prison for three years.

He pleaded guilty to several federal crimes, including tax fraud, bank fraud and campaign finance law violations that he said he carried out at the president’s direction.

While both Flynn and Cohen have cooperated with investigators, Flynn has managed to avoid the president’s ire.

“Good luck today in court to General Michael Flynn. Will be interesting to see what he has to say, despite tremendous pressure being put on him, about Russian Collusion in our great and, obviously, highly successful political campaign. There was no Collusion!” Trump tweeted early Tuesday.

Tags Adam Schiff