After initially refusing to hand over key documents relevant to the ongoing Russia investigation, fired national security advisor Michael Flynn now appears to be caving in.
According to reporting from the Associated Press, Flynn now says he will hand over some documents to the Senate Intelligence Committee in its investigation into Russia’s interference in last year’s election.
CNN noted on Tuesday that Flynn would provide the first set of documentation by June 6.
More from the AP report:
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Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn will provide some documents to the Senate intelligence committee as part of its probe into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election.
A person close to Flynn says he will turn over documents related to two of his businesses as well as some personal documents the committee requested earlier this month. The person says Flynn plans to produce documents by next week.
Flynn’s decision comes after he invoked his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination in declining an earlier request from the committee. Flynn’s attorneys had argued the earlier request was too broad and would have required Flynn to turn over information that could have been used against him.
Flynn and his lawyers had initially refused to hand over the documents in fear that they would be incriminating, which suggests that there is something in the records that could bring both he and perhaps even the president down.
The fact that he is now caving and will hand over some documents is good news, but it’s not enough. Flynn needs to hand over every last shred of paperwork relevant to this probe, not just a few to give off the impression that he is being transparent.
Flynn, of course, has become one of the central targets, along with Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, in the Russia investigation after lying about and failing to disclose his contacts with Russia.
With more documents to be handed over, this investigation isn’t close to complete.
Sean Colarossi currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was an organizing fellow for both of President Obama’s presidential campaigns. He also worked with Planned Parenthood as an Affordable Care Act Outreach Organizer in 2014, helping northeast Ohio residents obtain health insurance coverage.
