Blumenthal, Shaheen Call on Top Intelligence Officials to Review Security Clearance Given Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn

Press Release

U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) sent a letter to the nation's top intelligence officials to ask that they review the security clearance given to retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, who has been selected by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as national security advisor. The letter, sent to U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Acting Director Beth Cobert, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey, and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, says that Gen. Flynn's "conduct in positions that require access to national defense information, and his subsequent private practice, appears inconsistent with the professionalism such access requires."

In their letter, Blumenthal and Shaheen draw attention to Gen. Flynn's reported record of mishandling classified intelligence, as first reported in the New Yorker, and his conduct following his military service, including a paid trip Gen. Flynn made to Russia to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Russian government's propaganda arm, Russia Today.

Blumenthal and Shaheen also highlighted potential conflict of interests related to Gen. Flynn's ownership of the Flynn Intel Group, which was previously registered to lobby on behalf of foreign clients. The Senators write, "This ongoing business relationship of Flynn Intel Group, owned by General Flynn and operated by his son, creates the potential for pressure, coercion, and exploitation by foreign agents. In addition, any share of partnership profits he obtains from the Flynn Intel Group that are derived from its representation of a foreign government would appear to be a violation of his obligation as a retired general to abide by the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution."

Source