Blumenthal, Shaheen Reiterate Call for Review of Flynn's Security Clearance

Press Release

U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), both members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo today requesting a review of National Security Advisor Michael Flynn's security clearance. Today's request follows news reports that Flynn discussed U.S. sanctions policy with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak prior to President Trump's inauguration.

"Recent reports that Flynn spoke with the Russian ambassador regarding U.S. sanctions on Russian persons and interests prior to President Trump taking office creates significant national security concerns," Blumenthal and Shaheen wrote. "This disclosure highlights just one in a series of decisions made by Flynn both during his military service and as a private citizen that give rise to questions concerning his suitability for continued access to classified information. Given these troubling revelations, a review of the clearance provided to Flynn is necessary to ensure the continued integrity of your respective clearance adjudication standards."

The Senators made a similar request in December, referencing 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 to Russia to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Russian government's propaganda arm, Russia Today. In a letter to the nation's top intelligence officials, the Senators wrote that 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."

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