Letter to the Hon. Jim Mattis, Secretary of Defense and the Hon. Mike Pompeo, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency - Initiate a Review of National Security Advisor Michael Flynn's Suitability for Continued Access to Highly Classified National Security Information

Letter

We write to request that you initiate a review of National Security Advisor Michael Flynn's suitability for continued access to highly classified national security information.

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. 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.

We also remain concerned by Flynn's prior unresolved contacts with Russian President Vladimir Putin. On December 10, 2015, Flynn was paid to attend an event in Moscow celebrating the tenth anniversary of Russia Today, a propaganda arm of the Russian government. Although he has not disclosed how much he received in speaking fees or who paid for the travel expenses, he dined with Putin, just 18 months after leaving his position leading the Defense Intelligence Agency. As a retired general, he is prohibited from receipt of consulting fees, gifts, travel expenses, honoraria, or any kind of salary from a foreign government without Congressional consent.

We thank you in advance for your consideration of our request. Please keep us apprised of any decision regarding the status of National Security Advisor Flynn's security clearance going forward. We look forward to your timely response.

Source