Michael Flynn just pleaded guilty in special counsel’s Russia investigation

Flynnter is coming. No Images? Click here         Former Trump Adviser Michael Flynn Pleads Guilty In Special Counsel’s Russia Investigation​ President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser pleaded guilty Friday morning to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian government, an extraordinary development in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Michael Flynn was charged with one count of making a false statement to FBI agents and appeared in federal court in D.C. Considering all of the additional charges Flynn could have faced in connection with his overseas dealings, the fact that he is facing only one charge is an indication that Flynn is offering significant cooperation and information that could further Mueller’s investigation. The Associated Press and Washington Post reported Friday that Flynn admitted in his plea that he spoke to the Russians at the direction of Trump transition team officials. White House lawyer Ty Cobb, nevertheless, tried his best to spin and downplay Flynn’s plea Friday, by saying he wasn’t national security adviser for very long, and he was an “Obama administration official.” READ MORE     WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING? Michael Flynn’s guilty plea pulls Vice President Mike Pence closer to the Russia spotlight. When Flynn, Trump’s original national security adviser and longtime campaign aide, was fired just three weeks after the president took office, the purported reason was that Flynn had lied to Pence about his contacts with Russia during the transition ― a transition led by Pence himself. READ MORE Rep. Blake Farenthold used $84,000 in taxpayer money to settle a sexual harassment claim, according to Politico. In an interview Friday, House Speaker Paul Ryan said he is reviewing whether the taxpayer-funded settlements should stay secret.  READ MORE Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Friday that it was “laughable” to think the White House could soon replace him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo. Tensions between President Donald Trump and Tillerson have been rising for months. READ MORE    .     ICYMI Trump's anti-Muslim tweets this week did more to enrage Clinton voters than to fire up his own base.   President Donald Trump seized on the verdict of the Kate Steinle case to push for a Mexican border wall.    Small businesses are an afterthought in the Senate tax fight, as the GOP squabbles over relative tax benefits for the richest companies.    . Want more?  EWW! White House Has A Problem With Cockroaches, Ants And Mice James Comey Basks In The Glow Of Michael Flynn’s Downfall Paul Ryan Struggles To Explain Why Trump Shouldn’t Have To Resign Over Sexual Misconduct Claims     How will Trump’s administration impact you? Sign up for our email and find out. Did a friend send you this? Subscribe here. Like what you see? Share it. Want more? Here are two other newsletters you'll love: The Morning Email and Must Reads. ©2017 HuffPost | 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 You are receiving this email because you signed up for updates from HuffPost Feedback | Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe    . - - Preferences  |  Unsubscribe