A former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee warned Friday against Congress giving former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn immunity in exchange for testimony, saying he is concerned it could get in the way of an ongoing FBI investigation.
Responding to a report in The Wall Street Journal that Mr. Flynn has offered to testify before Congress and the FBI about Russia meddling in the election, Mike Rogers, a Republican who represented Michigan in Congress, said he would be concerned about getting in the way of the FBI probe into Russia interference in the election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign.
’I just think that you are going to work at cross purposes as to what is probably already a difficult job for the FBI,” Mr. Rogers said on CNN’s “New Day.” “So I would not come out and offer that immunity. … I think you have to let the FBI have the first run at this.”
Robert Kelner, Mr. Flynn’s lawyer, said in a statement that Mr. Flynn “has a story to tell, and he very much wants to tell it, should the circumstances permit.”
“No reasonable person who has the benefit of advice from counsel would submit to questioning in such a highly politicized witch hunt environment without assurances against unfair prosecution,” Mr. Kelner said.
Congress has not granted the request.
SEE ALSO: Michael Flynn seeks immunity, wants to talk with Congress
Mr. Flynn resigned after coming under fire for his contacts with Russian officials.
He won the national security adviser spot at the White House after serving as a loyal surrogate for Mr. Trump during the 2016 campaign, where he emerged as a vocal critic of Hillary Clinton, arguing at one point that those that sought immunity in exchange for testimony about the former secretary of state’s dealings was a likely a sign of guilt.
“When you are given immunity, that means that you probably committed a crime,” he said in September on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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