WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, which includes U.S.-Russia policy, and U.S. Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.), member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statements on Friday in response to bombshell revelations that National Security Advisor Michael Flynn discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak prior to President Trump’s inauguration. The revelations raise serious questions of legality and whether the Trump administration promised the Russian government that sanctions imposed by the Obama administration would be lessened.
“There is no good way to explain today's report that Michael Flynn was coordinating sanctions relief for Russia before his boss was inaugurated. Either Donald Trump directed his National Security Adviser to undermine U.S. foreign policy on Russia, or Michael Flynn went rogue and did it on his own. Then he either lied to the Vice President or the Vice President went on television to lie to the American people. Whatever transpired, the President needs to get his White House under control,” said Murphy. “I’m glad the FBI is continuing its investigation, because these troubling reports raise more red flags about the administration’s intentions and integrity.”
Markey said, “News reports of General Flynn’s conversations with President Vladimir Putin’s ambassador to Washington prior to President Trump’s swearing-in are extremely troubling. That General Flynn may have misled the Vice President of the United States and others raises the most serious questions about his ability to continue serving as National Security Advisor. I hope federal law enforcement professionals investigate this matter immediately. Any effort to undermine our nation’s foreign policy – even during a transition period – may be illegal and must be taken seriously.”
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