Serious DRAMA today in federal court... for what was supposed to be General Flynn's sentencing. Instead, sparks flew and we'll have to wait a few more months. Here are observations from inside the courtroom. /1
There are more than a dozen Flynn family members and friends in the court room. Before the hearing, their mood was somewhat jovial. People were smiling and chatting. When Flynn walked into the courtroom, he greeted his family members with a smile, saying “you made it!” /2
But the mood visibly shifted as the hearing progressed and things got much more serious. Specifically when judge admonished Flynn for lying and said, “arguably you sold your country out” and brought up questions of treason. /3
In those tense moments, two of Flynn’s sisters sat with their fingers pressed upon their lips. Another member of the Flynn party tensely leaned forward to hear the answers when the judge asked prosecutors about whether Flynn’s actions were treasonous. /4
Flynn's lawyers affirmed to the court that he was not withdrawing his plea, there was no FBI misconduct In the case and that he was not entrapped. As this unfolded, there was no reaction from members of the Flynn family, some of whom publicly embraced these unfounded claims. /5
Michael Flynn Jr. was in the courtroom for his father's hearing today, wearing a blue suit and red tie. CNN previously reported that one of the reason Flynn Sr. pleaded guilty in the first place was out of concern for his son's legal exposure. /6 cnn.com/2017/11/08/pol…
In fact, indictments against two people who worked with the Flynns. were unsealed yesterday in Virginia federal court. Flynn Sr. cooperated extensively with that case. Flynn Jr. hasn’t been charged with any crimes and is was court today as a spectator only. /7
The Flynn camp had at least one positive moment during the hearing, when Judge Sullivan corrected some of his earlier comments about General Flynn’s work as a foreign agent for the Turkish government. /8
Judge Sullivan had said Flynn worked for Turkey from the White House. He rhetorically asked the room if he needed to adjust his statements about Flynn’s work for Turkey, looking to the lawyers. Several members of the Flynn family loudly answered “yes!” from their seats. /9
Judge Sullivan then officially corrected the record and noted that Flynn’s work for Turkey ended before he joined the Trump administration in 2017. /10
Members of the Flynn family were also nodding their heads when the judge softened some of his earlier comments about treason, saying they were merely questions and not accusations. /11
When the hearing concluded with no final resolution on Flynn’s sentence, members of his family exited the court with stoic looks and slowly filed out. Some had what looked like a thousand-yard stare. It was an emotional hearing. /END
