A) The calls between Flynn/Kislyak were important in the fed probe of those close to Trump/Moscow. The transcripts sent today to Sens Grassley/Johnson detail 5 calls from December 2016 as Flynn was about to become Trump's National Security Adviser
B) In late '16, Obama retaliated against Moscow’s efforts for trying to meddle in the election expelling Russian diplomats. Flynn tells Kislyak that if Russia must respond to the expulsions, “make it reciprocol.” Flynn says he doesn’t want it to “escalate.”
C) Kislyak responds that quote..“you might appreciate the sentiments that are raging now in Moscow.” Flynn cautions Kislyak that neither country should try “be the tough guy here” and that “we need cool heads to prevail.”
D) DNI Ratcliffe sent the transcripts to GOP Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley and Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson. Lawmakers wanted the transcripts to understand the Flynn prosecution
E) Ron Johnson says he publicized the transcripts “because the American people have a right to know what did and did not occur” – noting that “for took long the investigation of Lt. General Flynn and others has been fueled by pernicious leaks, likely for political purposes.”
F) There are also questions about a spate of efforts to reveal the identities of those speaking on phone calls – known in the intelligence community as “unmasking.”
G) The Flynn-Kislyak transcripts set the stage for next week’s Senate investigations into the FBI investigation into whether there were ties between the Trump campaign and Moscow.
H) Former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein testifies before a Senate panel Wednesday. And two committees could vote to for subpoenas. Among those targeted: Comey, Clapper and former National Security Adviser Susan Rice.
