The six Democrats, led by House Oversight Committee ranking member Elijah Cummings of Maryland, are asking the Pentagon to turn over a number of documents so they can investigate the issue. | AP Photo House Dems to investigate Flynn’s Russia speaking gig

Top House Democrats are launching their own investigation into whether President Donald Trump’s national security adviser violated the Constitution when he accepted a paid speaking gig in Russia after retiring from the military.

The ranking Democrats on six House committees are asking the Pentagon to determine whether the adviser, Mike Flynn, violated the Constitution’s emoluments clause when he was paid to speak at an event in Moscow celebrating the Russian-funded news outlet RT.


The emoluments clause bars government officials from accepting gifts or payments from foreign governments.

Flynn retired from the Army in 2014 as a three-star general. The House Democrats, though, are pointing to Defense Department guidance that warns retired military officers that they are still subject to the emoluments clause even after they leave the military because “they are subject to recall.”

The six Democrats, led by House Oversight Committee ranking member Elijah Cummings of Maryland, are asking the Pentagon to turn over a number of documents so they can investigate the issue, including any possible “efforts by General Flynn to seek permission or approval for the direct or indirect receipt of payments from any foreign source.”

“It is extremely concerning that General Flynn chose to accept payment for appearing at a gala hosted by the propaganda arm of the Russian government, which attacked the United States in an effort to undermine our election, according to U.S. intelligence agencies,” the Democrats said in their letter to Defense Secretary James Mattis. “Even more concerning is that General Flynn, who President Trump has now chosen to be his National Security Advisor, may have violated the Constitution in the process.”

After retiring from the military, Flynn made a number of appearances on RT, which the U.S. intelligence community considers a Russian propaganda outlet. And in 2015, he attended a gala honoring RT and was photographed sitting at a table with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Flynn acknowledged in an August interview with The Washington Post being paid to speak at the RT event.

At the White House, Press Secretary Sean Spicer said it was a common practice for retired military officers to give paid speeches.

“Gen. Flynn, like I think probably countless if not hundreds of retired flag officers, joined a speaking bureau and has given speeches at various places,” Spicer told reporters. “I think that is something that is kept in practice, and the Department of Defense is the appropriate place for them to review it.”

Asked whether the department would conduct such a review, Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis said, “As with all Congressional correspondence, we will respond.”

The probe coincides with larger investigations being conducted by the House and Senate Intelligence Committees into Russia’s meddling in November’s presidential election — inquiries that will delve into allegations of contacts between Moscow and the Trump campaign.