A former top official in the CIA and Defense Department describes the Trump White House as a "runaway train," saying "criminal liability" from the 2016 presidential election could extend "all the way to the top."

"The image I have in my head of the White House is a runaway train," Jeremy Bash, a former CIA and Defense Department chief of staff in the Obama administration, said in an interview with MSNBC anchor Brian Williams Thursday night, after former national security adviser Michael Flynn offered to testify in ongoing Russia probes in exchange for immunity.

He added that Justice Department officials would have to weigh whether Flynn's testimony would warrant protection from prosecution.

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"For the Justice Department to agree to give somebody like him immunity it means they want him to turn and testify against someone higher up in the food chain," Bash said.

"Who is higher up in the food chain, higher than the national security adviser? There's really only one person. And so this shows that the jeopardy of criminal liability actually extends all the way to the top."

Flynn stepped down from his White House post last month after it was revealed that he discussed U.S. sanctions with Russia's ambassador before President Trump took office and that he misled top officials, including Vice President Pence, about the conversations.

He officially registered as a foreign agent earlier this month amid revelations that he had done lobbying work that ultimately benefitted the Turkish government.

Flynn's lawyer confirmed Thursday night that his client had spoken to members of the Senate and House Intelligence committees and that he would be willing to be formally interviewed by the panels "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," attorney Robert Kelner said in a statement.