Advertisements

As the Trump administration continues to deny that they colluded with Russia, former national security adviser Mike Flynn will decline a subpoena from the Senate Intelligence Committee and invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

The AP reported:

BREAKING: AP Source says Michael Flynn to decline Senate Intel committee subpoena, invoke 5th Amendment later today. — AP Politics (@AP_Politics) May 22, 2017

Advertisements

In case anyone needs a constitutional refresher, the Fifth Amendment states, “No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”

By invoking his Fifth Amendment rights, Flynn is saying that he won’t testify because his testimony would be self-incriminating. While invoking the Fifth Amendment is not a presumption of guilt, it sure doesn’t look good for an administration that claims that they did nothing wrong with Russia during the campaign for one of the central figures in the scandal to refuse to testify because his testimony would be self-incriminating.

Mike Flynn wants immunity. So far, no one has been willing to grant him immunity in exchange for his testimony. Flynn won’t get immunity if investigators have any other way of getting the information besides talking to the former national security adviser, but something will eventually give.

Trump is whistling through the graveyard at midnight, but with each passing moment, the Russia scandal is closing in on him.