Defense

Obama warned Trump not to hire Flynn: reports

by John Bowden - 05/08/17 11:28 AM ET

Former President Obama warned President Trump against hiring Michael Flynn at a White House meeting last November, according to multiple reports.

The reports come as former acting Attorney General Sally Yates is set to testify Monday about concerns she raised to the Trump administration about the former national security adviser’s contact with Russia’s ambassador.

Three former officials from the Obama administration told NBC that Trump and Obama discussed Flynn’s role at a Nov. 10 meeting at the White House, just after Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.

{mosads}It was during that conversation that Obama reportedly warned Trump against hiring Flynn as his national security adviser.

In recent weeks, Trump has been blaming the Obama administration for failing to properly vet Flynn. On Monday, he tweeted that the “fake news” media rarely reports that Obama gave Flynn “the highest security clearance.”

Obama fired Flynn from his job leading the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2014, but kept an active security clearance, which was re-issued by the Trump administration in January. Flynn was a prominent critic of both Obama and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton during the 2016 campaign.

Trump did eventually hire Flynn, who resigned in February after reports emerged that he has misled senior White House officials, including Vice President Mike Pence, about his contacts with Russia.

Flynn, who could face legal issues after failing to disclose income he received from Russia and Turkey, is now seeking an immunity deal before testifying. Flynn’s attorney has said that he “certainly has a story to tell.”