Lewandowski: Flynn’s crimes have nothing to do with Trump

Former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski on Monday argued that any lying to the FBI by the president’s former national security adviser “has nothing to do” with Trump.

Speaking on NBC’s “Today,” Lewandowski sought to downplay the importance of the guilty plea Michael Flynn made Friday on charges he made false statements to the FBI about contacts he had with Russia. 

Lewandowski said Flynn didn’t join the Trump campaign until July, and that his work on national security was separate from the electoral effort.

“He came in July, almost at convention time. What we know is as it relates to the national security component, and specifically when it related to the transition, that entire component was segregated out, and the president and the campaign side really had nothing to do with the national security component,” Lewandowski said.

“So if Mike Flynn was not honest with the FBI, and that’s what he’s been accused of and that’s what he’s pled guilty to, is lying to the FBI, that’s a crime Mike is responsible for and has nothing to do with the president,” he said.

{mosads}Flynn was fired after serving as national security adviser for two weeks. He was a public face for Trump during the campaign, including giving a primetime speech at the Republican convention.

Flynn now is cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russia’s actions in the election, and possible connections between Moscow and Trump.

Trump has insisted there’s no evidence of collusion between his campaign and Russia, and on Saturday lashed out at the FBI.

Lewandowski and former deputy campaign chairman David Bossie appeared on “Today” to promote their new book about the campaign. Bossie agreed with host Savannah Guthrie that it was a “head scratcher” that Flynn would lie about his contact with foreign officials.

“If you’re being questioned by the FBI, just be truthful,” Lewandowski added.