Top Intel Dem: ‘A grave and momentous step’ for Flynn to request immunity

The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee said Friday that it was a “grave and momentous step” for former national security adviser Michael Flynn to request immunity in exchange for testifying before the panel on President Trump’s campaign’s potential ties to Russia.

Rep. Adam Schiff (Calif.) acknowledged the Thursday offer from Flynn’s lawyer in a statement, but said, “We should first acknowledge what a grave and momentous step it is for a former National Security Advisor to the President of the United States to ask for immunity from prosecution.”

“We will be discussing the matter with our counterparts on the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Department of Justice,” Schiff said, adding that while Flynn’s testimony was “of great interest” to his panel, it would consult the Department of Justice.

{mosads}The offer from Flynn’s lawyer that he would be willing to testify before the House and Senate Intelligence panels to avoid “unfair prosecution” drew attention Thursday given his past comments on those seeking immunity. 

Flynn commented last September around the time of reports that aides of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton had been granted immunity to talk freely to the FBI amid its probe into her use of a private email server while secretary of State.

“When you are given immunity, that means you probably committed a crime,” Flynn, who at the time was a top aide on Trump’s campaign team, said on “Meet the Press.”

Flynn’s attorney, Robert Kelner, argued Thursday that “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.”

The House and Senate panels investigating ties between Trump campaign associates and Russia during last year’s presidential election have thus far not accepted Flynn’s offer.