Overnight Defense: Senate Intel subpoenas Flynn | Latest on Comey | Pentagon moving ‘quickly’ to arm Syrian Kurds | McMaster picks deputy

by Ellen Mitchell - 05/10/17 7:05 PM ET

THE TOPLINE: The Senate Intelligence Committee has issued a subpoena to former national security adviser Michael Flynn for documents related to its investigation into Russian interference in the presidential election, committee leaders announced Wednesday.

The Hill’s Katie Bo Williams has the story:

According to a brief joint statement from chair Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and ranking member Mark Warner (D-Va.), the committee first requested the documents in an April 28 letter to Flynn, but he declined through counsel to cooperate with the request.

{mosads}Flynn had previously offered to testify before the Senate and House intelligence committees — which are both investigating Russian interference in the election — in exchange for immunity, but it does not appear that either committee has accepted the offer.

Click here for more.

DEM DEMANDS OVER COMEY: Following President Trump firing FBI Director James Comey, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) is calling for an “impartial and independent” investigation into Russia’s interference in the presidential election.

Schumer outlined Democratic demands in a speech on the Senate floor Wednesday, voicing concern that the “subject” of the FBI’s investigation into potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russia may try to “quash” the probe.

“The only thing we are seeking is that the investigations are carried out in an impartial and independent way, that we get all the facts,” Schumer said. “All we are seeking is some assurance that the subject of this investigation is not able to influence it or, God forbid, quash it.”

Read more about Schumer’s speech here.

COMEY ROUNDUP: The firestorm over Comey’s firing dominated Washington on Wednesday. Here’s a quick roundup: Republicans are resisting calls for a special prosecutor. For a look at where GOP senators stand on the firing, click here. President Trump defended his decision, saying Comey was “not doing a good job.” The White House also said Trump had considered firing Comey since day one. Nancy Pelosi threatened to force a vote on an outside Russia probe. The acting FBI head will testify before the Senate. And Comey reportedly sought more resources for his Russia investigation days before his firing.

MATTIS DOWNPLAYS RIFT WITH TURKEY: Defense Secretary James Mattis on Wednesday downplayed the rift with Turkey caused by the U.S. decision to arm Syrian Kurds in the fight against ISIS.

Ankara considers the Kurdish fighters, known as the YPG, to be terrorists and an extension of outlawed Kurdish insurgents in Turkey known as the PKK.

“We will work together,” Mattis told reporters in Lithuania after touring a NATO training site. “We’ll work out any of the concerns. I’m not concerned at all about the NATO alliance and the relations between our nations.”

Pentagon officials announced Tuesday that President Trump had approved a plan to directly arm the Kurdish element of the Syrian Democratic Forces as they prepare to retake Raqqa, the de facto capital of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The United States considers the YPG to be the most effective local ground force fighting ISIS in Syria.

On Wednesday, Turkish officials railed against the U.S. decision, with Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu saying it would threaten Turkey and its allies.

Click here for the story.

Turkey’s president on Wednesday, also called the U.S. decision a “mistake.” The Hill’s Mark Hensch has more on that here.

SYRIA KURDS TO RECEIVE WEAPONS ‘VERY QUICKLY’: The United States will distribute small arms and equipment to YPG “very quickly” and will closely monitor how they are used, according to a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

“Some of the equipment and the resources … are already in theater and some of those may have begun being dispersed very quickly … Some will be metered out as it’s needed,” Air Force Col. John Dorrian, a spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, told Pentagon reporters Wednesday.

Dorrian said the YPG will be given “the types of weapons that can be used to address the types of threats that we’ve seen the ISIS enemy use,” such as vehicle borne improvised explosive devices. Heavy machine guns, ammunition and mortars will be “metered out to accomplish specific objectives to liberate Raqqa.”

Read the rest here.

MCMASTER NAMES ARMY RESERVIST AS NSC DEPUTY: Army Reserve Maj. Gen. Ricky Waddell will take over for K.T. McFarland as the White House’s deputy national security adviser, Politico reported.

Waddell will be second-in-command to national security adviser Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster and will run day-to-day operations and meetings.

Waddell has commanded the 76th Operational Response Command in Utah since October 2015. He is the latest NSC hire by McMaster since President Trump fired former national security adviser Michael Flynn in February, according to Politico.

Waddell also served as the European Security Affairs director on the National Security Council, and held positions in U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Central Command and U.S. Forces-Korea, according to his military bio.

Read more about Waddell here.

ON TAP FOR TOMORROW:

The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing on cyber policy, strategy and organization with former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and other experts at 9:30 a.m. at Dirksen Senate Office Building, room SD-G50. http://bit.ly/2qteJZT

The Senate Intelligence Committee will hold its annual open “World Wide Threats” hearing at 10 a.m. Thursday at Hart 216. Witnesses will include Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, CIA Director Mike Pompeo, NSA Director Adm. Mike Rogers, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Director Robert Cardillo and Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lt. Gen. Vincent Stewart. http://bit.ly/2phn2UA

Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin will testify at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee on the VA’s Choice 2.0 program, “What Worked, What Didn’t, and What Needs to Happen Next,” 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Dirksen 124. http://bit.ly/2qB9w1P

The Senate Intelligence Committee will also hold a closed hearing at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Hart 219. http://bit.ly/2q44D0P

ICYMI:

— The Hill: Trump tells Russian diplomat he wants ‘a better relationship’

— The Hill: Comey fired for intensifying investigation of Trump, Russia ties: report

— The Hill: CIA establishes mission center focused on North Korea

— The Hill: Five questions for Trump after FBI firing

— The Hill: White House leakers have new target: H. R. McMaster

— Defense News: Military brass defend State Department against White House budget ax

— Military Times: Marines who share nude photos can be separated.

Please send tips and comments to Rebecca Kheel, rkheel@digital-staging.thehill.com, and Ellen Mitchell, emitchell@digital-staging.thehill.com