Senate Intelligence Committee turned down Flynn's immunity request

[bigtree]

Kyle Griffin? @kylegriffin1 3m3 minutes ago
.@kasie just reported on @MSNBC that the Senate Intelligence Committee has turned down Flynn's immunity request, per a sr. cong. official.

Link to tweet

[dem4decades]

1. Wouldn't Flynn be more concerned with immunity from

The FBI?

[bigtree]

5. if he got his way

...and the Senate granted him immunity from prosecution for some crimes, that would insulate him from some of the FBI pursuit of charges.

This is an attempt to muddy the water in that FBI investigation.

See: Oliver North

[dem4decades]

8. Thanks.

[titaniumsalute]

10. Yesterday the article said he was asking for imm from FBI and Congress Committees

[bigtree]

21. yep, he went to Justice Dept.

...who actually has that authority.

Kasie Hunt? @kasie
@KenDilanianNBC reports Mike Flynn *also* offered to speak to JUSTICE DEPARTMENT in exchange for immunity (not just Senate committee)

[MineralMan]

14. The FBI does not grant immunity to anyone.

Any such immunities come from the Department of Justice. The FBI investigates. The DOJ prosecutes. The FBI cannot grant immunity to anyone.

[DefenseLawyer]

20. The FBI can't grant immunity.

If giving a sworn statement to the FBI or testifying before a federal grand jury, the immunity agreement would have to come from the Justice Department through a United States Attorney to be enforceable.

[AJT]

2. What's their reasoning?

[Luciferous]

3. Maybe they don't need him.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Too soon. They don't have enough info yet

to even know what questions to ask him.

[nycbos]

12. It says "story is developing"

A few educated guesses would be

1. They want to check with the FBI first.

2. They want him to proffer to see what he has before deciding.

[democrank]

6. Probably too soon to consider immunity.

Let Flynn dangle for awhile.

[Demsrule86]

7. Is this good or bad for us?

Does this mean he has to make a deal with FBI? I don't quite understand this...

[dgibby]

17. If the FBI already has all the evidence they need re: Flynn,

then it would probably be more advantageous to charge him, let DOJ convict him, then work out a sentencing plea bargain for whatever info he can provide about the rest of Trump's team. Of course, the problem would be that Trump could always pardon him before he even serves a day in prison.

[bigtree]

18. it's mostly good

...but it depends on what your individual aim is in this.

If you want Flynn to come before the public and talk, then this is likely to mean that won't happen. FBI investigations don't normally provide much sunlight into details of criminal activity, outside of prosecution, and even then records can be sealed for decades.

OTOH, there's nothing guaranteeing Flynn would reveal anything damaging to the WH or Trump, instead merely repeating defenses and excuses that support the version of events he's already offered. Senators need to be certain he actually has something incriminating or even exculpatory to offer before giving him cover from prosecution.

This leaves the playing field at status quo, outside of the very damaging potential to the WH that this request has in shaping public opinion of the investigation. It's very early in this investigation (I think) and this doesn't help the administration's case.

[Jarqui]

9. That's probably not good news for Flynn or Trump

The condition on that is in a normal world "We don't need your help to get to the bottom of this" would mean they're in real trouble.

But we're not living in a normal world. The GOP may prefer to let him plead the 5th and not say anything.

[titaniumsalute]

13. This means one of two things

1. Flynn gave them some of the "scoop" in exchange for immunity and it wasn't helpful, juicy, or they already knew what he was going to tell them. If they have overwhelming evidence on Flynn they may want to prosecute. If he is arrested THEN he may sing like a birdie and that will be more meaningful to the FBI/Congress.

2. He doesn't have shit and wants to go the route of Oliver North. Admit all wrongdoing but no repercussions due to immunity. Praise the rest of Trump's buddies that they had nothing to do with it. Congress isn't falling for it.

[Historic NY]

15. Now that he's asked for it.....

in time it will swing back to him. Giving it now w/o knowing how far this investigation will go is nuts.

[Vinnie From Indy]

16. Flynn is probably screwed!

Either he.had nothing or what he offered was something they already had.

[Fozzledick]

19. Forget immunity - go with a plea bargain.

No blanket immunity, proffer a reduced sentence for a full confession and testimony against the Godfather.