why did Flynn lie to the FBI?

[Hamlette]

Trump says it was his job to contact foreign countries. Trump goes on to say Flynn was fired for lying to Pence which is wildly unbelievable about now.

Anyway, the real question. Why did Flynn lie about talking to Russians about sanctions? Trump said it was his job and he was, or should have been, smart enough to know he would be recorded if he talked to Kislyak.

They thought they were above the law? Wouldn't Flynn know better? Did they think they could just tell Comey to forget about it? Or fire him if he persisted? Didn't they see "All the President's Men"?

Reminds me of when I was a public defender and I would think thank god criminals are so dumb they get caught or this would be a more dangerous world. I'm thinking that about Trump right about now. Or, this is just to coverup something bigger and smarter.

[marylandblue]

1. Trump thinks be is smartest guy in the room

Don't all the dumbest criminals think that?

[Irish_Dem]

2. Hard to believe that this crew is smarter than they appear, but what do you have in mind Hamlette

when you say bigger and smarter, something they are covering up.
???

[Hamlette]

7. the connection to Russia is stronger and evidence clearer than we thought.

That Russia said we'll make you president and you lift sanctions imposed by the Magnitsky Act. And we'll bail Jarod out of 666. And what if they have some strong evidence. Hopefully in written.

[Irish_Dem]

10. All those pieces fit. Quid Pro Quo right down the line.

Trump is probably proud of the great "deal" he cut with Russia.

I would think the FBI at least has some of this on tape from phone calls.
??

Edited to add: If you recall a couple of months ago I think it was Grassley and Feinstein (judiciary committee) held a press conference, they both looked shaken to the core, as they talked about the Russian investigation but could not give much information. I think they had learned about the tapes or written info along the lines you discussed.

[MontanaMama]

3. I believe that they

all think they are above the law. I also believe they thought that running a WH was easy. Their disdain for the Obama administration and cabinet was on such overdrive that they were making foreign deals while PBO was still in office. Meanwhile, Kushner and Sessions and who knows who else has lied multiple times on their security clearance forms and lied lied lied to the Senate Intelligence Committee and they all still have security clearances. Lord knows what secrets they continue to give away.

[enough]

4. I think every last one of them thought Trump had been elected Emperor.

As his courtiers, all they needed was his permission and protection, and they could do whatever they wanted. None of them seems to have the slightest idea of what a President is, or what the function of the office is.

[former9thward]

5. "They thought they were above the law?"

What law?

[mnmoderatedem]

6. "They thought they were above the law?"

you answered your own question.

Given Trump's history, he had the wild delusion that the Russia probe was some thing he could, or more accurately be entitled to, talking his way out of.

His history of being able to wiggle out of anything, give it his screwing over NYC with his Trump Tower scam, his numerous slippery bankruptcy settlements, screwing contractors of their pay, and most notably, his repeatedly getting away with violating anti money laundering laws regarding his casinos with a relative slap on the wrist, made him the monster he is today.

He's honestly and truly befuddled as to why he wasn't able to just kill this Russia probe thing.

Welcome to reality mr. prez.

[NanceGreggs]

8. These people don't think they're above the law ...

... they just think they can outsmart the law.

[Golden Raisin]

11. Yes. But they also seem to have been installed to

chip away and erode the law and our institutions. The constant, disruptive 24/7 chaos is not entirely due to ineptitude, inexperience and amateurish mismanagement. The cabinet ministers were deliberately chosen for their opposition to, open disdain for and willingness to gut and bleed out their respective departments. And overriding all is the pervasive, predominant and sickening imperial attitude --- that they rule and operate by decrees rather than laws, for which they have contempt and from which they feel exempt.

[lindysalsagal]

9. To get to the other side.

THEY'RE ALL FILTHY CRIMINALS! THAT'S WHY!