Is Michael Flynn a reliable witness?

Is Michael Flynn trustworthy?

Former National Security Advisor and Retired General, Michael Flynn, wants to testify before the FBI and investigative committees about his involvement in communicating with Russians during the Trump campaign and after that. He offers to do that if he is protected from prosecution.

The business of negotiating deals with witnesses in exchange for their testimony is a routine business for the FBI. However, the stakes could not be higher in this instance for many reasons:

1. Flynn's testimony will cast insight about his personal role in engaging Russians, and that of the Trump campaign, other members of the Trump team, and Trump himself.
2. Flynn's testimony may be self-serving and untrustworthy, and therefore he may be on a mission to insulate others including the President. His being protected may give him more latitude to lie.
3. Flynn has already lied and was forced to resign. He is already an untrustworthy witness. The difference or leverage held by the FBI is other evidence that is unknown to Flynn. His being untruthful would likely trap him in an instant. Another lie might supersede any dealmaking about his protection from prosecution.

Not being a lawyer, this is an independent journalist's analysis.

"Michael Flynn Seeks Immunity In Exchange For Testifying To Congress, FBI
According to the Wall Street Journal, Flynn’s offer has not been accepted.
By Mollie Reilly

Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who briefly served as national security adviser to President Donald Trump, is seeking immunity from prosecution in exchange for testifying to those conducting investigations into the president’s ties to Russia, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. 

According to the report, Flynn made the offer to the FBI, the House intelligence committee and the Senate Intelligence committee. All three entities are currently investigating whether Trump’s associates had contact with Russian officials during the 2016 presidential campaign. According to the Wall Street Journal, none of them have yet accepted Flynn’s offer.  

(content omitted) 

“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,” he said." 

Huffington Post 

Flynn, the witness

Huffington Post Image