Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn seeking immunity, has "a story to tell." Update!

A statement by counsel to General Flynn. pic.twitter.com/JQs90OI2OY

— Robert Kelner (@robkelner) March 30, 2017

Courtesy of HuffPo: 

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. 

Flynn’s attorney, Robert Kelner, confirmed in a statement that “discussions have taken place” with both committees, but declined to provide details on what those discussions entailed. 

“General Flynn certainly has a story to tell, and he very much wants to tell it, should the circumstances permit,” Kelner wrote. “Out of respect for the Committees, we will not comment right now on the details of discussions between counsel for General Flynn and the House and Senate Intelligence Committees, other than to confirm that those discussions have taken place.”

While Flynn’s attorney didn’t explicitly confirm Flynn’s request for immunity, he argued that his client is the target of “unfounded allegations” and “outrageous claims,” and should not be blamed for seeking “assurances” prior to agreeing to testimony. 

“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.

Oh now we're talking!

There have long been rumors that Flynn had cut a deal to spill his guts, and now it looks as if this is confirmation that he is looking to do exactly that.

Somehow I don't think that Donald Trump understands what this could mean to his presidency.

Mike Flynn should ask for immunity in that this is a witch hunt (excuse for big election loss), by media & Dems, of historic proportion!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 31, 2017

Yeah, right.

Update: It looks like Flynn's request for immunity was denied.

NEW: Immunity for Flynn is "not on the table," a senior Hill source tells @KenDilanianNBC, and immunity request was denied.

— Ari Melber (@AriMelber) March 31, 2017

I think that means that the intelligence folks already know what he knows.

Does NOT sound good for Trump. 

Subpoenas issued in closing of George Washington Bridge scandal show the noose is tightening around Chris Christie.

Courtesy of New Jersey.com:

 The list of high-level Port Authority and Christie administration officials who received subpoenas from newly formed state Assembly panel investigating the George Washington Bridge scandal includes the governor's incoming chief of staff and his communications director, according to two sources close to the investigation. 

A total of 17 people and three organizations must produce records to Assembly's investigative committee. They include Regina Egea, Christie's incoming chief of staff; Christie's communications Director Maria Comella; Port Authority Executive Director Patrick Foye; Deputy Director Bill Baroni; and GOP Party fundraiser Nicole Davidman Drewniak, who is married to Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak, according to the sources who requested anonymity because they were not permitted to release the information publicly. 

Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), chairman of the Assembly committee, said the subpoenas seek documents from the recipients, but subpoenas for testimony will follow. Wisniewski declined to confirm who received the first round of subpoenas. 

On Thursday night, The Star-Ledger reported subpoenas were sent to Kevin O’Dowd, Christie’s pick to serve as the state’s new Attorney General; Bridget Anne Kelly, the former deputy chief of staff for the governor who has been one of the key names in the investigation; Bill Stepien, Christie’s former campaign manager; Charles McKenna, the governor’s former chief counsel; Michael Drewniak, Christie’s spokesman.

Now if all of that did not cause Christie's sphincter to close up enough, learning that one of the main players behind the bridge closing is seeking immunity before spilling his guts should slam it shut for good.

Also from New Jersey.com:  

The former appointee of Gov. Chris Christie who directed lane closures that backed up traffic for hours in one New Jersey town is reiterating that he is ready to share more information if he can be granted immunity from prosecution. 

Look I know that Christie is a slick politician, but he is going to really have to smear some serious pig grease around his chubby ass in order to wriggle out of this one.

Another thing that I remember thinking the very first time that I heard about this scandal, and then forgot about later, is that the entire excuse of the closures being the result of a traffic study simply does not hold water.

This from Network World:

 The explanation that New Jersey closed access lanes on the heavily traveled George Washington Bridge for a "traffic study" is a head scratcher for traffic engineers. 

Engineers today use so-called microscopic traffic simulations to create virtual environments that can model driver behavior to road changes with exacting detail. 

There's plenty of data available for the simulations. One of the best sources are video camera systems that use software to count vehicles on roadways. 

The simulation software can model the impact of road changes with precision and without any need to close lanes to test theories, according to several traffic engineers interviewed by Computerworld. 

There is no evidence, in documents released late last week by investigators, that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey considered computer models in lieu of a real world action. 

I have to imagine that the New Jersey investigators have already dismissed this ridiculous excuse, and therefore view as highly suspicious that Christie continued to cling to it like a drowning man trying to stay afloat in a sea of pointed questions and skepticism. 

Like I said, the noose tightens.