ACCESSING CLASSIFIED FILES
Decrypting documents...
Your connection is being monitored
Back to Individuals
medium risk
Michael Flynn
National Security Advisor; Retired Lt. General; QAnon Figure
Overview
Key Affiliations
Donald Trump
National Security Advisor; key campaign surrogate; attended December 18 Oval Office meeting proposing military seizure of voting machines
organization
Sergey Kislyak
Russian ambassador; Flynn lied to FBI about discussions regarding sanctions during transition
organization
Sidney Powell
Attorney who represented Flynn; both attended December 18 Oval Office meeting proposing extreme measures to overturn election
organization
Roger Stone
Fellow Trump ally; both connected to far-right organizing; both benefited from Trump pardons
organization
Mike Pence
Vice President whom Flynn lied to about Russian contacts, precipitating his resignation
organization
Robert Mueller
Special Counsel who prosecuted Flynn; Flynn cooperated extensively before reversing course
organization
Controversies & Concerns
Russia Contacts and False Statements: During the presidential transition, Flynn discussed sanctions with Russian Ambassador Kislyak and then lied to the FBI and Vice President Pence about the conversations. He pleaded guilty to making false statements under 18 U.S.C. 1001.
December 18 Oval Office Meeting: Attended a chaotic late-night White House meeting where Sidney Powell proposed being appointed special counsel to seize voting machines and Flynn advocated for declaring martial law to rerun the election.
Calls for Martial Law: Publicly called for Trump to declare martial law, suspend the Constitution, and have the military oversee a new election. Appeared on Newsmax advocating these positions.
QAnon Involvement: Became a prominent figure in the QAnon conspiracy movement, publicly taking the "QAnon oath" and appearing at QAnon events. Promoted theories about satanic child trafficking networks.
Turkey Lobbying and FARA Violations: Retroactively registered as a foreign agent of Turkey after failing to disclose $530,000 in lobbying payments from a Turkish company while serving as a campaign advisor. Discussed kidnapping cleric Fethullah Gulen.
Trump Pardon: Pardoned by Trump on November 25, 2020, despite having pleaded guilty twice. Pardon came amid Trump's escalating campaign to overturn the election, freeing Flynn to advocate for extreme measures.
Related Investigations (19)
2016 Election InterferenceElection Security
Tier 2
criticalThe Afghanistan PapersMilitary & Foreign Policy
Tier 2
criticalDOJ Politicization Under TrumpAbuse of Power
Tier 3
criticalForeign Agent Registration ViolationsForeign Influence
Tier 4
highMichael Flynn Russia ScandalForeign Influence
Tier 1
highJanuary 6 Insurrection: The Assault on American DemocracyConstitutional Crisis
Tier 1
criticalObstruction of JusticeIntelligence & Covert Operations
Tier 1
criticalPattern of Presidential MisconductAbuse of Power
Tier 3
criticalPentagon January 6 FailuresJanuary 6 Response
Tier 4
criticalCorrupt PardonsFinancial Crime
Tier 1
highProject 2025Environmental
Tier 2
criticalQAnon: The Radicalization PipelineCriminal Justice
Tier 1
criticalRussia Investigation OverviewForeign Interference
Tier 1
criticalRussian Election Interference 2016Election Interference
Tier 1
criticalRussian Election InterferenceElection Integrity
Tier 1
criticalTreason & Foreign CollusionNational Security
Tier 3
criticalTrump's Corrupt Pardon SpreeAbuse of Power
Tier 4
criticalTrump-Russia InvestigationForeign Interference
Tier 1
criticalThe Trump Criminal CompendiumCrimes Against Humanity
Tier 1
criticalSources & Documentation
4 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
Education
Key Timeline
1958-12-24
Born in Middletown, Rhode Island
1981
Commissioned as second lieutenant in the U.S. Army; begins military intelligence career
2012-07
Appointed Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency by President Obama
2014-08
Forced out of DIA after clashes with Obama administration over terrorism policy
2015-12
Sits next to Vladimir Putin at RT (Russia Today) gala dinner in Moscow; paid $45,000 by Russian state media
2016-07-18
Leads "Lock her up!" chant about Hillary Clinton at Republican National Convention
2017-01-20
Sworn in as National Security Advisor
2017-01-24
Interviewed by FBI at White House about contacts with Russian Ambassador Kislyak; makes false statements
2017-02-13
Resigns as National Security Advisor after only 24 days; admits misleading Vice President Pence about Russia contacts
2017-12-01
Pleads guilty to making false statements to the FBI (18 U.S.C. 1001); agrees to cooperate with Special Counsel Mueller
2020-07-04
Posts video taking the "QAnon oath": "Where we go one, we go all"
2020-11-25
Pardoned by Trump for false statements conviction
2020-12-17
Appears on Newsmax calling for Trump to declare martial law and have military oversee new election
2020-12-18
Attends chaotic Oval Office meeting with Sidney Powell proposing military seizure of voting machines and appointment of special counsel
2021-01-06
Present in Washington D.C. during the Capitol attack; Select Committee investigated his role in planning
2022-12-19
Select Committee criminal referral includes Flynn's role in the broader conspiracy to overturn the election