Democrats Say It's Pretty Obvious Why Michael Flynn Wants Immunity

Democrats responded to reports that Michael Flynn is seeking immunity from prosecution over his ties to Russia by suggesting that the former national security adviser might be hiding something.

Flynn, who resigned following reports that he misled Vice President Mike Pence about conversations he’d had with the Russian ambassador, offered testimony to the FBI, the House Intelligence Committee and the Senate Intelligence Committee, according to the Wall Street Journal. All three are currently investigating President Donald Trump’s contact with the Kremlin.

The Senate committee has turned down the request, a staffer confirmed to The Huffington Post. The House committee is still considering the offer, according to a statement from its top Democrat, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).

Schiff said testimony from former acting Attorney General Sally Yates could shed some more light on Flynn’s alleged offer. Yates had been scheduled to testify in a public hearing this week, but the committee’s chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), abruptly called it off.

Schiff has accused Nunes of trying to “choke off public info.”

“Generally, innocent people don’t seek immunity,” Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, told CNN. “I don’t want to hear from him in a setting where there are conditions.”

Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Calif.) also wasn’t very coy.

“Flynn asks for immunity,” she tweeted late Thursday. “Smoke = fire.”

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) also found Flynn’s offer suspect.

Flynn isn’t the only member of Trump’s inner circle to be accused of having improper contact with the Russian government. Former advisers Carter Page and J.D. Gordon, as well as former campaign manager Paul Manafort and longtime confidant Roger Stone, have also been been tied to the Kremlin.

This article has been updated with details about whether the House and Senate committees are considering taking Flynn’s deal.