Current Event 3 National Security Advisor Michael Flynn

resigns
Cantu, Noah

Mr. Wisner

World History

T/TH 2nd Period

2/15/17

Link:

http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/13/politics/michael-flynn-white-house-national-security-adviser/

Key Vocabulary:

1. Resigned: Voluntarily leave a job or other position.

2. Justice Department: A department of the federal executive branch, headed by the attorney

general, which administers the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), prosecutes

violations of federal law, and is responsible for enforcing all civil rights legislation.

3. Ambassador: An accredited diplomat sent by a country as its official representative to a

foreign country.

4. Classified: bearing the designation classified, available only to authorized persons.

Summary of the Event

On February 14, 2017 Michael Flynn resigned his post as National Security Advisor of

the United States of America. This resignation was the result of revelations that he was not

truthful during an exploratory conversation with Vice President Mike Pence prior to Flynns

appointment as National Security Advisor. According to Government Intelligence Agencies who

 Current Event 3 National Security Advisor Michael Flynn
resigns
were monitoring Flynns conversations with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak, Flynn had

illegal conversations about Sanctions against Russia for their alleged hacking during the U.S.

Presidential Election. This action is in violation of U.S. law which stipulates that it is illegal for

unauthorized private citizens to negotiate with foreign governments on behalf of the U.S.

Government.The seriousness of this violation cannot be understated, the major concern of the

Intelligence Agencies is that since Russia was aware that Michael Flynn had violation U.S. law

and could possibly use that information as blackmail against Michael Flynn and the U.S.

government in the future.

President Trumps knowledge about this situation is also in question. According to reports

from the U.S. Justice Department Trump was advised that the violation had taken place last

month. President Trumps finally accepted Michael Flynns resignation on the 14th of

February.However the question of why President Trump did not take immediate action upon the

hearing of Flynns interactions with the Russian ambassador is a major concern to many. This

seems to be another of many political missteps made by the current administration.

Another important factor that was highlighted during this incident was the important role

that intelligence agencies play with regard to national security. Indeed this matter that would not

have been in uncovered if not for the critical role that our intelligence agencies play in

monitoring both foreign and domestic threats to this nation. Theses Intelligence Agencies

seemed to have acted quickly and effectively in handling this matter. Once suspicions were

confirmed about Michael Flynns illegal actions, the proper authorities were notified. However it

was not until knowledge of Michael Flynns illegal actions were made public that President

Trump was forced to act on this information.

 Current Event 3 National Security Advisor Michael Flynn
resigns
My Opinion of the Event

In my opinion this event leads me not only to question the advisors of President Trump's

cabinet but also President Trump himself. I believe that further checks and balances need to be

put into place as this nation goes forward. This administration especially seems to be embroiled

in political missteps and sanctionable practices. For example the President's counselor Kellyanne

Conway recently endorsed a product that is manufactured by the Presidents daughter which is

an ethical violation. The standards of conduct for federal employees is that government

employees are prohibited from using their official positions to promote commercial products.

These types of incidents so early in the administration does not inspire much confidence in both

the President and the government.

Historical Event that Relates to this Event

I would relate this event to Nixon's resignation as President on August 9, 1974. Both of

these events involved secrete recording that eventually lead to the resignation of high level

political officials. Both events were also similar in that American interests were involved.

However these matters differ in the fact that Richard Nixon was President and that his recordings

were domestic issues. Unlike Michael Flynns whose phone calls dealt with international issues.

Relation of the Event to the Sub Theme

I would relate this event to the subtheme of Political Structures nations and nationalism. I

would relate this event to this sub theme because Michael Flynn was not only a very prominent

political leader but also a security advisor to the Presidents administration and, his sudden

resignation causes great concern in the nation after only being an advisor for a short time. This

event can be related to the subtheme nations and nationalism because before he became an
 Current Event 3 National Security Advisor Michael Flynn
resigns
advisor to the Trump Administration he made several phone calls to a Russian ambassador about

sanctions against Russia. This conversation however was not legal leaving Michael Flynn and

arguable the nation open to blackmail from the Russian government.

Questions on the Event

1. Who will fill the shoes of Michael Flynn?

2. What checks will the Trump administration put in place in the future to avoid this same

thing from happening in the future?

3. What will Russian President Vladimir Prudent do in light of these new events?

4. Will there be further legal ramifications for Michael Flynn and the Trump

administration?