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Donald Trump ‘plans to pardon’ former aide Michael Flynn

  • Michael Flynn pleaded guilty in 2017 to lying to the FBI over his Russian contacts
  • A pardon from Trump would take the matter out of the courts.

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Donald Trump and Michael Flynn in 2016. File photo: AFP

US President Donald Trump has told allies he plans to pardon his former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who had pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI during an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, a source familiar with the situation said on Tuesday.

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Trump could still change his mind on the planned pardon, which is among a number of pardons under consideration by the Republican president, the source said. The news was first reported by Axios.

Democrat Joe Biden defeated Trump in US elections earlier this month, but Trump has refused to formally concede, alleging without evidence that there was widespread voter fraud. However, Trump on Monday gave the go-ahead for federal funds to start flowing to Biden so he can carry out his transition duties before his January 20 inauguration.

Michael Flynn arrives for his sentencing hearing in Washington in 2018. File photo: AFP
Michael Flynn arrives for his sentencing hearing in Washington in 2018. File photo: AFP

If Trump does grant a reprieve to Flynn, it would be the highest-profile pardon issued by the president since he took office.

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Trump fired Flynn just 22 days into his administration.

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