Former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn Hires Lawyer Sidney Powell, Fox News Contributor Who Attacked Mueller

Donald Trump‘s former national security advisor, Michael Flynn, has hired Sidney Powell as his new lawyer, replacing Robert Kelner and Stephen Anthony whom he fired just days ago.

Powell has informed the press that Flynn will continue to cooperate with the government as per the terms of his plea deal, but many doubt the legitimacy of that statement. Powell has long been against Flynn’s plea, writing in a 2018 op-ed that the retired Army lieutenant should “withdraw his plea deal,” and instead take his case as an opportunity to fight the investigation of former Special Counsel Robert Mueller. While Flynn has yet to officially announce that he will be taking a different legal path, his change of legal team is a sign to many that he is considering diverging from his current course.

This combative position is supported by many right-wing figures who are skeptical of the Russia probe that led to Flynn’s arrest. Fox News opinion host Sean Hannity encouraged Flynn to “fight this in court” and resist what many Republicans view as a baseless witch hunt. “My advice to General Flynn is this: Get your new lawyers, move forward with your legal team,” said Hannity.

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President Trump himself also congratulated Flynn on his new choice of lawyer, calling Powell a “GREAT LAWYER,” and Flynn a “33 year war hero.”

General Michael Flynn, the 33 year war hero who has served with distinction, has not retained a good lawyer, he has retained a GREAT LAWYER, Sidney Powell. Best Wishes and Good Luck to them both!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 13, 2019

Flynn is currently awaiting sentencing for the one charge of lying to federal prosecutors which he pleaded guilty to in 2017, admitting that he lied about his contacts with former Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. He was originally scheduled to be sentenced in December, but he has repeatedly delayed the date of his hearing, claiming that he can still be of more use to the Mueller investigation. Now that the special counsel’s probe has concluded, however, there is no reason left to push back the date any longer.