Michael Flynn sentencing: Judge tells ex-Trump national security adviser ‘you sold your country out’ in hearing that ends with delay

Judge tells Flynn 'you sold your country out' during contentious hearing that ends with delay

Trump: FBI said Michael Flynn didn't lie

A judge has fiercely criticised Michael Flynn, Donald Trump‘s short-lived national security advisor, as he postponed his sentencing for lying to the FBI over contact with Russian officials during the 2016 presidential election campaign.

US District Judge Emmet Sullivan said Flynn had "arguably" sold out his country by lying to federal investigators in 2017, adding, "All along, you were an unregistered agent of a foreign country while serving as the National Security Adviser to the President of the United States."

The sentencing was postponed pending a status report in March, despite Special Counsel Robert Mueller suggesting Flynn receive little to no jail time due to his cooperation in the federal investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

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Key Points

• Judge suspends hearing after recess for Flynn to speak to his lawyers
• Flynn admits to knowing lying to federal investigators is a crime
• Government says it "remains a possibility" whether he is cooperating
• Flynn's former business partners charged over intrigue on behalf of Turkey

[18 December 2018 18:59 · Chris Riotta]

Here's more footage of Michael Flynn leaving the courthouse: 

[18 December 2018 19:09 · Chris Riotta]

Tuesday’s sentencing hearing for Michael Flynn featured a remarkable turn of events in which the ex-national security advisor was forced to repeatedly acknowledge he was aware lying to federal investigators was a crime, before the judge urged him to meet with his lawyers and consider requesting a delay in his sentencing. 

Flynn will likely be required to submit new briefings on how his cooperation is helping investigators in cases against his former business associates in Virginia who have been charged with acting as foreign agents. A status report is expected to arrive 13 March. 

[18 December 2018 19:20 · Chris Riotta]

That's all from today's coverage on Michael Flynn's sentencing hearing. Be sure to continue checking in with The Independent as the ex-national security adviser is due for a status report hearing in March.