Donald Trump’s incoming national security advisor, Michael Flynn, reportedly had several telephone conversations with Russia’s ambassador on December 29, the same day President Barack Obama ousted 35 Russian diplomats and imposed other sanctions in response to Russia’s apparent attempts to influence last year’s presidential election. A senior U.S. official said Friday the Obama administration is aware of the calls and other frequent communications between Flynn and Russia’s ambassador, according to The Associated Press. Trump spokesman Sean Spicer confirmed to reporters Friday that Flynn and the ambassador communicated on December 28 and discussed setting up a call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin after Trump’s January 20 inauguration. He did not confirm that Flynn spoke with the Russian diplomat on December 29. Discussions between incoming administrations and foreign governments are not unusual, but multiple discussions on the day of the U.S. retaliatory actions would raise questions about whether Flynn and the ambassador discussed a possible Russian response.

Source: GNN Liberia January 13, 2017 22:38 UTC