Michael Flynn Walks Free: Justice Department Drops Case Against Trump's Former Adviser

The Justice Department is dropping the criminal charges against Michael Flynn, President Donald Trump's former national security adviser.

Documents filed by U.S. Attorney Timothy Shea at a DC District Court on Thursday (May 7) showed that the Justice Department is recommending the dismissal of Flynn's case "after a considered review of all the facts and circumstances of this case, including newly discovered and disclosed information."

The Justice Department said that the FBI's interview of Flynn in 2017, for his alleged contacts with Russia for their interference during the 2016 elections, was "untethered" and "unjustified."

"The Government is not persuaded that the Jan. 24, 2017, interview was conducted with a legitimate investigative basis and therefore does not believe Mr. Flynn's statements were material even if untrue," the Justice Department's filing stated.

Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the bureau and to Vice President Mike Pence about his conversations and interactions with former Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak.

The retired three-star general, who was often on the same page on many issues with the President, left his job at the White House as a result of the investigations, merely weeks after Trump was sworn into office.

However, Flynn has been seeking to withdraw his plea and avoid a potential prison term after he fired his original legal team.

Attorney General William Barr, who has been a critic of the FBI's investigations into Russia's involvement in the 2016 presidential elections, asked U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen to review Flynn's case.

"I concluded the proper and just course was to dismiss the case. I briefed Attorney General Barr on my findings, advised him on these conclusions, and he agreed," Jensen said.

Meanwhile, Trump said he was not aware of the Justice Department's recommendation. Justice Department spokesperson Kerri Kupec said they did not brief the White House on Flynn's case.

The President has described Flynn as a "great warrior" and "great gentleman" and declared the reports about Flynn's involvement with Russia as "fake news."