Three former Obama administration officials have told NBC News that former President Barack Obama warned Donald Trump against hiring Mike Flynn as his national security adviser.
This warning came less than 48 hours following the November election when the two held a 90-minute conversation in the Oval office.
According to all three officials, Obama not only advised against hiring Flynn but also explained why. Obama revealed to Trump that Flynn was released from his position as head of the Defense Intelligence Agency due to his mismanagement and temperament issues. Along with the advice, Obama even informed Trump that he believed Flynn was not suitable for such a high-level post within the government.
The news of Obama’s warning to Trump came to light the day before Sally Yates and James Clapper are scheduled to testify before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee.
Sally Yates made headlines for refusing to defend Trump’s executive order to close U.S. borders and ban people from Muslim countries.
James Clapper, former director of national intelligence, was the one who fired Michael Flynn from his position as head of the Defense Intelligence Agency.
Trump went on the defensive via Twitter on Monday morning.
General Flynn was given the highest security clearance by the Obama Administration – but the Fake News seldom likes talking about that.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 8, 2017
It should be noted that he was given the highest security clearance during a review in 2016. The Trump administration did not bother to review his credentials after his release from the Obama administration or review his activities during his time as a “free agent” before hiring him for the job. You can get away with that in the business world but NOT in government. That kind of information is vital.
Regardless of how you feel about the person you are replacing, if they advise you to not do something, you either don’t do it or, if you think it may be a ploy, you look at why they said to not do it. After all, no one is as deaf as the one who will not listen.
Featured image via Win McNamee/Getty Images