Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Joe Biden, had an interview Tuesday with ABC’s “Good Morning America,” and was pressed by George Stephanopoulos over what he knew about the Obama administration’s moves to investigate General Michael Flynn, and whether there was anything improper done.
The former vice president ultimately admitted he was “aware” at the time of the investigation started by the Obama administration, but first denied knowing, by telling Stephanopoulos he thought he had asked him “whether or not I had anything to do with him being prosecuted”.
Asked what did he know about investigating General Flynn, Joe Biden claimed: “I know nothing about those moves to investigate Michael Flynn, number one,” then called the topic a “diversion” from the coronavirus pandemic.
George Stephanopoulos continued pressing Biden by questioning whether he attended an Oval Office meeting on Jan. 5, 2017, during the presidential transition period, where General Flynn reportedly was discussed.
“No, I thought you asked me whether or not I had anything to do with him being prosecuted,” Biden said. “I’m sorry. I was aware that there was– that they asked for an investigation, but that’s all I know about it, and I don’t think anything else …”
Biden’s comments come as questions about what he and Obama knew about the origins of the investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia in the 2016 presidential election were revived last week, as newly released documents revealed additional details about that Jan. 5, 2017, Oval Office meeting, Fox News reported. Continued Below
On January 5, 2017, Sally Yates attended an Oval Office meeting with then-FBI Director James Comey, then-Vice President Joe Biden, then-CIA Director John Brennan, and then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, according to the newly declassified documents, including an FD-302 FBI witness report. They were discussing Russian election interference, along with national security adviser Susan Rice and other members of the national security council, per Fox News.
After the briefing, Obama asked Yates and Comey to “stay behind,” and said he had “learned of the information about Flynn” and his conversation with Russia’s ambassador about sanctions. Obama “specified that he did not want any additional information on the matter, but was seeking information on whether the White House should be treating Flynn any differently, given the information.” A previous memo from Rice stated that Biden also stayed behind after the main briefing had ended.
Meanwhile, in a resurfaced video from February 2018 with CNN’s Chris Cuomo, Biden defended the FISA applications that were used for the Steele dossier. Video Below
In December, Inspector General Michael Horowitz released a report over FISA abuse and identified at least 17 “significant” errors in the Page applications and said they would launch a new audit into the FISA process.
Horowitz contradicted the media’s claim that the dossier was just a small part of the case presented to the FISA court. He found that it was essential to seeking FISA warrants.
"I know nothing about those moves [by the FBI] to investigate Michael Flynn," Joe Biden claimed.
Reminded he was in a January 5, 2017, Oval Office meeting with President Obama and the FBI Director about investigating Flynn, Biden admits "I was aware… but that's all I know." pic.twitter.com/SImLNoqhd7
— Trump War Room – Text TRUMP to 88022 & get the APP (@TrumpWarRoom) May 12, 2020
In February 2018, Joe Biden defended the FISA applications used to spy on Trump associates, saying he hadn't seen any indication the FBI abused the process.
Given what we know now, has Biden changed is mind? https://t.co/JJItf7M3kj pic.twitter.com/GRzcFmLOvR
— Trump War Room – Text TRUMP to 88022 & get the APP (@TrumpWarRoom) May 12, 2020
