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Flynn judge calls in anti-Trump lawyer to argue against government’s motion to dismiss
The federal judge in the Michael Flynn case issued an unusual order Wednesday, appointing a law firm partner to present arguments opposing prosecutors' motion to dismiss the case and consider whether Trump's former national security adviser should be held in contempt for perjury.
The federal judge in the Michael Flynn case issued an unusual order Wednesday, appointing a law firm partner to present arguments opposing prosecutors' motion to dismiss the case and consider whether Trump's former national security adviser should be held in contempt for perjury.
However, the partner has openly criticized the Trump administration's handling of Flynn's case, raising concerns that he was selected to improperly bolster presiding D.C. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan's efforts to keep the Flynn case alive.
Sullivan has previously suggested Flynn may have committed treason in a 2018 courtroom outburst, and critics say he seemingly confused key details about Flynn's overseas lobbying work. The precise reasons for the perjury review were not clear in Sullivan's order.
The law firm partner Sullivan appointed is John Gleeson, a retired federal judge who is now a partner at the international law firm Debevoise & Plimpton. He was specifically appointed as an "amicus curiae," or friend of the court. Gleeson penned an op-ed in The Washington Post this week apparently pre-judging the Flynn case, writing that "the [Flynn] record reeks of improper political influence."
"So if the court finds dismissal would result in a miscarriage of justice, it can deny the motion, refuse to permit withdrawal of the guilty plea and proceed to sentencing," Gleeson wrote. Click here for more on our top story.
Other related developments:
- Attorney General Barr may face subpoena
- What to know about Emmet Sullivan
- Sol Wisenberg says Flynn case judge may be trying to force pardon out of Trump
- Attorney General Barr may face subpoena
- What to know about Emmet Sullivan
- Sol Wisenberg says Flynn case judge may be trying to force pardon out of Trump
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