On Monday, White House press secretary Sean Spicer blamed the Obama administration for not doing more to express their concerns about ousted National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, eliciting bewildered responses from journalists and others on social media.
NBC News reported Monday that Obama had specifically warned then-President-elect Donald Trump about Flynn in a November meeting.
Spicer said during his daily press briefing Monday that “It’s true that President Obama made it known that he wasn’t exactly a fan of Gen. Flynn’s,” but that that “shouldn’t come as a surprise” given Flynn’s criticism of the Obama administration.
If the Obama administration was truly concerned, Spicer said, they should have suspended Flynn’s security clearance.
The Trump administration is under fire for not thoroughly screening Flynn themselves for his conflicts of interest.
NBC News’ Ken Dilanian reported Monday that Flynn was required to obtain a new security clearance from the CIA before beginning as national security adviser in the Trump administration. That clearance was never granted, NBC News reported, according to one unnamed official with knowledge of the matter.
Spicer: Pres. Obama made it known to Trump that he “wasn’t exactly a fan” of former national security adviser Flynn https://t.co/Ob4Ns0BJIU
— NBC News (@NBCNews) May 8, 2017
Reactions were harsh.
Spicer is on the hotseat rn trying to explain why Obama's warning to Trump about Flynn was ignored. He's still trying to blame Obama.
— Victoria Brownworth (@VABVOX) May 8, 2017
New presidents often blame predecessors for various things. Trump may be first to blame his national security adviser on his predecessor.
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) May 8, 2017
Twilight Zone stuff from Sean: Obama fired Flynn but it's his fault that Trump hired him
— Glenn Thrush (@GlennThrush) May 8, 2017
Spicer says Obama "didn't take any proactive steps" to deny Flynn's security clearance. Besides, you know, firing him.
— Kaili Joy Gray (@KailiJoy) May 8, 2017
You don't get to spend 8 years painting Obama as a lying, terrorist-sympathizing criminal and then say you relied on him vetting your NSA.
— Jesse Berney (@jesseberney) May 8, 2017
Obama FIRED Flynn
Obama WARNED Trump about Flynn on 11/10/16#SallyYates WARNED Trump about Flynn
Now Trump & Spicer blame ObamaGo figure! pic.twitter.com/4S4gPCXQS1
— Cornelia (@PaladinCornelia) May 8, 2017
