The Takeaway So Far

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Here are the big points I can see from Spicer’s remarks.

1. Spicer denied that Flynn or any other campaign officials were in touch with Russian government officials during the campaign. That is flatly contradicted in multiple press reports.

2. Spicer insists that President Trump instinctively knew that what Gen. Flynn did was not wrong and his White House Counsel confirmed this for him.

3. Spicer claims that the President did not instruct Flynn to discuss sanctions with the Russian Ambassador.

4: Spicer was neither asked nor answered whether President Trump knew about Flynn’s communications with the Ambassador at the time or whether Flynn misled the President.

5. Spicer says that President Trump was not aware of the Flynn/Russia discussions when they happened and only learned of them after the DOJ briefed the White House Counsel.

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