National Security Adviser Michael Flynn reportedly withdrew Monday from giving a speech at a defense-focused event originally scheduled for the same night.
Flynn was listed as an “invited” speaker on Monday night at the National Defense Industrial Association’s annual special operations/low intensity conflict symposium, per the NDIA’s final agenda.
“Flynn had never confirmed his attendance. He was always listed as invited,” NDIA public relations and communications director Ashley Saunders wrote in an email to TPM.
The White House withdrew Flynn due to scheduling conflicts, according to Defense One tech editor Patrick Tucker, who first reported the cancellation.
BREAKING Flynn will not speak at Special Operations Forces banquet tonight, after being previously listed as keynote https://t.co/YJNcHGhDJT
— Patrick Tucker (@DefTechPat) February 13, 2017
@jarvik7 he was the invited keynote but WH informed NDIA of pullout over wknd, said “would not work w his schedule” according to NDIA
— Patrick Tucker (@DefTechPat) February 13, 2017
@danmericaCNN NDIA says “He was always tentative … we learned over the weekend that it would not work with his schedule.”
— Patrick Tucker (@DefTechPat) February 13, 2017
@danmericaCNN So he was a firm maybe as late as Friday and fully backed out over the weekend.
— Patrick Tucker (@DefTechPat) February 13, 2017