During Michael Flynn’s sentencing hearing on Tuesday morning, Judge Emmet Sullivan attempted to dissolve any doubts that Flynn did in fact lie to the FBI, by grilling Flynn over his guilty plea and whether he felt “entrapped” by the FBI, as President Trump and his allies have alluded in recent days.
“I cannot recall any incident in which the court accepted a guilty plea in which he was not guilty and I don’t intend to start today,” Sullivan told Flynn, according to MSNBC. “I will inform you, any false answers will get you in more trouble, do you understand?”
Flynn responded in the affirmative, before Sullivan asked if he wished “to challenge the circumstances under which you were interviewed by the FBI?”
His lawyers have said in recent days that the only reason Flynn lied to the FBI was because he was caught off-guard by the agents. The White House on Tuesday said he was “certainly ambushed” by the FBI.
“No, your honor,” Flynn said. “I was aware that lying to the FBI was a crime.”
Sullivan also asked Flynn if he “believed that he was entrapped by the FBI,” and he said “no,” through his attorney.
Flynn: "I was aware that lying to the FBI was a crime." pic.twitter.com/17O51C2Vm0
— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) December 18, 2018
HuffPost reporter Ryan Reilly characterized Sullivan’s remarks as an attempt to make his crimes “abundantly clear.”
Judge Sullivan is making sure it’s abundantly clear that Michael Flynn is pleading guilty because he’s guilty. That he lied to the FBI, that he knew it was wrong to lie to the FBI.
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) December 18, 2018
Judge Sullivan giving Flynn one final shot to withdraw his guilty plea. Judge asks if he wants to proceed.
FLYNN: “I would like to proceed.”
Because you’re guilty?
FLYNN: “Yes, your honor.”
Now proceeding.
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) December 18, 2018
“No, your honor,” Flynn said. “I was aware that lying to the FBI was a crime.”
Womp womp.
No your honor. That statement was for Fox News, not a court of law.
Activist judge! Activist judge! Balls and strikes! What is this harassment of the good man Flynn accomplishing? The is a show trial! He’s being entrapped by the judge into admitting guilt!
–everyone on Fox in a minute or two
In my best Blutarski voice:
HOLY SHIT