Spicer: Obama's Advice on Flynn Not a Huge Surprise

Outgoing president made clear to Trump 'he wasn't exactly a fan'
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted May 8, 2017 1:42 PM CDT
Spicer: Yes, Obama Made Clear He Wasn't 'a Fan' of Flynn
White House press secretary Sean Spicer speaks during the daily press briefing on May 8.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

White House spokesman Sean Spicer confirmed reports Monday that outgoing President Obama warned President-elect Trump about Michael Flynn. But Spicer downplayed it as informal, unsurprising advice. "It's true President Obama made it known he wasn't exactly a fan of Gen. Flynn's," said Spicer, adding that Obama's viewpoint wasn't exactly a bombshell given Flynn's outspoken criticism of his administration. Either way, Trump ignored Obama and made Flynn his national security adviser, only to fire him three weeks later over Flynn's conversations with the ambassador to Russia.

Spicer added that if Obama truly had concerns about Flynn, he should have revoked his security clearance and stopped him from traveling to places such as Russia. (See a video of his comments here.) Flynn had served as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency under Obama for about two years, a position for which he needed a security clearance. He was fired in 2014. Still, Obama's advice to Trump "didn't give him pause at all?" Spicer was asked. "No," he responded. (More Sean Spicer stories.)

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