Michael Flynn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Flynn
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Official portrait, 2012
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| 24th United States National Security Advisor | |
| In office 22 January 2017 – 13 February 2017 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | K. T. McFarland |
| Preceded by | Susan Rice |
| Succeeded by | H. R. McMaster |
| Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency | |
| In office 24 July 2012 – 7 August 2014 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Ronald L. Burgess Jr. |
| Succeeded by | David Shedd (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Michael Thomas Flynn
24 December 1958 Middletown, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (before 2021) Republican (from 2021) |
| Spouse |
Lori Andrade
(m. 1981) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives |
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| Education |
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| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1981–2014 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
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| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
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Michael Thomas Flynn, born on December 24, 1958, is a retired United States Army lieutenant general. He served as the 24th U.S. National Security Advisor for a short time during the first Trump administration. He stepped down because he had given incorrect information about his talks with the Russian ambassador.
Flynn had a long military career. He helped create U.S. strategies to fight terrorism. He also worked to break up enemy groups during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. In July 2012, he became the 18th director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, a key intelligence role. He retired from the military in August 2014.
After leaving the military, Flynn started a company called Flynn Intel Group. This company offered intelligence services to businesses and governments. In December 2015, he gave a speech in Moscow and was paid for it. He even sat near Russian president Vladimir Putin at a dinner.
In 2016, Flynn became an advisor to Donald Trump for his presidential campaign. In January 2017, he became the National Security Advisor. However, he resigned in February 2017. This happened after it became known that he had not been truthful about his talks with the Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak. His time as National Security Advisor was the shortest ever.
Later, Flynn faced legal issues for making false statements to the FBI. He agreed to cooperate with a special investigation. In November 2020, President Trump gave Flynn a presidential pardon.
After the 2020 presidential election, Flynn suggested that the president should take unusual steps to change the election results. He has since become a leader in the Christian nationalist movement.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Michael Thomas Flynn grew up in Middletown, Rhode Island. He was one of nine children. His parents, Helen and Charles, were both Irish Catholics. His family had a strong tradition of serving in the military. His uncle was a Navy submarine captain, and his grandfathers served in World War II and World War I. His younger brother, Charles A. Flynn, also became a four-star general.
When he was 13, Flynn and a friend saved two toddlers from a runaway car. He was honored for this brave act. Flynn also had some trouble when he was younger. He spent time in a juvenile center, but his records were later cleared. While in high school, he met Lori Andrade, whom he married in 1981.
Flynn attended the University of Rhode Island. He struggled at first but later earned a scholarship from the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). He graduated in 1981 with a degree in management science. He also earned several master's degrees from different colleges. These included degrees in telecommunications, military art and science, and national security.
Military Career (1981–2014)
Joining the U.S. Army
In 1981, Flynn joined the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant in military intelligence. He served in many places, including Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was part of operations in Grenada and Haiti.
In 1983, during his service in Grenada, Flynn jumped off a cliff to save two stranded soldiers. He was disciplined for acting without permission. However, his fellow soldiers respected him for his courage.
Flynn held important intelligence roles. He was the director of intelligence for the Joint Special Operations Command. He served in this role during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He worked to improve intelligence gathering to fight enemy groups like Al-Qaeda in Iraq. In 2009 or 2010, he was reprimanded for sharing classified information with Pakistani officials.
Leading the Defense Intelligence Agency
In September 2011, Flynn was promoted to Lieutenant General. He became the assistant director of national intelligence. In July 2012, he took command of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). The DIA is a major intelligence agency for the U.S. military.
In June 2013, Flynn became the first U.S. officer allowed inside the Russian military intelligence (GRU) headquarters in Moscow. He was invited by the GRU chief.
Some of Flynn's colleagues were concerned about his leadership style. They also worried about his strong views on fighting terrorism. His superiors felt he was sometimes difficult to work with. In mid-2014, his two-year term at the DIA was not extended.
Retirement from Military Service
Flynn announced his retirement in April 2014. He left the Army in August 2014, after 33 years of service. Reports suggested he was asked to leave the DIA. This was due to disagreements with his superiors about how the agency should be run. Some officials felt he was not always accurate with his statements.
Flynn believed he was forced to retire because he questioned the Obama administration's view on terrorism. He felt the U.S. was less safe from Islamic terrorism in 2014 than before the 9/11 attacks. He also said his agency's reports about radical groups in Syria were not well-received by the administration.
After the Military
Starting a Consulting Firm
After retiring, Flynn and his son, Michael G. Flynn, started Flynn Intel Group Inc. This company offered intelligence services to businesses and governments. It operated from 2014 to 2016. In 2015, Flynn received money from companies connected to Russia.
In 2016, Flynn's company was hired by a firm linked to the Turkish government. He was paid for lobbying work that might have helped Turkey's government. Flynn later registered as a foreign agent for this work in March 2017.
On Election Day in November 2016, an article written by Flynn was published. It supported Turkey's government and criticized an opponent. At the time, Flynn did not reveal his company's ties to the Turkish government.
Attending an RT Gala Dinner
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In December 2015, Flynn attended a dinner in Moscow for RT. RT is a Russian government-owned media outlet. Flynn had appeared on RT as an analyst after leaving the military.
At the dinner, Flynn sat next to Russian President Vladimir Putin. This surprised some U.S. officials. Flynn also gave a speech about world affairs and was paid for it. Later, some lawmakers questioned if Flynn had broken any rules by accepting money from RT. An investigation was opened, and in May 2022, the Army sought to get back some of the money he received.
Involvement in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election
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In February 2016, Flynn became an advisor to Donald Trump's presidential campaign. He was even considered as a possible running mate for Trump. Although he was a registered Democrat, he said he would accept the Republican vice-presidential nomination. However, Trump chose Mike Pence instead.
Flynn gave a strong speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention. He criticized the previous administration and called for change. He also attacked Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, encouraging chants of "Lock her up!" He later apologized for retweeting some anti-Semitic remarks. During the campaign, Flynn also shared false articles and conspiracy theories online.
In August 2016, the FBI started an investigation into Flynn. They wanted to know if he was involved in any activities that might benefit Russia. A later review found that the FBI had enough reason to open the investigation.
National Security Advisor (2017)
Joining the Trump Administration
On November 18, 2016, Flynn accepted Trump's offer to be the National Security Advisor. This is a very important role that advises the president on national security and foreign policy. Before his appointment, some media outlets raised concerns about his close ties to Russia.
In January 2017, Flynn told the Trump transition team that he was under federal investigation for his lobbying work for Turkey.
Talks with the Russian Ambassador
Flynn had known Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak since 2013. They spoke several times in late December 2016 and January 2017. These calls happened after President Obama announced new measures against Russia for interfering in the 2016 U.S. election.
During these calls, Flynn asked Russia not to react too strongly to the new measures. He also discussed a United Nations Security Council resolution about Israeli settlements. U.S. intelligence agencies routinely listen to calls involving Russian officials. They discovered that Flynn had spoken to Kislyak multiple times.
Flynn later told incoming Vice President Mike Pence and other officials that he had not discussed the sanctions with Kislyak. Pence then repeated this incorrect information to the media. The FBI interviewed Flynn about these conversations. Acting Attorney General Sally Yates warned the White House that Flynn had misled officials and could be vulnerable to blackmail.
Resignation
On February 9, 2017, news reports revealed that Flynn had discussed U.S. sanctions with Kislyak, which was different from what the Trump administration had publicly stated. Flynn's spokesman then said Flynn "had no recollection of discussing sanctions" but "couldn't be certain that the topic never came up."
On February 13, Flynn resigned as National Security Advisor. He wrote that he had given "incomplete information" about his conversations. His time in the role lasted only 24 days, making it the shortest in history. The White House later said Trump asked Flynn to resign because of a "trust issue" due to misleading the Vice President.
After the Trump Administration
Legal Challenges and Pardon
After leaving his role, Flynn faced investigations. In December 2017, he agreed to a plea bargain. He pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI about his talks with the Russian ambassador. He also agreed to cooperate with the investigation.
His sentencing was delayed several times. In June 2019, Flynn hired new attorneys. In January 2020, he tried to withdraw his guilty plea. In May 2020, the Justice Department asked the court to drop all charges against Flynn. However, the judge decided to review the matter further.
On November 25, 2020, President Trump issued a presidential pardon to Flynn. On December 8, 2020, the judge dismissed the criminal case against Flynn.
Post-Pardon Activities
After his pardon, Flynn became more involved in certain political movements. In July 2020, he took an oath related to the QAnon conspiracy theory. After the 2020 election, he suggested that the president should consider unusual actions, like suspending the Constitution, to hold a new election under military control. He later met with Trump to discuss options.
Flynn has become a leader in the Christian nationalist movement. He organizes events and encourages people to get involved in what he calls a "spiritual and political war."
In January 2021, Flynn's Twitter account was permanently suspended. It was later reinstated in January 2023. In February 2021, he distanced himself from some QAnon views, calling rumors about Trump using military action "nonsense." However, he did not fully accept the 2020 election results.
In May 2021, Flynn made comments that were widely criticized. He seemed to suggest that a military coup, like one that happened in Myanmar, "should happen here" in the U.S. He later said his words were twisted by the press. He also claimed the COVID-19 pandemic was made up to distract from the 2020 election.
Flynn continues to be active in conservative Christian groups. He aims to influence elections by encouraging poll watching and voter challenges. In September 2022, he joined the executive committee of the Sarasota County, Florida Republican Committee.
Recent Activities
In December 2022, Flynn testified before a special grand jury investigating the 2020 election in Georgia. The grand jury later recommended that he and others be charged, but the prosecutor decided not to pursue charges against him.
In March 2023, Flynn supported an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory video. In August 2023, the Auschwitz Memorial criticized him for comments about Jewish parents during the Holocaust.
In May 2023, Donald Trump called into an event Flynn was hosting. Trump told Flynn, "We're going to bring you back," suggesting a possible future role for Flynn if Trump were elected president again.
Personal Life
Flynn married Lori Andrade in 1981. They have two children, Michael Flynn Jr. and Matt Flynn. In 2021, Flynn moved to Sarasota County, Florida. He has been involved with and donated to a far-right meeting place in Venice, Florida.
Writings
Flynn has co-authored several books. In 2010, he co-authored a report called Fixing Intel: A Blueprint for Making Intelligence Relevant in Afghanistan. This report suggested that U.S. intelligence agencies should be more open to sharing information.
In 2016, he co-authored The Field of Fight: How We Can Win the Global War Against Radical Islam and Its Allies. This book discusses his views on fighting radical Islam.
In December 2022, Flynn co-authored The Citizen's Guide to Fifth Generation Warfare. In this book, he writes that social media platforms are powerful tools used to influence people.
Awards and Recognitions
Flynn has received many military decorations and awards throughout his career. These include:
| Badge | Master Parachutist Badge | |||
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| 1st row | Defense Distinguished Service Medal | |||
| 2nd row | Defense Superior Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters |
Legion of Merit with one bronze oak leaf cluster |
Bronze Star Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters |
Meritorious Service Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster |
| 3rd row | Joint Service Commendation Medal | Army Commendation Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters |
Army Achievement Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster |
National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal |
| 4th row | USCG Distinguished Public Service Award | Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster |
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star |
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with four bronze service stars |
| 5th row | Afghanistan Campaign Medal | Iraq Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars |
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
| 6th row | Humanitarian Service Medal | Army Service Ribbon | Overseas Service Ribbon | NATO Medal |
| Badge | Ranger tab | |||
| Badge | Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge | |||
He has also received other honors, such as the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. In January 2022, his honorary doctorate from the University of Rhode Island was taken back.
Images for kids
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Official portrait, 2012
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Flynn at Middletown High School, 1977
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General Stanley McChrystal and Flynn in Afghanistan, 2010
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Flynn speaks during the change of directorship for the Defense Intelligence Agency on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C.
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Flynn with Martin Dempsey and Ashton Carter, 11 June 2013
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Flynn's former business associate Bijan Rafiekian was charged with illegally acting as an unregistered agent of Turkey. In 2019, a federal judge threw out the guilty verdicts against Rafiekian, citing insufficient evidence to sustain his conviction on either count.
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In December 2015, Flynn attended RT's 10th anniversary gala. Flynn is sitting next to Vladimir Putin during the dinner. Jill Stein (in the foreground) and Mikhail Gorbachev (in background) also attended.
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Flynn at a campaign rally, October 2016
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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe meets with President-elect Trump, Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump and Flynn in November 2016.
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Flynn and Susan Rice in January 2017
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Flynn with General Joseph F. Dunford (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), General Joseph Votel and General Raymond A. Thomas at MacDill Air Force Base on 6 February 2017
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Full pardon issued on behalf of Flynn by Donald Trump on 25 November 2020
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See also
In Spanish: Michael T. Flynn para niños
