General Flynn had pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI as part of former special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into the alleged Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election.
And Judge Sullivan accused President Trump of having a great deal of interest in the case, which appeared to be true judging by the many tweets of the president about the case.
“Mr. Flynn was serving as an adviser to President Trump’s transition team during the events that gave rise to the conviction here, and, as this case has progressed, President Trump has not hidden the extent of his interest in this case,” he said.
“This commentary has ‘made clear that the President has been closely following the proceedings, is personally invested in ensuring that [Mr.] Flynn’s prosecution ends, and has deep animosity toward those who investigated and prosecuted [Mr.] Flynn,'” the judge said.
Judge Sullivan continued, “And simultaneous to the President’s ‘running commentary,’ many of the President’s remarks have also been viewed as suggesting a breakdown in the ‘traditional independence of the Justice Department from the President.”
