Trump Takes Another Hit After Obama Officials Cleared of Flynn Unmasking
Former President Donald Trump's efforts to dismiss the Democrats' claims of Russian collusion were dealt a second blow this week after a newly disclosed report revealed that the Justice Department cleared members of the Obama administration over the unmasking of Michael Flynn.
On Wednesday, Buzzfeed News obtained and published the previously classified document from then-U.S. Attorney John Bash's 2020 investigation into the practice of unmasking, one of several probes ordered by Trump's attorney general, William Barr, to undermine investigations into Trump's ties to Russia.
The full report revealed that Bash not only concluded the review without criminal charges, but he had also determined that "no unmasking requests made before Election Day that sought the identity of an apparent associate of the Trump campaign"a conclusion that shattered Trump's allegations.
The release of Bash's findings comes just a day after Michael Sussmann, a lawyer whose firm represented Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, was acquitted of false-statement chargers stemming from Trump's special counsel John Durham's three-year investigation.
Sussmann was accused of lying to federal investigators about his ties to Clinton when he provided a tip about a possible backchannel between Trump's 2016 campaign and Kremlin-backed Alfa Bank.
Throughout his presidency, Trump and other Republicans repeatedly accused senior Obama officials of deliberately targeting his associatesspecifically Flynn, who briefly served as national security adviser to Trumpby using their positions to request their names be revealed on certain intelligence documents.
While Bash's decision not to prosecute anyone was reported back in 2020, the full 52-page report revealed just how resoundingly the details of the investigation rejected Trump's claims.
"I have not found evidence that senior U.S. officials unmasked the identities of U.S. persons contained in intelligence reports for political purposes or other inappropriate reasons during the 2016 election period or the ensuing transition period," Bash wrote in his report.
Examining "whether any senior officials had obtained General Flynn's identity in connection with those communications through an unmasking request made during the transition period," Bash concluded: "The answer is no."
Bash found that while the FBI shared transcripts of Flynn's calls with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak outside the Bureau without masking Flynn's name, "Nothing about the content suggests that officials were seeking derogatory information about General Flynn or were otherwise inappropriately targeting him."
Although Flynn pleaded guilty to a felony count of "willingly and knowingly" making false statements denying his discussion of sanctions with Kislyak in 2017, Barr's DOJ dismissed the case against him and Flynn was later pardoned by Trump before he left office.
Newsweek reached out to Trump for comment.
See the rest here:
Trump Takes Another Hit After Obama Officials Cleared of Flynn Unmasking
- Obama reacts to Biden diagnosis: 'Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer...than Joe' - Fox News - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Obama says Biden will fight cancer with 'resolve and grace' - The Hindu - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Sends a Message to the Biden Family After Bombshell Cancer Diagnosis - The Daily Beast - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Obama, Trump, Harris and other political leaders react to Biden's cancer diagnosis - ABC News - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- 'There are a lot of treatments': Fmr. Obama health advisor on Biden's cancer prognosis - MSNBC News - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Former President Barack Obama to speak at The Connecticut Forum in June - NBC Connecticut - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama 2.0 the reinvention of the former first lady - The Guardian - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Jokes Barack Obama Is 'Afraid' of This 1 Thing in Very Relatable Marriage Moment - People.com - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama: The No. 1 parenting strategy my mom used to raise confident childrenit prepared me in ways I couldnt imagine - CNBC - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Reveals the 1 Surprising Marriage 'Deal' She Has with Barack Obama - People.com - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- In Hur Interviews, Biden Forgot Names of Jay Leno, Obama Sec Def, and Thought Africa Was a Country - The Daily Signal - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Barack Obama coming to Connecticut this spring - WTNH.com - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Letters: The opposition to Donald Trumps immigration crackdown was quiet during the Obama years - Chicago Tribune - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Joe Biden prostate cancer diagnosis draws reactions from Trump, Obama, Rubio and other leaders - CBS News - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Obama-Appointed Judge Blocks Trumps Bid to Revamp Institute of Peace - The Daily Signal - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama calls out Ellen DeGeneres for forcing her to do this on talk show: Im the first lady - New York Post - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama react to Joe Biden's cancer diagnosis - Daily Mail - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama issue joint statement as they react to Joe Biden's cancer diagnosis - hellomagazine.com - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama recalls Ellen DeGeneres forcing her to do push-ups on talk show: 'I'm the first lady' - Entertainment Weekly - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Joe Biden Breaks Silence On Cancer Diagnosis As Donald Trump, Barack Obama & More React - Access Hollywood - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Amidst divorce rumors, here's what Barack Obama posted on Mother's Day - Times of India - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Obama divorce rumors have swirled for months. Here's what we know - Snopes - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama admits to repeated battle with Barack in candid marriage conversation - Page Six - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Reveals Parenting Move Barack Disagreed With'I Was Wrong' - Newsweek - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- King Harald and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway Team Up to Host Former President Barack Obama - People.com - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Reveals Secret HGTV ObsessionAnd You'll NEVER Guess Her Favorite Show - House Beautiful - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Crime against the republic: Ex-Obama adviser slams Joe Biden aides for massive cover-up of cancer dia - Times of India - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- No one worked more to find treatments for cancer than Joe: Obama | Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer | Inshorts - Inshorts - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Joe Biden's 'aggressive' cancer diagnosis explained as Trump and Obama speak out - UNILAD - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Amy Poehler Admits to an Embarrassing Moment During Her First Scene with Michelle Obama on 'Parks and Rec' - People.com - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Barack Obama bracket 2025: March Madness picks, predictions from former president - USA TODAY - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Kylie Kelce Has Perfect Response to Hateful Michelle Obama Message - Newsweek - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama breaks her silence on possibility of 2028 presidential run - PennLive - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Obamas to have a third child to fight divorce rumors? Michelle Obama breaks silence on expanding their fa - The Times of India - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Says Barack Wanted a Third Child but She Wasn't on Board: Were Gonna Get a Crazy One - PEOPLE - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Has Two Very Important Reasons Why She Will Never, Ever Run For President - BuzzFeed - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- How a Lunch With Michelle Obama Led to Netflixs The Residence - Washingtonian - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Insight: The vanishing Obama presidency - The Anniston Star - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Why Michelle Obama Said No to Having a 3rd Baby With Barack Obama - E! Online - E! NEWS - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Will USC womens basketball raise another banner? Heres what Barack Obama has to say - AOL - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama and Kylie Kelce, Both 5'11", Agree That Tall Women Should Get Dibs on the Tall Guys - PEOPLE - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Former Obama official calls AOC one of Dems' most effective messengers - Fox News - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama worried about daughters Malia and Sasha turning up on Page Six while in the White House - Page Six - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama explains why she is not interested in politics after stepping back from spotlight - Page Six - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Kylie Kelce & Michelle Obama Bond Over Extremely Relatable Habit Theyre Often Teased About - Parade Magazine - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama reveals Barack Obama's wish for a third child amid divorce rumours: We should have a third - Hindustan Times - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama reveals the real reason she won't answer Democrat calls to run for president in 2028 - Daily Mail - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Is Still Taking the High Road on Social Media - Vanity Fair - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- UN resolution that passed on Obama admin 11th-hour abstention a mistake, US envoy says - JNS.org - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama reveals Barack's disappointment that she wouldn't have a third child amid divorce rumors - Daily Mail - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Hey, where's Barack Obama's NCAA bracket predictions in 2025? They were late! - For The Win - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Is In Her Rocker-Chic Hair Era and I Am Here For It - Yahoo Life - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama on why Sasha and Malia don't have other siblings - HOLA! USA - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- This is how Michelle Obama has kept her sanity when dealing with social media - Business Insider - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama on the Funny Reason She Said No When Barack Wanted Another Child - Harper's BAZAAR - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama to share unfiltered thoughts in new podcast 'IMO' with older brother - USA TODAY - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Is Barack Obama dating Jennifer Aniston? What to know about the rumors - PennLive - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- IMO with Michelle Obama review cleaning tips and long-winded platitudes - The Times - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama to Launch New Podcast With Sibling Craig Robinson - Hollywood Reporter - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Tiger Woods Biopic in the Works with Barack and Michelle Obama in Talks to Produce - PEOPLE - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama credits brother for convincing her to support Baracks presidential run - Yahoo Entertainment - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Former first lady Michelle Obama to visit Austin on Thursday - KVUE.com - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Democrats need to get over Michelle Obama - The Telegraph - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- In 2015, Obama committed the US to achieving UN global goals by 2030. Trump just rejected the goals - The Associated Press - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama launches podcast with her brother, Craig Robinson: Heres what to expect - HOLA! USA - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson, review: a podcast so shallow it would insult the nearest puddle - The Telegraph - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Will Michelle Obama speak about 'divorce' in new podcast with brother? - The Times of India - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama credits brother for convincing her to support Baracks presidential run - The Independent - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Opens Up About Divorce in the Family and Freedom in New Podcast - The Daily Beast - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- 24 Iowa counties among nation's top 100 for swing from Obama to Trump - Bleeding Heartland - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Could Dems have their first primary candidate for 2028? Former Obama official ready to enter the race - The Independent - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama reveals the truth about 'unusual' White House marriage - Tyla - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama announces video podcast with brother Craig Robinson - Axios - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Said This One Quality of Barack's Is Her Biggest Pet Peeve - InStyle - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama: My brother had to talk me into being first lady - The Telegraph - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama announces new podcast with brother Craig Robinson after stepping back from the spotlight - Page Six - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama premieres podcast with brother Craig Robinson: "We are living in complicated times" - Marca English - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Tiger Woods biopic in the works with Barack, Michelle Obama in talks to produce - ABC Digital Syndication - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama, Brother Craig Robinsons New Podcast Takes Off On YouTube, Talks Life Lessons And Relations - News18 - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Tiger Woods Biopic in the Works with Barack and Michelle Obama in Talks to Produce - MSN - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]