FBI launches internal investigation into its handling of Michael Flynn case

FBI Director Christopher Wray on Friday ordered an internal investigation into the bureau's handling of the Michael Flynn case, just two weeks after the Justice Department declared that it was dropping the case against him and that federal investigators had no standing to interview the general in early 2017. 

Wray "today ordered the Bureau’s Inspection Division to conduct an after-action review of the Michael Flynn investigation," the FBI announced on Friday. 

The Inspection Division essentially functions similarly to an internal affairs office found in lower law enforcement agencies. 

Fox News reported on Friday that the bureau will seek to identify whether any current FBI officials "engaged in misconduct" during the investigation, as well as whether or not the agency can improve its investigation process moving forward. 

The bureau "does not have the ability to take any disciplinary action" against former employees, the FBI's statement said. 

Flynn's plight has received new attention in recent weeks, starting with the stunning Justice Department announcement at the beginning of the month. 

Following the department's decision, the judge overseeing the Flynn case, Emmet Sullivan, declined to immediately dismiss it per the recommendation from Justice, instead inviting an amicus curiae brief from retired Judge John Gleeson in support of continuing the case against the general.

Flynn's team this week filed an appeal requesting the dismissal of Sullivan and the barring of Gleeson's brief from the proceeding. A federal appeals court on Thursday agreed to hear Flynn's case against Sullivan, and also, in a rare directive, gave Sullivan an 11-day deadline to explain his handling of the ongoing trial.