Trump declares Flynn 'innocent man' and 'warrior,' after Justice Department moved to drop case

President Trump on Thursday praised his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, after learning that the Justice Department moved to drop its case against the retired Army general, declaring the vindicated Flynn an “innocent man.” 

“He was an innocent man,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “Now in my book he’s an even greater warrior.”

Trump spoke after the department recommended a federal judge reverse the conviction of Flynn and drop the criminal charges, a stunning reversal in a case that became a powerful symbol of FBI misconduct in the Russia investigation.

The government's motion must still be granted by U.S. Judge District Judge Emmet Sullivan, and came an hour after the lead prosecutor in the case withdrew.

Timeline of Justice Department's Case Against Michael Flynn

In the motion, the government said the recent revelations from evidence withheld from the court warranted the recommendation.

Among the revelations was that the FBI interview in which Flynn was accused of lying was not warranted by law because agents had already concluded there was no criminal conduct or collusion with Russia by the retired general.

Flynn had pleaded guilty to lying to FBI in connection to the Russia investigation, but recently moved to vacate the plea agreement, as part of a new and aggressive legal strategy as move evidence emerged.

Trump's comments were followed by storm of tweets from Flynn supporters including some from senior Iowa GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley. 

Grassley over two tweets said: Yet another big blow 2 Russia probe ... DOJ drops case agnst decorated 30yr veteran Lt Gen Michael Flynn after new DOJ / FBI docs surface that his lawyers shld hv had long ago Such malpractice cannot stand Flynn/America deserve accountability #FLYNNFREED. ... Someone remind me y we needed $30M+ Mueller collusion investigation?

"What happened to Gen. Flynn was a travesty," Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee tweeted. "This is why we need real FISA reform when the Senate debates reauthorization next week."

"Flynn case dropped! Justice for the General," House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Rep. Jim Jordan tweeted. "Now it's time to hold someone accountable."

".@GenFlynn is exonerated—a win for our justice system and a win for individual rights," House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy declared. "Comey's FBI failed one of our own citizens. This should have never happened," the California Republican also said.

Former House Oversight Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy on Thursday blasted former FBI Director James Comey during an interview with Fox News's Martha MacCallum.

"Jim Comey, I got the title for his next book: 'How My Arrogance Ruined the Reputation of the World's Premier Law Enforcement Agency'—that's your next title. It's long, but the book is long," Gowdy said.

While some people praised the news about Flynn, others lambasted the DOJ.

"This is outrageous!" House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) exclaimed in a tweet  in which he also described the DOJ as "politicized."