KABUL (SW): The U.S. President Donald Trump's National Security Adviser Michael Flynn resigned on Monday.
The White House confirmed the resignation, announcing that Trump had named Lt. General Joseph Keith Kellogg, Jr. as acting national security adviser. Flynn's resignation comes after days of speculation about his status within the administration and intense scrutiny into his discussions about Russia prior to Trump's inauguration. Reports on Monday revealed that the Justice Department had earlier warned the White House that Flynn could be vulnerable to Russian blackmail.
"In the course of my duties as the incoming National Security Advisor, I held numerous phone calls with foreign counterparts, ministers, and ambassadors. These calls were to facilitate a smooth transition and begin to build the necessary relationships between the President, his advisors and foreign leaders. Such calls are standard practice in any transition of this magnitude," Flynn wrote in his resignation letter, which was provided by the White House.
"Unfortunately, because of the fast pace of events, I inadvertently briefed the Vice President Elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian Ambassador. I have sincerely apologized to the President and the Vice President, and they have accepted my apology," Flynn continued.
According to the CNBC, Flynn had told Vice President Mike Pence he had not discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia with Russian officials in the weeks before Trump took office on Jan. 20, prompting Pence to defend him in subsequent television interviews. In recent days, Flynn acknowledged he might have discussed sanctions with the Russians but could not remember with 100 percent certainty, which officials said had upset Pence, who felt he had been misled. Officials said Flynn apologized to Pence twice, including in person on Friday.
The NBC reported that three candidates who could potential replace Flynn include Kellogg, Vice Admiral Bob Harward and retired General David Petraeus.
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