Trump defends former security adviser's actions after election

President Trump said former security adviser Michael Flynn's actions after the US presidential election were legal and "there is nothing to hide".

Former national security adviser Michael Flynn and President Donald Trump. Photo: AP.

"I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pleaded guilty to those lies," US President Donald Trump posted on Twitter on December 3. However, Presidentadded that Mr. Flynn's actions during the transition were "lawful." "There is nothing to hide," Mr. Trump wrote.

On the same day, Mr. Trump said there was "absolutely no collusion" between his presidential campaign and Russia.

Trump's announcement came after former national security adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. Flynn is the first member of the Trump administration to plead guilty to a crime uncovered in the wide-ranging investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 US presidential election and possible collusion between Trump aides and Moscow.

Under a pre-trial agreement between the parties, Mr. Flynn could face up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $9,500. On December 1, Mr.ng agreed to cooperate with the investigation.

Retired US Army Major General Flynn has admitted in court in Washington that he lied to FBI investigators about a discussion last December withSergei Kislyak,Russian ambassador to the US at that time.

The two discussed US sanctions on Russia and Mr Flynn suggested heKislyak helped delay a vote at the United Nations that was seen as damaging to Israel, prosecutors said.

Mr Flynn was also asked by a “very senior member” of Mr Trump’s transition team to contact Russia and other foreign governments in an attempt to influence them ahead of the vote, prosecutors said.

Reuters sources said the “very senior” transition official was Jared Kushner, Mr Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser. Mr Kushner’s lawyer did not respond to requests for comment.

Flynn, the former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, served as Trump's national security adviser for just 24 days. He was forced to resign after being found to have lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his conversations withKislyak.

According to VNE