Proving that the news never sleeps—especially when it’s news about Donald Trump’s Russia ties—the New York Times is reporting that former national security adviser Michael Flynn may be cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller.
Mr. Flynn’s lawyers had been sharing information with Mr. Trump’s lawyers about the investigation by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, who is examining whether anyone around Mr. Trump was involved in Russian efforts to undermine Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.
That agreement has been terminated, the four people said. Defense lawyers frequently share information during investigations, but they must stop when doing so would pose a conflict of interest. It is unethical for lawyers to work together when one client is cooperating with prosecutors and another is still under investigation.
It’s possible that Flynn’s lawyers are just negotiating with Mueller and won’t reach an agreement, but:
A deal with Mr. Flynn would give Mr. Mueller a behind-the-scenes look at the Trump campaign and the early tumultuous weeks of the administration. Mr. Flynn was an early and important adviser to Mr. Trump, an architect of Mr. Trump’s populist “America first” platform and an advocate of closer ties with Russia. [...]
Mr. Flynn is regarded as loyal to Mr. Trump, but he has in recent weeks expressed serious concerns to friends that prosecutors will bring charges against his son, Michael Flynn Jr., who served as his father’s chief of staff and was a part of several financial deals involving the elder Mr. Flynn that Mr. Mueller is scrutinizing.
Flynn would be a considerably bigger fish than George Papadopoulos if he cooperated—and the charges against former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort must show him that Mueller is serious and that the danger to himself and his son could be real.