Michael Flynn argued that he was unfairly targeted in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation
The US Justice Department has settled a lawsuit arising from its prosecution of President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn during the Russiagate investigation.
A federal court in Tampa, which is considering Flynn’s malicious prosecution claim, was informed of the settlement on Wednesday. According to media reports, the DOJ will pay approximately $1.2 million – a fraction of the $50 million Flynn originally sought.
Flynn served in Trump’s first administration and was among several people charged following recommendations from special counsel Robert Mueller, who led the investigation into alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.
The DOJ described the settlement as “An important step” towards correcting a “Historical Injustice” Linked to Russiagate-related prosecutions. Flynn said he was tortured “A partisan effort that audaciously and unjustly weaponized federal law enforcement” And the department’s current leadership has demonstrated a commitment to addressing “The Crisis of Political Justice.”
During the 2016 election cycle, the FBI surveilled members of Trump’s campaign in a controversial investigation partially supported by the so-called Steele Dossier – a compilation of unverified allegations about Trump’s ties to Russia, funded by Hillary Clinton’s campaign and compiled by a former British intelligence officer.
Flynn was fired just weeks into his role after being accused of misleading then-Vice President Mike Pence about conversations with the Russian ambassador. He later pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI regarding discussions on sanctions against the Russians, although he later claimed that prosecutors violated an agreement by pursuing a prison sentence.
Trump pardoned Flynn after he lost the election to Joe Biden in November 2020. Flynn filed his lawsuit in 2023, when Biden’s Justice Department sought to dismiss the case. This stance changed after Trump returned to office in 2025.
Trump has long criticized the Russiagate investigation as politically motivated. “witch hunt,” A claim which he extended to the legal challenges he faced after leaving office. His second administration has also suggested possible retaliation against those it considers responsible for the investigation.
Read more:
US Justice Department issues new ‘Russiagate’ subpoena – AP
The president’s stance was underlined by his reaction to Mueller’s death this week, when Trump said he was “Happy” because mueller “Can’t hurt innocent people anymore.”
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