Dam with even more rain on its way. Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the lead. Im jake tapper. The dow closing at 20,500 today, a new high. Lots of news going on. But first were going to begin with the politics lead. After a long and winding road of lies and miss direction going back at least a month, the search for a new National Security advisor for President Trump is now in full swing with the resignation of former general Michael Flynn. A man the president had at his right hand throughout the entire general election, and the transition, and the first three weeks of his presidency. Now, this all seemed to start in late december when flynn spoke on the phone with russias ambassador to the United States and despite general flynns later denials, the two of them clearly discussed Obama Administration sanctions newly imposed and the possibility of revisiting them later. What could clearly be perceived as the Incoming Administration undermining the Obama Administration literally providing aid and comfort to an american foe, if not enemy. Now, a couple of weeks later on january 14, vicepresident pence spoke to general flynn who assured him sanctions had not been discussed with the Russian Ambassador. That was not true. The vicepresident repeated that lie the next day on cbs. What i can confirm having spoken to him about it is that those conversations happened to occur around the time that the United States took action to expel diplomats had nothing whatsoever to do with those sanctions. Then on january 26, after acting attorney general sally yat yates, an Obama Administration hold over, warned the white House Counsel that the content of the call not surprisingly u. S. Intelligence monitors the phone calls of foreign ambassadors, moreover yates to the white house, flynns misleading statements could leave him open to russian blackmail. The white House Counsel then informed President Trump of the situation. Now, all of that was confirmed today right from the mouth of President Trumps own press Secretary Sean Spicer. As i mentioned, the first day that the department of justice made white House Counsel available or sought to notify white House Counsel was january 26. The president was immediately informed of the situation. So, President Trump had been immediately informed of the situation on january 26 and yet flynn remained on the job. Nothing changed until the Washington Post broke the story. But here is what President Trump told reporters and by extension you the public when asked about the story last week. I dont know about it. I havent seen it. What report is that . I havent seen it. Reporting that flynn talked to the ambassador of russia before you were inaugurated about sanctions i havent seen it. Ill look at that. Would you consider that to be a truthful, honest and forthcoming answer by the president about the National Security scandal . And another question, this one for the white house. Did President Trump lose confidence in his National Security advisor because general flynn made that call and then lied about it to the public and to members of the administration . Or did President Trump lose confidence in flynn because we found out about the calls and the lies . Cnn senior White House Correspondent jim accosta is live for us on the north lawn. Jim, we are just learning right now that the fbi apparently interviewed general flynn in the early days of the administration, thats according to a white house official. Reporter thats right, jake. Cnn has confirmed from a white house official that fbi agents did interview the former National Security advisor Michael Flynn about that phone call with the Russian Ambassador in the early days of the administration. No word yet what the outcome of that interview was or what the department of justice is doing with that information. But, jake, clearly at this point the white house is putting the blame squarely on Michael Flynn for misleading the administration about the call with the Russian Ambassador and the white house insisted the president was not misleading reporters himself when he maintained he didnt know about the story. One thing after the Trump Administration offered conflicting stories about the fate of now former National Security advisor Michael Flynn, the white house tried to give one simple explanation. Flynn lost the trust of the president and it was time to go. The evolving and eroding level of trust as a result of this situation in a series of other questionable instances is what led the president to ask for general flynns resignation. Reporter White House PressSecretary Sean Spicer said it was flynn who sealed his own fate by misleading top official official including the vicepresident about his phone conversation about sanctions with the Russian Ambassador during the transition. But spicer declined to say whether flynn had intentionally lied about the call. I dont know that it was intentional. He may have just forgotten, but i think at some point trust but thats the point, jim. At some point that trust eroded to a point where the president did not feel comfortable with him serving in that position and asked for and received his resignation. Reporter flynn would only say he inadvertently briefed the Vice President elect about the phone call with the Russian Ambassador. They say there were questions about the story. Last month the Justice Department relayed its concerns about the call to don mcgahn who informed the president. Spicer says a white house investigation concluded there was nothing illegal about flynns actions. All of that raises questions as to why the president claimed he didnt know about a report about the matter when he was asked about it friday. I dont know about it. I havent seen it. What report is that . I havent seen that. Im look at that. He was asked was he aware of a Washington Post story. He hadnt seen that at the time. Reporter spicer deflected questions about what the president knew and when he knew it by claiming mr. Trump had been tough on russia. The irony is the president has been incredibly tough on russia. To a lot of americans it seems this president has not been tough on russia. How did you say that . Theres a difference between the president wanting to have an understanding of how a Good Relationship with russia can help us defeat isis and terrorism throughout the world. Look, the Obama Administration tried to have a reset with russia. They failed. Reporter and there are other questions such as why white House Counselor Kellyanne Conway seemed to back up flynn just hours before he resigned. General flynn does enjoy the full confidence of the president. Were you out of the loop on this . No, not at all. Both were true. The president is very loyal. Hes a very loyal person and by nights end mike flynn had decided it was best to resign. He knew he had become a lightning rod and he made that decision. Reporter clearly frustrated by the spectacle Top Republicans say the president had no other choice. You cannot have a National Security advisor misleading the vicepresident and others. So, i think the president was right to ask for his resignation and i believe it was the right thing to do. Reporter now, the white house says the president was not a aware of flynns conversation about sanctions with the Russian Ambassador at the time, but when asked a critical question, jake, whether trump aides had contact with the russians during the campaign, that is one of the lingering questions for the president. Press Secretary Sean Spicer said he could not say one way or the other. So, answers today, jake, but also more questions. Jim, do we have any determination as to whether he was fired or he resigned because he wanted to resign . Were getting two messages from the white house. Reporter absolutely. Top officials were telling me and other reporters late last night, jake, that this was not the president s decision, that this was Michael Flynns decision. He had decided on his own to step aside. But, of course, and you heard in that clip there from Kellyanne Conway on the today show as of this morning, she was also making that same claim. Now, later on in the day, something occurred and the white house determined that they felt that the president was the one who had asked Michael Flynn to step aside, but clearly this is a huge contradiction in terms of what the events were that happened over the last 24 hours up until last night we were being told that flynn decided to step aside on his own, that the president was, quote, hang ng in there was the way it was described to me by one Senior Administration official. But that story changed today, jake. Might be easier to tell the truth and stick with it. Jim accosta, thank you so much. Flynns resignation is not the end of this. Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell the head republican in the senate says it is highly likely the Senate Intelligence community will look at flynns communications with the russianal bass gor. Roy blunt of missouri on the intelligence skmee and member of the Republican Leadership as well also called for an investigation into connection between President Trump and russia. He also says flynn needs to talk. Cnns Phil Mattingly joins me from capitol hill. Phil, can we expect House Republicans to continue to carry the water for the white house on this matter and leave the oversight responsibility of the legislative branch entirely up to the senate . Look, as far as what we heard today, it looks like the answer to that is yes. Now, the House Intelligence Committee also has an investigation into russian metling going on. The republican side of things seemed to defend mike flynn or go after the idea that leaks need to be investigated. Not so in the senate, though, jake. Just a couple of minutes ago in this hallway down behind me, the Senate IntelligenceCommittee Just broke up from a classified meeting where they discussed this issue specifically. And why does this matter . This is the investigation that by all accounts, if there is going to be one that has teeth, it will be this one. And if you want to know why, vice chairman mark warner, virginia senator of this bipartisan committee, told me this morning he wants mike flynn to testify in front of this panel. Take a listen. I think it would be appropriate for mr. Flynn now that he has resigned to testify. I think we need to know what he knows and not just in terms of these conversations, which clearly he indicated by his own admission that he did not fully disclose information to the vicepresident. But i think there is more to come on this subject. Reporter now, heres why this Committee Matters more than any other. They have subpoena power and they laid out explicitly when they announced their investigation into russian meddling in the election, they are specifically going to be looking into Campaign Contacts with russian intelligence, something that senator warner made very clear would include the contacts with general Michael Flynn. Now, the big question going forward, though, will this investigation matter. An interesting comment from senator bob corker, chairman of a very Important SenateForeign Relations panel. Listen to what he told me. My sense says this is going to end up driving further looks into this by congress and as it should be. Reporter so, do you think committees well, you know, look, there is so much about this. I think for many reasons just to put it to bed. Reporter and, jake, thats been the prevailing view that ive heard from several Senate Republican aides today. They recognize this isnt going away any time soon. Democrats have made clear they are not going to let it go away any time soon. There needs to be an investigation of some sort while republicans dont want an independentled inquiry, they are certainly willing as you know from senate Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell to let the Senate Intelligence committee do their work, jake. Phil mattingly on cap a tal hill for us today. Thank you so much. Right as russian relationship of general flynn cost him his job at the white house, a secret missile deployment, one the United States says ends the treaty that led to the end of the cold war. And russian spy ship shotted off the east coast of the United States. Cnns Michelle Kosinski is live at the state department. Is it possible these pokes and proddings are a coincidence in terms of timing . Reporter probably not. Were seeing it all. The spy ship floating off of delaware, it is in international waters, by the way. Stepped up of its missile that it violates a treaty. Both of those weve known about and have made appearances before. Were seeing these unsafe provocative maneuvers by russian planes against a u. S. Ship in the black sea. Were seeing this all within a matter of days of each other. Its confusing because russia says it wants a Good Relationship with the u. S. The Trump Administration says its open to a Good Relationship with russia. But this is clearly russia asserting itself. Doesnt like the sanctions that the Obama Administration put on it. After the allegations of hacking, it doesnt like those accusations leveled against it. It doesnt like the russia phobia it keeps saying the u. S. Has toward it. Its russia clearly putting itself out there, making itself known in these somewhat provocative ways. And the u. S. Is, you know, moving forward and trying to still work together, at least, in some areas. All right, Michelle Kosinski live at the state department for us. Thank you so much. Senate minority leader chuck schumer, democrat of new york, says he wants an independent investigation with the power to bring criminal charges against former general Michael Flynn. What are the chances that will happen . Well talk to the chairman of the Senate ForeignRelations Committee next. Refund should la. All. Year. Long. Dont waste it on a pricey wireless plan. Lose the contracts, mystery fees and overages. Switch to straight talk. To get coverage on americas largest and most dependable. 4g lte networks. For half the cost. Thats right. Half. Get any of the latest samsung phones or bring your own phone. Unlimited talk, text and data is 45 bucks a month. And nothing more. Straight talk wireless. Only at walmart. At planters, we put fresh roawhich has its drawbacks. An, guys, know anything about this missing inventory . Wasnt me the cheeks dont lie, chet. Irresistibly planters. Withevery late night. G. And moment away. With every click. Call. Punch. And paycheck. 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