17/ my own interpretation (without huge confidence) is that Flynn, as instructed (and quite reasonably) asked Kislyak to let new admin look at things and, in a general sense, not to escalate, but expected some sore of reciprocal action. On specifics of expulsion + closures, Flynn
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28/ in my interpretation of sequence set out above, it appeared to me that Kislyak-Flynn conversation took place prior to Flynn being aware of terms of Obama admin announcement (~2:15 pm), but Mueller indicates that call was in evening of Dec 29pic.twitter.com/NL6euF9syU
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29/ incoming Trump admin didn't want the departing Obama admin to escalate tensions as a sort of parting booby trap. Trump is also reported to have interpreted Obama's action as an attempt to "delegitimize election" - an interpretation that seems quite reasonable in retrospectpic.twitter.com/Hwo7ZUb4jh
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30/ as is Flynn called Kislyak and asked that Russia not make the situation worse. Recognizing that there was a new incoming administration, Russia decided not to escalate.pic.twitter.com/sonGZh7p2J
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31/ on Dec 31, Kislyak called Flynn to convey that Russia had decided not to escalate tensions.pic.twitter.com/QuKTwhjKKw
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32/ description of events thus far in Mueller Report more or less follows Indictment. Now something new from Mary McCord's interview. FBI already had open "investigation of Flynn based on his relationship with Russian government". His contacts with Kislyak were "key component"pic.twitter.com/nB2algdfZx
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33/ on what predicate did FBI open investigation into Flynn's "relationship with Russian government"? When did they open investigation? Did they have surveillance on Flynn? For how long?
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34/ McCord's evidence suggests that story about Flynn's discussion with Kislyak being incidentally picked up during routine surveillance of Kislyak is a legend. It seems more likely that they were surveilling Flynn and pick-up of conversation was NOT incidental.
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End of conversation
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