What consequences will it have that National Security Adviser Michael Flynn will plead the 5th to the investigation of possible Russian interference in the election?

He could be doing it for himself, or because certain information is confidential and cannot be shared under any circumstances, in that case, it could be him doing it for the country/he will get in big trouble otherwise. Some information that the US government has could get us in very, very big trouble if other countries find out that we have it.

I’m not 100% sure, but I do not believe you can force anyone to testify. Especially one who works so high up in the government. A judge might be able to deny a plea if the reasoning isn’t good, but again, I’m not sure. If they really wanted/needed him to testify they could possibly hold him in contempt until he decides to. But I’m thinking that if his reasoning for taking the plea is something along the lines of “This is highly confidential information, and I cannot share it with unauthorized people”, they can’t do anything about it.

I believe they already have enough to bring charges and win. I think he is still trying to get immunity.

He wouldn’t (have to) plead the 5th if the information asked for was classified and the special counsel didn’t have the right clearance.

Being that Flynn previously asked for immunity in exchange for his testimony, didn’t they expect that he would plead the fifth? Why even bother to ask for subpoenas?

@LostInParadise because they are going to throw him in jail for contempt of court because he was subpoenaed !

He is exercising his constitutional right to not testify against himself.

But his lack of cooperation takes any chance of leniency off the table. That is unless Trump has told him he will get pardoned.

That makes sense, but it implies there is some other way of getting the information.

None. Nada.

Flynn really isn’t the main attraction any more; it has gone way past him. Consider him a sideshow at this point.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Trump had a mob contract out on Flynn…

So far he is defying a Senate subpoena, where Republicans won’t be making an honest effort at investigation anyway.

The criminal investigation is a different matter. Flynn will probably get convicted whether he testifies or not. If Trump is still President, a pardon is certain. With Pence (or Ryan or Hatch or whoever) I say a pardon is 75% likely.