DHS head: Not concerned Flynn may have been influenced by foreign nation

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly on Thursday defended Michael Flynn, saying he’s not concerned by reports that the former national security adviser accepted payments from foreign governments.

“It’s beyond any ability to imagine that Mike would be anything other than a loyal, patriotic American,” Kelly told Fox News of Flynn.

“I don’t know about the rest of it. I read the paper. There’s a few more revelations. It does not concern me that Michael Flynn may have been influenced by another nation.” 

{mosads}Kelly dismissed concerns about the vetting process for top officials in the administration, citing his recent security check experience where they disregarded his 25 years of holding a top secret security clearance. 

“Having gone through it, Neil, it’s the most excruciating experience of my life. I held a top secret SCI clearance for 25 years in the Marine Corps. Every year we had to do financial disclosure statements, periodic polygraphs in some cases, in many cases. No, I think it’s right where it ought to be,” he told Fox’s Neil Cavuto. 

“I can’t imagine how much tighter it could be.” 

Kelly said individuals could forget to include certain information while they go through the extensive security vetting, adding that he is not talking specifically about Flynn. 

“The fact that maybe an individual — I’m not suggesting General Flynn did this, but an individual may forget to put something down,” he said.

House Oversight Committee ranking member Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) on Thursday released a letter revealing the Pentagon is investigating whether Flynn accepted payments from Russian officials without prior approval.

Earlier this week, Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) said Flynn could have violated the law by not disclosing the payments.

“As a former military officer, you simply cannot take money from Russia, Turkey or anybody else,” Chaffetz said. “And it appears as if he did take that money. It was inappropriate, and there are repercussions for a violation of law.”