Adam Schiff accuses Trump administration of rewarding 'corrupt loyalty' with Michael Flynn settlement
After the Department of Justice (DOJ) settled for roughly $1.2 million, a lawsuit with President Donald Trump's former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, Democrat Senator Adam Schiff took to X to accuse the Trump administration of being corrupt. Calling the federal government a "racketeering organisation," Schiff wrote, "Trump cronies at DOJ pay him $1.25 million of your taxpayer money to reward him for his corrupt loyalty." Flynn had pleaded guilty during Trump's first term to lying about phone conversations with a top Russian diplomat before being pardoned by President Trump.
NEW: DOJ has reached a financial settlement with Michael Flynn, the conservative activist and former Trump adviser who sought millions for what he alleged was a politically motivated prosecution. No $ details in court notice today, more to come https://t.co/OeR01dUS65
— Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) March 25, 2026
Prev:… pic.twitter.com/nXbPCvYiVe
The payout, finalized on March 25, aims to resolve a $50 million "malicious prosecution" lawsuit filed by Flynn in 2023. One of six Trump associates charged as part of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into potential ties between Russia and Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, Flynn had alleged that the FBI's investigation into his contacts with a Russian diplomat was politically motivated. The White House had echoed a similar sentiment. "General Flynn should not require a pardon. He is an innocent man. Even the FBI agents who interviewed General Flynn did not think he was lying," the White House Press Secretary had said in a statement after the President decided to pardon Flynn.
Flynn pled guilty to lying to the FBI. Twice.
— Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) March 26, 2026
Now, Trump cronies at DOJ pay him $1.25 million of your taxpayer money to reward him for his corrupt loyalty.
The federal government … as racketeering organization. https://t.co/TWpcW3xkUB
Following the settlement, the Department of Justice called the FBI's investigation a "hoax." "Those who instigated the Russia Collusion Hoax and Crossfire Hurricane abused their power to mislead the American people and tarnish the reputations of President Trump and his supporters," a DOJ spokesperson said in a statement, as per the BBC. Flynn, meanwhile, said, "No amount of money or formal resolution can erase the pain caused by a prosecution that should never have been brought."
BREAKING: Flynn Family statement about today’s DOJ settlement regarding my case.
— General Mike Flynn (@GenFlynn) March 26, 2026
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Today, after ten years of fighting, I have reached a settlement agreement with the United States Government in my case regarding the Russian Hoax FBI lawfare against me.
Nothing can… pic.twitter.com/kTZiqCHSY8
Democrats, however, feel that the settlement undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent for the country. Senator Mark Warner said that the DOJ's action "demeans the work of the men and women who safeguard our national security." "The Department of Justice’s reported decision to pay out more than a million of the taxpayers' dollars to Michael Flynn is as outrageous as it is indefensible," Warner wrote on X.
The Department of Justice’s reported decision to pay out more than a million of the taxpayer’s dollars to Michael Flynn is as outrageous as it is indefensible. (1/5)
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) March 26, 2026
"At a moment when threats from abroad are growing more complex and more dangerous, we should be reinforcing the principle that no one is above the law, not rewriting history to benefit those who violated the public trust," Warner added. GOP lawmakers, meanwhile, have supported the DOJ's decision, arguing that the settlement provides a "long-overdue" correction to investigative overreach.
