Michael Flynn (Photo: EPA-Yonhap News)
U.S. President Donald Trump has pardoned Michael Flynn, his former national security advisor, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI during an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
Trump tweeted on Wednesday that it was his "Great Honor" to announce that Flynn had been granted a full pardon.
He wrote, "Congratulations to (at)GenFlynn and his wonderful family, I know you will now have a truly fantastic Thanksgiving!"
A Justice Department official said they were not consulted on the pardon plan and only learned about it the same day.
Flynn was one of the first appointments Trump made when he entered the White House, but he was fired after 22 days on the job.
The retired Army general is now the second Trump associate convicted in the Russia probe to be granted clemency by the president.
Trump also commuted the sentence of longtime confidant Roger Stone just days before he was to report to prison.
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