President Trump's former national security advisor Michael Flynn expressing gratitude on Thanksgiving after being granted a full pardon by the president. Saying in a statement he can, quote, "breathe freedom and liberty." And going on to say, "never again should any family or individual be so viciously targeted, malign, smeared, and threatened. Such has been the experience of my family and I. Not you, or your loved ones, not me, nor President Trump." Flynn had twice pled get guilty after admitting to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russian officials. My next guest was the first Trump campaign aide to be charged in the Mueller probe, sent to 14 days in prison for lying to the FBI about his interactions with Russians, and now he hopes President Trump will step in. George Papadopoulos is former Trump campaign foreign policy adviser and author of "Deep State Target: How I Got Caught in the Crosshairs of the Plot to Bring Down President Trump." George, thanks for being here tonight. First, I'm going to assume you believe this was a very appropriate action for President Trump to take with Michael Flynn?
Thanks for having me, Will. And absolutely. What happened to General Flynn was an injustice, it was a stain on our history -- on the history of our country. And it's something that actually should have never happened in the beginning. General Flynn is a three-star general who served his country honorably. And I think the president did the right thing. He tried to rectify this major injustice. I think many see that. In fact, the Wall Street Journal have said the following when it comes to this case with Michael Flynn said, congratulations, Mr.Trump for sparing an innocent man who served his country well but was ill served by too many of his countrymen. George, I understand you were hoping to find a similar pardon in your future from President Trump, is that right? Look, I want the facts to speak for themselves in my case. We can't forget that the Russia investigation, if you will, was the biggest story in modern political history. And we still have not closed the chapter on this particular story.
