On Friday, CNN confirmed that former national security adviser Michael Flynn contacted Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) while he was cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.
"While he was cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn contacted at least one member of Congress who was publicly criticizing the special counsel probe, according to messages obtained by CNN," the report said.
Adding, "Flynn sent Twitter direct messages to Rep. Matt Gaetz, encouraging the Florida Republican to 'keep the pressure on.' It's not clear if Flynn sent additional messages to other lawmakers."
Gatez received the messages the night he appeared on Fox Business' "Lou Dobbs Tonight," where he criticized the Mueller probe.
"You stay on top of what you're doing. Your leadership is so vital for our country now. Keep the pressure on," Flynn wrote in the April 2018 message.
Flynn also sent GIFs to the lawmaker.
"Gaetz also received a message in February of this year. On the day that Attorney General William Barr was confirmed, Flynn sent Gaetz GIFs of a bald eagle and an American flag, without any accompanying text," the report said.
Adding, "The messages raise fresh questions about Flynn's contact with politically powerful people following his guilty plea in the Mueller probe. They add to a perception that has played out in Flynn's courtroom proceedings that he has modulated between helping the special counsel and stoking Mueller's critics in the Republican Party."
Gaetz said that he did not respond to the messages and had no prior relationship with Flynn. Flynn's attorney declined to comment on Friday according to CNN.
Read the full report here.
