Wisconsin deserves transparency on Gallagher's relationship with former National Security Advisor Flynn.

MADISON - In the wake of President Donald Trump’s former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn pleading guilty to lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation today, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin renews the calls for Rep. Mike Gallagher to finally denounce Flynn’s support and condemn his criminal behavior.

Gallagher’s constituents deserve to know the details behind his involvement with Flynn, including a high-priced fundraiser where his supporters paid $5,400 a piece to join a “Homeland Security & Anti-Terrorism Round Table discussion with the General [Flynn]” or get a “photo opp” with him for $2,700. Flynn came to Wisconsin to headline a Gallagher fundraiser hosted by the Republican Party of Waukesha County on June 1, 2016.

Even before today’s bombshell news, it was disconcerting that Gallagher enthusiastically welcomed support from Flynn, a man who regularly spread fake news, shared anti-Semitic and Islamophobic media postings and was forced out of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for erratic and untruthful behavior.

Since Flynn’s forced resignation as National Security Advisor, Gallagher has refused to disavow Flynn, despite the fact that Flynn was secretly lobbying for the Turkish government, lied to the vice president and was vulnerable to blackmail as a result.

Now that Flynn has pleaded guilty to the extremely serious offense of making false statements to the FBI, Gallagher should do the right thing and disavow Flynn’s support as well as disclose the details of all political advocacy and communications he and his campaign had with Flynn.