Rep. Kinzinger: 'Major Distraction' Flynn Did 'Honorable Thing'

Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger said Michael Flynn had become a "major distraction" but "did the honorable thing" by resigning as President Donald Trump's national security adviser.

Kinzinger told Fox News' "Fox & Friends" morning show Tuesday, as these things usually go, "the cover-up was worse than the crime" — but the Illinois Republican doubts it was even a crime.

"It was a bad decision to call Russia and talk about this in the middle of the past administration determining what sanctions were going to look like," Kinzinger said. "But what happened, the big problem is when he lied to the vice president, and he became a distraction to President Trump."

Kinzinger said he believes if Flynn had just been forthright about the nature of his conversation with the Russian ambassador he would still be a part of Trump's administration.

"It's when you lie to the vice president or say it didn't happen, put him on national TV, you're going to find yourself being a major distraction," Kinzinger said.

"As an honorable military man, which Gen. Flynn is, he called the president and said, 'Look, I'm a distraction to you. There's nothing more important than you being successful in your administration,'" Kinzinger said. "And did the honorable thing."

• Conway: Flynn Became a 'Lightning Rod'
• Lack of Trust Ultimately Behind Trump's Reason to Cut Flynn Loose