Rep. Tim Ryan: Flynn Resignation Is the 'Canary in the Coal Mine'

National Security adviser Mike Flynn's resignation is the "canary in the coal mine" of the administration's links to the Russian government, Democratic congressman Tim Ryan told the Washington Examiner.

"This is the pulling of the first string," Ryan said. "We don't know how it's going to unravel, but I think this is the canary in the coal mine of [President Donald] Trump's relationships to Russia, Flynn's relationship to Russia."

Flynn resigned over reports that he spoke with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak on the phone about former President Barack Obama's sanctions on Russia before Trump took office and then misled Vice President Mike Pence about the content of the call.

Ryan said Flynn's resignation is a troubling sign of chaos in the White House.

"I don't think anybody knows [how to steady the ship]," Ryan said. "I think they have a bunch of politicians and political people in the White House. They don't have anything … about having a rigorous process, about controlling information flows."

Ryan was one of some 40 House Democrats who, after the initial reports about the incident were revealed, signed a letter urging President Trump to suspend Flynn and deny him access to classified material, The Hill reports.

• National Security Adviser Michael Flynn Resigns
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