Trump is “shocked” to hear that his former national security adviser, Lt.
Gen. Michael Flynn, was under investigation by the FBI, according to a person familiar with the president’s thoughts.
The report was published in the Sunday New York Times, which cited unnamed sources.
The president was briefed on the report early on Sunday, according the person.
The New York report was a “flaming embarrassment” for Trump, who had been briefed on Flynn’s status during a private Oval Office meeting with President Joe Biden last week, the person said.
Trump is the third president in history to be under investigation for a potential violation of the Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Former President Bill Clinton and his attorney general, Alberto Gonzales, were both investigated by the Justice Department.
Trump also faced pressure from his own attorney general and a number of other lawmakers to fire Flynn.
He declined to do so, instead seeking to fire FBI Director James Comey.
