The White House is facing mounting pressure to explain the relationship between President Donald Trump and the Kremlin, after Michael Flynn was fired as national security adviser following claims that he may have illegally discussed sanctions with Russia’s ambassador to Washington.
The abrupt ousting of Mr Flynn after 24 days in the White House role has intensified the focus on the Trump administration’s ties to Russia and made it impossible for the White House to convince sceptics that all is smooth inside the West Wing.
Mr Flynn was fired on Monday as scrutiny mounted into claims that he discussed US sanctions against Russia in calls with the Russian ambassador before Mr Trump’s inauguration — a possible breach of a 1799 law — and then misled Mike Pence, vice-president, about the calls. US media reported that the justice department had warned the White House weeks ago that this made Mr Flynn susceptible to blackmail.