WHAT DID TRUMP KNOW AND WHEN DID HE KNOW IT???!??!??!
Try to catch today’s White House press conference with Sean Spicer. The new Treasury Department director made a statement and took two or three questions from the Press but Sean rejoins the presser shortly thereafter. But, in that conference, your question is answered.
The story may change before I can get it out here, but never-the-less Spicer reported that the conversation between the Russian and bassador and Michael Flynn was announced by the Trump Administration during the transition. On the 13th of January, as were all other foreign contacts as they occurred, of congratulations, plans and discussions to meet after the inauguration.
However it was 13 days later on the 27th of January before Obama’s justice department came forward with any negative possibilities of harm that Flynn might be subject to blackmail for having a detailed conversation on sanctions. Does this make sense?
It was at that point that Trump first provided due process for Flynn, and launched a White House counsel investigation, with long interviews with Flynn and with others whom Flynn had made comments to within the Trump Administration, on the matter.
It was very convincing and emphasized no laws were broken and this was not a legal issue, but a trust issue, given Flynn could not remember exactly what was said to the ambassodor in their conversation. He admitted sanctions were discussed, but only after he had said they were not discussed. He had misrepresented the facts to the vice president and the conversations he had with others in the administration evidently did not tell either. Including with Sean Spicer, for example.