Michael Flynn has resigned as Donald Trump’s national security adviser following mounting allegations that he illegally discussed sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador to the US, according to one person familiar with the decision.
Earlier on Monday, the White House said Mr Trump was “evaluating the situation”. But an official said Mr Flynn had resigned on Monday evening amid scrutiny over allegations that he broke the law and concern that he had lied to White House officials about the case.
Mr Flynn will be temporarily succeeded by Keith Kellogg, a retired army general who had been serving as chief of staff on the National Security Council. The official said Mr Trump was considering three people as a permanent replacement, including David Petraeus, a retired general and former head of the Central Intelligence Agency. The other contenders for the position are vice-admiral Robert Harward, the deputy commander of the US military’s Central Command, and Mr Kellogg himself.