Flynn denies suggesting that Myanmar-style coup ‘should happen’ in US
Michael Flynn denied suggesting that a Myanmar-style coup “should happen” in the U.S. after coming under fire for making a remark at a convention appearing to suggest that one should happen.
Flynn, a former national security adviser to former President Trump, said in a Telegram post on Monday that there is “NO reason whatsoever for any coup in American, and I do not and have not at any time called for any action of that sort.”
“Any reporting of any other belief by me is a boldface fabrication based on twisted reporting at a lively panel at a conference of Patriotic Americans who love this country, just as I do,” he added.
“I am no stranger to media manipulating my words and therefore let me repeat my response to a question asked at the conference: There is no reason it (a coup) should happen here (in America),” Flynn continued.
The remark in question came during a conference hosted by supporters of the QAnon conspiracy theory.
Someone from the audience asked, “I want to know why what happened in Myanmar can’t happen here?”
After the crowd responded with cheers, Flynn responded, “No reason. I mean it, it should happen here.”
Many followers of QAnon believe that the military will help Trump regain power in the U.S.
Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands have been arrested since Myanmar’s military seized power and overtook the country’s government in February, according to the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners.
Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) responded to Flynn’s initial remark on Monday, saying “no American should advocate or support the violent overthrow of the United States.”
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby, when asked Tuesday about the Defense Department’s response to Flynn, said: “I’ve seen the press reports on that. And I’ve seen press reporting also that seemed to suggest that he was refuting those comments. The department’s not going to have an official comment one way or another on this.”
Updated at 4:38 p.m.