Carper Statement on Gen. Michael Flynn

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, released the below statement following the announcement that President-elect Donald Trump has selected retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn to serve as his national security advisor.

“As a 23-year veteran of the Navy and Naval Reserves, I admire and thank General Flynn for his service to our country. As a decorated combat veteran who has served honorably over the course of his 33 years in our military, I know General Flynn understands the serious threats to our country. 

“However, comments he has made recently, particularly those equating all Muslims with those individuals who pervert this peaceful religion to serve their own twisted ideology, are deeply troubling. President-elect Trump has vowed to be a president for all Americans, but, with his selection of General Flynn, I don’t think he is making good on that promise. I know that General Flynn and I are united in our goal of defeating and destroying ISIS, but the inflammatory and hateful remarks he has made only further fuel those who wish to do us harm. In order to continue to take the fight to ISIS on the battlefield, we must be ready to keep working with Muslim Americans as well as our allies abroad from predominantly Muslim countries, and offensive generalizations about Islam are not only uncalled for, but entirely unproductive. If he is to assume this new role in the White House, it is my hope that General Flynn recognizes the error of his ways and takes a more thoughtful, constructive approach in dealing with the complex challenges we face moving forward.”