But getting paid by a foreign government to lobby the U.S. government while working for a political candidate presents a blatant conflict of interest in a matter like this.
Interestingly, this whole debacle relates to a comment I made back in late 2016 right here on FreeRepublic that is so relevant I'm tempted to go back and search for it. At the time, there was a story floating around about some of the challenges the Trump transition team was having in getting appointees lined up for cabinet posts because Trump was requiring all of them to sign an agreement that precluded them from working as a lobbyist for five years after they leave the Trump administration.
At the time, I said something to this effect: "That's great, but I'd insist on disqualifying any candidate for these cabinet posts who served as a lobbyist within the LAST five years, too."
Get straight on the issues here
Flynn retired, had a intel consultant business - got a contract to do an investigative study on a radical turkish dissident living in US
The contract was with a private company hq in netherlands. Not a govt, not the Turkish govt. Private individual - with links to Turk govt.
Contract lasted 3 months.Sep-Nov
Flynn sought advice from Trump campaign on registering. Got noncommital answer because he was not representing a govt nor lobbying in Congress
Finally Flynn did register
Contract ended Nov Flynn was paid for study he provided. The end
To private businessman, private company - albeit with link to Turk govt.
This is a really shaky basis on which to call a patriot “ treasonous”
Or even to call him a lobbyist
Clinton people otoh - were promoting an actual coup
Against the govt of a US ally
They walk free
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/10/us/politics/michael-flynn-turkey.html