Trump and Putin, behind the scenes

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Michael Flynn and other advisers to Donald Trump's campaign were in contact with Russian officials and others with Kremlin ties in at least 18 calls and emails during the last seven months of the 2016 presidential race, current and former US officials familiar with the exchanges told Reuters. The previously undisclosed interactions form part of the record now being reviewed by FBI and congressional investigators examining Russian interference in the US presidential election and contacts between Trump's campaign and Russia. 

Conversations between Flynn and Kislyak accelerated after the November 8 vote as the two discussed establishing a back channel for communication between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that could bypass the US national security bureaucracy, which both sides considered hostile to improved relations, four current US officials said.

Trump campaign had at least 18 undisclosed conversations with Russians - Business Insider

On Wednesday, The Times reported that Flynn had informed the Trump transition team that he was under FBI investigation on January 4. According to The Times, Flynn told transition team member Don McGahn, who now serves as White House counsel, about the investigation.
The Times' report seems to contradict the Trump administration's claim that it was not aware Flynn was under investigation before former Sally Yates, then the acting attorney general, mentioned it later in January. The White House did not dismiss Flynn until 18 days after Yates warned that he may be vulnerable to Russian blackmail..

Intelligence community hails Mueller appointment as special prosecutor - Business Insider

Privately, however, a person in the room with Trump and his aides when they heard of Mueller's appointment said that "everyone knew this wasn't good news," according to Politico.  Foreign policy analyst Max Boot tweeted a similar assessment on Wednesday. He said the White House was " desperately spinning the special counsel as good news, but a retired FBI agent tells me Mueller will 'crush' Trump."

Will special prosecutor help or hurt Trump in Russia probe? - Business Insider