Turley: Sally Yates’ Public Comments ‘Deeply Disturbing,’ Concerns ‘Magnified’

Former acting Attorney General Sally Yates and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper are sworn in before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on May 8. (Photo: Reuters)

While the Left hails her as a hero, liberal law professor Jonathan Turley said public comments made by Sally Yates are “deeply disturbing,” adding that his concerns over her previous actions as an attorney are “magnified.”

“She was testifying as someone who was recently in a prosecutorial position about subjects related to an ongoing investigation where no one has yet to be indicted,” Professor Turley commented. “Now those concerns have been magnified by Yates’ appearance in the media to talk about matters center to the ongoing investigation at the Justice Department and other related subjects.”

In an interview with Anderson Cooper on CNN, Yates discussed how former national security adviser Michael Flynn was in a “serious compromise situation, that the Russians had real leverage.”

“Such statements are unfair to someone like Flynn who is the target of a federal investigation but not indicted on any crime.”

He also pointed out the irony, or perhaps more accurately described as hypocrisy, over her public remarks and lack of concern for them. Democrats lamented the former FBI director’s public comments that were damaging to the Democratic nominee, which is no different than what Yates is doing now.

“Ironically, many criticized Trump for allegedly asking former FBI Director James Comey about the pending investigation of Flynn,” he said. “Additionally, many criticized Comey for discussing the details of alleged violations by Hillary Clinton despite her not being indicted. Yates’ discussion of matters related to the investigation raise equal concerns. This type of public commentary can also hurt Yates’ colleagues who are still working the case.

Yates also told Cooper that Flynn lied to Vice President Mike Pence and there was “certainly a criminal statute that was implicated by his conduct.” She added “Whether he is fired or not is a decision by the President of the United States to make, but it doesn’t seem like that’s a person who should be sitting in the national security adviser position.”

The fired acting attorney general previously made such a statement during her testimony before a Senate subcommittee. But she refused to tell Sen. Chris Coons, D-Delaware, which law or laws she was referring to. People’s Pundit Daily reported, and Turley agreed, that legal experts found the idea Flynn violated the Logan Act nonsensical and political.

“Once again, this is someone who is actively being investigated by Yates’ former colleagues but not indicted,” Professor Turley added. “I find the statements in public interview to be deeply troubling.”