Federal appeals court orders judge to dismiss case against Michael Flynn News
© WikiMedia (Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo)
Federal appeals court orders judge to dismiss case against Michael Flynn

The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Wednesday ordered a federal judge to dismiss the case against former Trump advisor Michael Flynn.

The appeals court’s ruling supports the decision by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to abandon the case. Flynn, the former national security adviser to President Donald Trump, pleaded guilty on two occasions to lying to the FBI about conversations with the Russian Ambassador. Since then, there has been a long campaign by Trump and other officials to dismiss the case, with Flynn attempting to revoke his guilty plea.

Judge Emmet Sullivan had appointed a retired judge last month to challenge the decision by the DOJ to dismiss the case. The appeals court ruled 2-1 Wednesday that there was insufficient reason to question the DOJ’s decision, ordering that the case be dropped.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.