Members of Congress from both parties are calling for an independent investigation following the resignation of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.
- Bipartisan call for investigation in Michael Flynn
- Senate: Investigation highly likely
- House Speaker: Too soon to judge
- RELATED: National Security Adviser Michael Flynn resigns
The White House said over and over again Tuesday that General Michael Flynn was asked to resign not because of legal reasons but trust issues.
"Immediately after the Department of Justice notified the White House Counsel of the situation, the White House Counsel briefed the president and a small group of senior advisers. The White House Counsel reviewed and determined that there's not an illegal issue but rather a trust issue," said White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer.
The White House says that on Jan. 26, they were informed by the Department of Justice about the contents of a call between former national security adviser Flynn and Russia's ambassador to the U.S. The Washington Post reports the two talked about sanctions imposed by the Obama administration after Russia meddled in the presidential election.
While Flynn was being accused of possibly breaking federal law, the White House says nothing illegal actually happened.
"And I know he's now resigned, but he's not going to get off that easy," said Rep. Elijah Cummings, ranking Democrat for the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. "We need some answers to a whole lot of questions."
Now, Republican and Democratic members are asking for an independent investigation.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday it is "highly likely" the Senate will look into it.
But Tuesday morning, House Speaker Paul Ryan said it was too early to discuss an inquiry.
"I'm not going to prejudge any of the circumstances surrounding this until we have all of the information," Ryan said.
This did not sit well with some Democrats.
"General Flynn's resignation is not the end of the story. It is merely the beginning. It is not the last chapter of this saga, but only the first," said Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer. "His resignation raises more questions than it answers."
"Already today, the leadership has offered a collective shrug when asked if there should be an investigation. That's the definition of putting party before country," said Rep. Eliot Engel of New York, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "But we are not going to back down."
It is still not clear if Flynn will be asked to testify before Congress, but some Democrats have already said they intend to request his presence at hearings.
Meanwhile, the Office of Government Ethics says Kellyanne Conway made a clear violation when she plugged Ivanka Trump's clothing line during an interview last week.
It is also seeking an investigation into Conway.