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Love to See You Go, Michael Flynn, Love to Watch You Walk Away

Following controversy surrounding his conversations with the Russian ambassador to the US before inauguration, Trump's security advisor flies the coop.

Below is what happened on Trump's seventeenth day in office. You can find out what damage was done every other day so far on the Saddest Calendar on the Internet.

Valentine's Day came early this year: Michael Flynn, Trump's security advisor, resigned from his position last night amid the controversy surrounding his conversations with the Russian ambassador to the US before inauguration. He also reportedly misled Pence about the conversations, which made Pence "particularly upset," according to USA Today. So, he had to go.

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"Unfortunately, because of the fast pace of events, I inadvertently briefed the vice president-elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian ambassador," Flynn wrote in his resignation letter, revealing that his definition of "inadvertently" is a loose one. "I have sincerely apologized to the president and the vice president, and they have accepted my apology…[and] I am tendering my resignation, honored to have served our nation and the American people in such a distinguished way."

Truly an honor to have served the nation and the American people for two weeks, a duration that could actually be considered long, given that the Justice Department had warned the White House last month that Flynn had not fully disclosed his relation with the Russian ambassador, and that they feared Flynn could be vulnerable to Russian blackmail. The New York Times summarizes his rise and fall in the following article about his resignation:

Mr. Flynn was an early and ardent supporter of Mr. Trump's candidacy, and in his resignation he sought to praise the president. "In just three weeks," Mr. Flynn said, the new president "has reoriented American foreign policy in fundamental ways to restore America's leadership position in the world."

The NY Times continues:

But in doing so, he inadvertently illustrated the brevity of his tumultuous run at the National Security Council, and the chaos that has gripped the White House in the first weeks of the Trump administration — and created a sense of uncertainty around the world.

Unsurprisingly, Republicans—including leaders like Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan—have been quiet on the subject. On CNN this morning, when New York City Governor Andrew Cuomo asked NYC congressman Chris Collins why the GOP had been so quiet about Flynn's departure, Collins replied, "Well, it's Valentine's Day and I guess they're having breakfast with their wives."

Democrats, on the other hand, have not held back their joy. Elizabeth Warren, who has become a leading face of resistance in the Democratic Party, took to Twitter to voice her happiness over Flynn's resignation.

Michael Flynn's blinding religious hatred & shady Russian ties disqualified him as NSA on day one. His removal is a win for American values.

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren)February 14, 2017

Joseph Keith Kellogg Jr., a Vietnam War veteran, has stepped in as the acting national security adviser.