On Friday, December 1, former Trump National Security Advisor Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the F.B.I. concerning conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey I. Kislyak, which were allegedly part of a movement by the Trump team to establish foreign policy before assuming power.

Because of this coordinated effort to establish foreign policy before the inauguration, Flynn likely received direction from more important members of the Trump team—which might include members of the President’s inner circle. The public now knows of eight members of the Trump team who spoke with Russian officials or business people during the election and the transition into power: Donald Trump Jr, one of Trump’s sons; Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and an advisor; Flynn; Jeff Sessions, attorney general; Paul Manafort, former Trump campaign chairman; Michael Cohen, longtime Trump lawyer; George Papadopoulos, a foreign policy campaign advisor; and Carter Page, another foreign policy campaign advisor.

Flynn asked Kislyak, on December 22, 2016, to help block the decision (made by the Obama Administration) to allow a vote in the United Nations Security Council condemning Israel in building settlement in Palestinian territory. After Obama imposed sanctions on Russia for interfering in the U.S. elections, Flynn met with Kislyak to encourage Russia not to escalate the situation. Afterward, Flynn lied to the F.B.I. about meeting with Kislyak to discuss these sanctions.