U.S. Senate Democrats want Hagerty to answer questions about vetting of Michael Flynn

Start of an Associated Press story:

Senate Democrats are pressing the businessman President Donald Trump nominated to be ambassador to Japan for answers about the vetting of former national security adviser Michael Flynn, according to congressional aides.

William F. Hagerty served as director of presidential appointments for Trump’s transition team. One aide said Democrats on the Foreign Relations Committee want to know “who knew what and when” about Flynn’s background. The aides were not authorized to speak publicly about the requests to the Tennessee businessman and requested anonymity.

Speaking to reporters Monday, Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said “questions for the record” were sent to Hagerty before Congress left for a weeklong Memorial Day break. Coons said he thought Hagerty did well during his confirmation hearing last month. But Coons said he was unaware until recently of Hagerty’s role in the staffing of Trump’s administration.

“I think how his nomination proceeds will in some part depend upon what those answers are,” Coons said.

Flynn is a central figure in the investigation being conducted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia. The House and Senate Intelligence committees also are examining Russia’s meddling in the election.

Note: Hagerty formerly served as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and worked in the presidential campaigns of both Mitt Romney and Donald Trump.

Note: Previous post on Hagerty breezing through the Senate committee hearing on his nomination as ambassador to Japan is HERE.