Rob Townsley News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

>> i understand that individual was denied security clearance effectively ruling him out from that position. what do we know more about that particular decision who was behind it, what possible reasons might have been given? >> well, the details are hazy about this. nbc news has confirmed that flynn's pick to run africa policy for the national security council rob townsley has been excluded because he couldn't obtain a top level security clearance. we're not sure why. we believe -- our sources are telling us that flynn, though, believes that the cia was behind it. flynn has been in a long-runn...

A new development this afternoon on president trump's national security team. national security adviser mike flynn's top aide has been denied security clearance to the national security council. this comes as flynn faces fallout for revelations he discussed sanctions against russia with russia's ambassador before president trump took office despite publicly denying that. joining me is intelligence and national security reporter kim delaney. what's the latest, kim? >> it's been a rough couple of days for the president's national security adviser, certainly. the development you just referenced, ...

On the national security council. we're not exactly sure why. what reason was cited for denying rob townsley, a former marine special operator a clearance but he's had to leave his job. more pressingly for fliynn, though, he is under fire over revelations he did discuss russian-related sanctions with the russian ambassador on the day the obama administration announced them back in december. after he told people including the president of the united states he didn't discuss those sanctions. yo have democrats accusing flynn having lied and calling for his removal. the only person whose opinion m...