Trump's first big casualty

Within three weeks of taking over as US President, Donald Trump faced a major crisis as national security adviser Michael Flynn resigned amid intelligence leaks that he had secretly discussed sanctions with Russia’s ambassador to Washington and then tried a coverup. It’s a tribute to the media, with which Mr Trump has begun a running battle, that it swiftly nailed the retired general’s many prevarications on the issue. Flynn’s record — he called Barack Obama a “liar”, declared the US justice system “corrupt” and holds extreme radical views about Islam — isn’t such that many would be sorry to see him go from an administration plagued with huge problems over immigration and visa issues.

Mr Trump had to let him go not only because there were warnings that he could be susceptible to blackmail by a foreign power long considered an “enemy”, but also for being caught lying in conversations with vice-president Mike Pence. Imagine an Indian NSA sharing secrets with Pakistani diplomats. While Flynn’s dramatic departure is the first indication of a chaotic administration at odds with much of the world, besides serious differences at home, what is more worrying is that his ties with Russia could be the tip of the iceberg, perhaps hinting at the Trump team’s pre-election vibes with the Kremlin. With Russia blamed by Democrats for “fixing” the American election, questions will crop up after one of Mr Trump’s trusted aides is caught being pals with the enemy. But did anyone really expect things would be smooth with this Trump as President?