The Trump-Russia connection: What we know now

WASHINGTON — The resignation of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn has only accelerated the controversy over the Russian connections of President Trump and his associates.

Flynn resigned Monday after reports that he had discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador to the United States in January, despite his denials. But new questions emerged Wednesday via a New York Times report that other people close to Trump also had contact with Russian agents during the presidential campaign.

Trump's response Wednesday was to lash out at the "fake media," blaming Flynn's departure on "illegal leaks." Just a day before, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Trump had asked for Flynn's resignation because he had lost confidence in the retired general after he misled Vice President Pence.

Questions of ties to Russia have dogged Trump since October, when the intelligence community publicly disclosed its concerns that Russia tried to influence the 2016 presidential election. Trump has also tried to foster closer ties with the historic rival in an effort to combat terrorism.

A summary of Wednesday's developments:

Flynn's security clearance revoked

The Defense Intelligence Agency has suspended Flynn's security clearance pending a review, the agency told CNN Wednesday. The DIA told CNN Wednesday that such reviews are routine when questions arise. The review would be conducted by the DIA because it granted Flynn his security clearance as a former director of the agency.

Former military and intelligence officials often retain their security clearances even after leaving the government, allowing them to work for national security contractors or to consult with current officials.

New York Times: Trump campaign talked to Russia

Driving Wednesday's events was a New York Times report that people close to Trump — including campaign aides and other associates — had spoken to Russian intelligence operatives during the campaign. The report cited current and former law enforcement and intelligence officials, all anonymous. It's unclear what they spoke about or even if the Trump associates knew they were speaking to Russian agents, whose calls were being monitored as part of routine counterintelligence surveillance.

The story also made clear that officials had seen "no evidence" of a coordinated attempt to interfere with the presidential election.

But the New York Times report is significant both because it expands both the time frame of Russian contacts and the circle of those involved. Specifically named: Paul Manafort, Trump's campaign chairman.

Congress: Calls for investigation intensify

Democrats on Capitol Hill have seized on the Flynn resignation to call for independent investigations into the full range of connections between Trump's circle and the Russian government. Among the demands from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.: That the Trump campaign preserve documents, that former campaign officials be made available to testify, and that Attorney General Jeff Sessions recuse himself from the investigation.

But it's not just Democrats. Republicans are also joining in calls for an investigation, albeit slowly and tentatively. Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said Congress should find “a non-hysterical but sobering way” to investigate.

One possible path comes from Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who said there should be a preliminary inquiry to confirm whether the Russian contacts indeed happened. “If there are contacts between Trump officials and Russian intelligence operatives during the campaign, we need a joint select committee in Congress to get to the bottom of it and also look at Trump's business ties to Russia — if it is true," he said.

Trump: 'Illegal leaks' brought down Flynn

Trump evaded the issue at a Wednesday press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling on reporters from conservative outlets who only asked about the U.S.-Israeli relations.

But David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network did work Russia into a question about the Iran nuclear deal, asking if "some of those events that have been going on with communication in Russia" might have an impact on enforcing the agreement.

Trump's response: "General Flynn is a wonderful man. I think he’s been treated very, very unfairly by the media — as I call it, the fake media, in many cases. And I think it’s really a sad thing that he was treated so badly. I think, in addition to that, from intelligence — papers are being leaked, things are being leaked.  It’s criminal actions, criminal act, and it’s been going on for a long time before me. But now it’s really going on, and people are trying to cover up for a terrible loss that the Democrats had under Hillary Clinton.

"I think it’s very, very unfair what’s happened to General Flynn, the way he was treated, and the documents and papers that were illegally — I stress — illegally leaked. Very, very unfair."

Read more:

Who's who with Trump and Russia? A look at the key players

Trump, Russia and Flynn: A timeline of key events

The first 100 days of the Trump presidency