He was pardoned for being innocent. I shit you not. The FBI tried to frame him. He pled guilty supposedly because they were pressuring his son. Once documents started to become declassified it was clear that they framed him. DOJ dropped charges. He should have walked right then and there. Instead, Judge Sullivan, took it upon himself to call in an outside attorney and essentially prosecute him; dragging out the whole thing. Judge Sullivan continually balked at dismissing the case. Another Deep State asshole. They tried to use the law and have Flynn walk, but Sullivan refused. I suppose they now need Flynn to kick Deep State ass so Trump pardoned him. (I may not have this 100% correct, but the gist is correct.)