WASHINGTON — After pleading guilty to lying to the FBI regarding his contact with Russian officials, former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn is hoping the holiday gift basket he bought from Williams Sonoma will convince special counsel Robert Mueller to "find it in his heart" to forgive him.

Flynn, who resigned in February, thinks that the holiday season is a better time than ever to “let bygones be bygones” and “just try to love one another a little more.”

“In the spirit of Christmas, I’m hopeful that the FBI will let what’s past be past, and just enjoy some of these caramel-dipped chocolate-covered pretzel rods with me,” said Flynn, while pouring his FBI handler a glass of mulled apple cider. “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is by forgiving a former National Security Advisor for blatantly lying about issues of national security.”