Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, one focus of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, hides behind his car visor as he leaves his home in Alexandria, Virginia, U.S. October 30, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
By: Tyson Lautenschlager
U.S. President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort and his business associate Rick Gates, have been indicted on 12 charges, including conspiracy against the U.S., according to several media outlets.
Manafort and Gates surrendered to the FBI this morning. The charges relate to the Robert Mueller’s special investigation into possible Russian ties to the Trump administration.
Other charges the pair face include money laundering, failing to register as a foreign agent, false statements, and multiple counts of failing to file reports for foreign bank accounts. These are the first charges in Mueller’s special investigation, and more are expected to follow.
President Trump has now commented on Manafort’s charges through a tweet. He said the focus of the investigation should be on 2016 presidential election rival Hillary Clinton.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/925005659569041409
In an email sent to donors, Eric Trump, son of the president, urged supporters to donate to the president’s re-election efforts.
“There’s new opposition against my father and this Administration every day,” the email wrote.
A third person tied to Trump, George Papadopoulos, a former aide to the president, pleaded guilty on Oct. 5 to lying to the FBI about his own interactions with nationals he suspected has close relations to senior Russian government leaders. Papadopoulos is the first to face formal charges that cite possible links between Russia and Trump’s campaign associates.
White House lawyers have not yet commented on the charges Manafort is facing, or Papadopoulos’ guilty plea.