President Trump praised his former campaign manager Paul Manafort on Wednesday for not cutting a deal with prosecutors like Michael Cohen did — and declared the trial was a “witch hunt.”
The president said he, “felt very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family.”
I feel very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family. “Justice” took a 12 year old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to “break” - make up stories in order to get a “deal.” Such respect for a brave man!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018
The president pointed to the fact that ten counts were undecided in the verdict. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis declared a mistrial on those charges.
A large number of counts, ten, could not even be decided in the Paul Manafort case. Witch Hunt!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018
A jury in Alexandria, Virginia, found Mr. Manafort guilty on eight counts of bank and tax fraud on Tuesday. He faces another court case in September across the river in D.C.
The verdict came just as Mr. Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations, bank fraud and tax evasion. In his plea, the president’s former lawyer said his actions were coordinated and directed by a candidate for federal office.
In comparison to his praise of Mr. Manafort, the president slammed Mr. Cohen. He accused Mr. Cohen of “making up stories in order to get a deal” and brushed off the charges in the guilty plea by arguing that campaign finance violations were not a crime.
Michael Cohen plead guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime. President Obama had a big campaign finance violation and it was easily settled!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.
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