3. Speculation has now yielded to fact. On Monday, the grand jury impaneled by special counsel Robert Mueller to investigate Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election issued its first indictments. Several of Trump’s closest advisers have been charged with breaking the law. This is the clearest evidence yet that Russia was able to penetrate and gain influence at the highest levels of Trump’s presidential campaign.
Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort has been charged with conspiracy against the United States, making false statements under oath, working as an unregistered agent for a foreign country, money laundering and numerous other financial crimes.
Rick Gates, who is Manafort’s business confidant and aide, was charged with similar crimes. Both men pled not guilty during their arraignment on Monday.
Perhaps the most important and most damning indictment, however, was against George Papadopoulos, a foreign policy adviser for Trump’s campaign. Papadopoulos was in constant contact with a Russian agent who allegedly had dirt on Hillary Clinton and wanted to give Trump’s campaign thousands of stolen emails. Papadopoulos continued his relationship with this Russian agent throughout his time working with Trump. An unnamed senior Trump campaign member apparently praised Papadopoulos’ efforts.
Papadopoulos pleaded guilty some months ago and has presumably been “flipped” with the goal of helping Mueller’s investigation into other members of Trump’s inner circle.
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