Marcy Wheeler is a national securities and civil liberties journalist, who has been following the Trump Russia investigation avidly. Her conclusion after Manafort pleaded guilty Friday to conspiracy against the United States and conspiracy to obstruct justice through witness tampering, is that Manafort is now pardon proof. Emptywheel:
Remember, back in January, Trump told friends and aides that Manafort could incriminate him (the implication was that only Manafort could). I believe Mueller needed Manafort to describe what happened in a June 7, 2016 meeting between the men, in advance of the June 9 meeting. I have long suspected there was another meeting at which Manafort may be the only other Trump aide attendee.
That’s the back story. Now here’s Wheeler’s reasoning on why Manafort is pardon proof.
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Mueller spent the hour and a half delay in arraignment doing … something. It’s possible Manafort even presented the key parts of testimony Mueller needs from him to the grand jury this morning.
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The forfeiture in this plea is both criminal and civil, meaning DOJ will be able to get Manafort’s $46 million even with a pardon.
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Some of the dismissed charges are financial ones that can be charged in various states.
It sounds reasonable, and that being the case. Mueller may have sewn up the key witness he needs.
From here on out things are going to get very interesting.
