President Donald Trump vented on Twitter after the indictments were revealed.
President Donald Trump vented on Twitter as his former campaign chairman was indicted by a federal grand jury and news broke on Monday that a former adviser admitted he lied to FBI investigators regarding an effort to broker connections with Russian officials.
Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his former business associate Rick Gates face 12 charges, including conspiracy against the United States and money laundering, according to a statement from Special Counsel Robert Mueller. The charges related to incidents prior the presidential campaign.
Former Trump foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos pleaded guilty earlier this month to making a false statement to FBI investigators who asked about his contacts with a foreigner who claimed to have high-level Russian connections. Court documents unsealed on Monday described extensive efforts Papadopoulos made to try to broker connections with Russian officials and arrange a meeting between them and the Trump campaign.
In response, Trump tweeted, "Sorry, but this is years ago, before Paul Manafort was part of the Trump campaign. But why aren't Crooked Hillary & the Dems the focus????? ....Also, there is NO COLLUSION!"
Sorry, but this is years ago, before Paul Manafort was part of the Trump campaign. But why aren't Crooked Hillary & the Dems the focus?????
-- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 30, 2017
....Also, there is NO COLLUSION!
-- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 30, 2017
In August 2016, Manafort resigned from the Trump camapaign after his connections to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and his Party of Regions drew national media attention.
Questions were raised as to whether Manafort illegally received $12.7 million in off-the-books funds from the Party of Regions.