Blumenthal Statement on Indictment of Trump Campaign Manager Paul Manafort

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement today after Special Counsel Robert Mueller indicted Paul Manafort, President Trump’s former campaign manager, and his associate Rick Gates on charges including conspiracy against the United States, money laundering $75 million, and failure to register as a foreign agent. Another Trump advisor, George Papadopoulos, has also pleaded guilty to making false statement to federal investigators.

“We know today that the Trump presidential campaign was run by a Russian foreign agent now charged with conspiring against the United States. This indictment is a sober, shattering moment and a major step toward answers and accountability for the American people. The President now owes the American people a serious explanation of his decision to hire Manafort and his own knowledge of this conspiracy. As this investigation moves forward into its next critical stage, Special Counsel Mueller must be protected against any political interference. The Senate Judiciary Committee must move forward with public hearings, and witnesses under oath to examine the full extent of Russian interference in our elections and how the Trump Administration may have thwarted the work of the FBI,” Blumenthal said.

“This historic step is the end of the beginning, not the beginning of the end.”