The seriousness of yesterday’s developments cannot be overstated. The culture of corruption that Donald Trump brings with him everywhere is a disgrace to the presidency and a threat to our democracy.
The special counsel’s investigation has never been a “witch hunt.” Trump’s former campaign chairman being found guilty of eight counts of financial crimes proves it. Paul Manafort wasn’t just Trump’s campaign chair, he was one of his most trusted advisors; the two have known each other for nearly four decades and reportedly spoke to each other nearly 20 times a day.
As he pleaded guilty to eight counts just minutes before the Manafort verdict, Michael Cohen implicated Donald Trump as a co-conspirator in a crime meant to influence the 2016 presidential election. No one was closer to Donald Trump than Michael Cohen, his longtime lawyer and “fixer” who was at the center of his inner circle. Cohen also served as a deputy finance chairman of the Republican National Committee.
As the walls close in on Trump, his attempts to distract from and undermine the investigation into him and his campaign will only escalate. The investigation has resulted in indictments and guilty pleas from multiple senior members of Trump’s campaign.
Republicans must join Democrats in standing up for the rule of law and take necessary action to ensure the special counsel can continue the investigation without obstruction. Republicans must also tell Trump that pardons for Manafort and Cohen are off the table.
We must defend our democracy from this president and his cronies — we’ve seen time and again just how far they’re willing to go to attack it. The more Democrats we elect this November, the better we will be able to hold this administration accountable.