The Trump-Russia investigation is heating up! At least, that’s what the left would like you to believe.
Last Friday, former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and fellow campaign official Rick Gates were indicted by Justice Department on 12 charges, including money laundering and conspiracy against the United States.
Although Manafort and Gates face serious charges, the charges are reported to have nothing to do with the Trump presidential campaign.
Instead, the charges, lead by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, deal with Manafort and Gates’ past lobbying efforts in Ukraine, where Manafort reportedly laundered some $18 million beginning in the mid-2000’s while working with the now-ousted Ukrainian President Viktor F. Yanukovych.
While Gates has not yet responded to the indictment, Manafort turned himself into the the FBI’s field office on Monday. He and Gates will be processed separately.
President Trump has already distanced himself from the indictment, tweeting early Monday morning that Manafort's and Gates’ alleged illegal activity happened before he was part of the Trump campaign.
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
The New York Times reported that Manafort has been expecting the indictment since this summer.
Trump hired Manafort as the chairman and chief strategist of his campaign in March 2016, after firing his initial campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski. However, Trump ended up firing Manafort just months after hiring him on, as a heavy increase in media coverage of Manafort’s past money laundering schemes began to overshadow the Trump campaign.