Jury selection got underway Tuesday in Paul Manafort’s tax fraud trial with lawyers inching closer to empaneling a full jury.

President Trump’s former campaign chairman wore a dark suit and sported noticeably grayer hair as he sat next to his attorneys and jotted down notes during voir dire.

His wife Kathleen sat in the front row of the packed courtroom in Alexandria, Va.

Federal Judge T.S. Ellis spent the morning cracking jokes with some 50 potential jurors as he questioned them over their impartiality.

“It’s important that you understand at the outset the defendant has pleaded not guilty,” he reminded the pool after summarizing the charges Manafort is facing.

The judge grilled nine potential jurors who said they had some connection to the federal government or Department of Justice, asking a series of repetitive questions over whether they could serve fairly.

One potential juror was starting to answer when Ellis cut her off, cracking, “I know I’m predictable. My wife says that’s one of my only virtues,” drawing laughter from the crowd.

Sixteen jurors will be selected, four of which will be alternates.

Ellis said he expects a full panel will be chosen before the 1 p.m. lunch break — with opening statements likely afterward.

“We’ll take a brief recess if some of you need to use the restroom. I need to,” he said before a brief 10-minute break.

Manafort — who’s been cooling his heels in jail since last month, when a judge revoked his bail amid accusations of witness tampering — was transported to court early Tuesday morning. He was greeted by about a half-dozen protesters toting anti-Trump signs. One held up a poster of Manafort’s mug shot with the caption, “I like your new suit.”

The 69-year-old is accused of hiding tens of millions of dollars from consulting work he did for a pro-Russia political party in the Ukraine and blowing the tax-free cash on pricey real estate and other lavish expenses.

Manafort’s co-defendant and former right-hand man Rick Gates has pleaded guilty and is cooperating with prosecutors. He is expected to testify against Manafort.