Roger Stone, a longtime Republican operative who helped launch President Trump’s political career and later served as an informal political advisor, was arrested before dawn Friday on a federal indictment that outlined efforts by Trump’s 2016 campaign to seek Democratic Party emails hacked by Russia.

Stone said he would plead not guilty to seven felony charges and was released on a $250,000 bond. He emerged from the courthouse smiling, his arms outstretched in a V-for-victory pose made famous by his political idol, President Nixon, who resigned from office during the Watergate scandal.