Mueller investigation isn't a 'witch hunt,' and other reactions to Manafort verdict

Christal Hayes | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Jury begins deliberations in Paul Manafort trial The trial case against Paul Manafort over money laundering and tax evasion has entered jury deliberations. Kevin Johnson reports from Alexandria, Va.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – It was only two years ago that Paul Manafort helped President Donald Trump score the Republican nomination for president.

Now, the former lobbyist and political consultant is facing a possible 80 years in prison after being convicted of eight of 18 counts in his tax and bank fraud trial – the first taken to trial by special counsel Robert Mueller in his investigation of Russia meddling in the 2016 election.

Though the charges against Manafort are not related to Russian election interference, the case is an important initial test for Mueller, as it is the first his team has brought to trial.

Manafort’s conviction increases the need for Congress to protect Mueller’s investigation from White House interference, said Karen Hobert Flynn, president of the Common Cause, a government watchdog group.

"Justice must be allowed to run its course through the Special Counsel’s investigation," she said. "Americans expect Congress to put country before party and exercise its oversight responsibilities to allow the full truth to be unearthed and shared with the nation."

President Donald Trump has repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of the Mueller investigation, even saying during jury deliberations that what Mueller's team was doing to his former campaign chairman as "very sad."

As Trump landed in Charleston, West Virginia, for a rally on Tuesday, he called Manafort "a good man" but said his case "doesn't involve me."

Pundits and politicians across the political spectrum quickly reacted to the Manafort verdict, which came on the same day the president's former personal attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to charges including campaign finance fraud stemming from hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels and ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal.

Republicans for the Rule of Law, an advocacy group focused on protecting the special counsel investigation, said that the Manafort conviction proved that Mueller’s investigation "is not a witch hunt."

"Special Counsel Robert Mueller is working to ensure foreign interference, aggression, and corruption do not gain a foothold in the American electoral system. For the safety of our country, the Special Counsel must be allowed to finish his work," the group said in a statement.

Democrats took aim at Trump saying the verdict is another example of wrongdoing in his administration.

Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro called it "yet more evidence of the culture of corruption around President Trump’s campaign and administration."

"From hiding foreign bank accounts to bank fraud and tax fraud, Manafort blatantly flouted our nation’s laws while earning millions of dollars overseas," she said in a statement. "He used his position of power to enrich himself at the expense of taxpayers. I welcome seeing justice served."

Some other comments:

"The American legal system is working its will in both the Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen cases. Thus far, there have yet to be any charges or convictions for colluding with the Russian government by any member of the Trump campaign in the 2016 election. It’s important to let this process continue without interference. I hope Mr. Mueller can conclude his investigation sooner rather than later for the benefit of the nation." – Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

"Today, the President’s former campaign chairman and personal attorney were each found guilty of serious offenses against the United States. They join President Trump’s former national security adviser, his deputy campaign chairman, and his foreign policy adviser, each of whom were also convicted of serious crimes. Not since Richard Nixon have we seen a presidential administration this embroiled in corruption." – Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Co-Chair David N. Cicilline of Rhode Island, a member of the House Judiciary Committee

"This verdict makes it absolutely clear that the Mueller probe is not a ‘witch hunt’ – it is a serious investigation that is rooting out corruption and Russian influence on our political system at the highest levels. The President’s campaign manager was just convicted of serious federal crimes by a jury of his peers, despite the President’s continued attempts to undermine the investigation which has brought Mr. Manafort to justice. Any attempt by the President to pardon Mr. Manafort or interfere in the investigation into his campaign would be a gross abuse of power and require immediate action by Congress." – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner, D-Va., vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence

"The conviction of Paul Manafort on multiple felony charges of bank and tax fraud marks a major turning point in the Special Counsel’s ongoing investigation, and shows again that the President’s campaign was populated by individuals with a history of unscrupulous and dishonest business dealings and concerning ties to overseas interests." – Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence