Congressman Krishnamoorthi: For President Trump to Pardon Paul Manafort to Disrupt the Mueller Investigation Would Invite a Charge of Obstruction of Justice

SCHAUMBURG, IL – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi issued the following statement in response to former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort's convictions on federal bank and tax fraud charges:

"Today, President Trump dismissed the conviction of Paul Manafort, his former campaign manager, on eight federal counts of bank and tax fraud as simply part of a ‘witch hunt.' The President has repeatedly attacked the proceedings of our justice system while displaying a willingness to aggressively use his pardon power. In this case, the reality of Paul Manafort's guilt as determined by a jury of his peers could not be more clear: for President Trump to pardon Paul Manafort to disrupt the Mueller investigation would invite a charge of obstruction of justice.

For the sake of our country, I hope President Trump will not take this step, but if he does, the consequences will be serious, and he must be held accountable."