“It’s really incredible, so I’m just here to help”.
Advertisement
Paul Manafort, the veteran Republican operative who helped run Donald Trump’s presidential bid over the past five months, resigned from the campaign Friday.
Manafort, and his deputy Rick Gates, were paid by the Ukrainian government to lobby on behalf of Yanukovych and influence American public opinion in favor of pro-Russian interests, according to reporting by the Associated Press. They never disclosed the amount of money received for their efforts nor did they register with the Department of Justice as foreign agents, in apparent violation of federal law that requires U.S. lobbyists to disclose the amount paid by foreign entities. His father didn’t want to be “distracted by whatever things Paul was dealing with”, the younger Trump told Fox News. Gates told AP late Thursday he was busy with Trump campaign focus groups and would review the AP’s questions in writing then did not respond.
The new disclosures about their work come as Trump faces criticism for his friendly overtures to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a statement Trump said: “This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign”.
In a clear swipe at her rival, Clinton added: “The relief effort can’t afford any distractions”.
Manafort and Gates have said that they did not disclose their activities to the Justice Department because they did not oversee lobbying efforts and merely introduced the Washington firms to a Brussels-based nonprofit, the European Center for a Modern Ukraine, which they said ran the project.
The businessman and his running mate, Mike Pence, drove past piles of ripped-up carpet, furniture and personal belongings discarded on curbs. But Trump felt stifled and struggled under Manafort. “You know, Paul was fantastic”. “Because of all the people … who have been saying, “Hey, let’s get Trump to pivot, let’s get him to be more presidential” – that is presidential”.
With pressure mounting, the White House said after Trump’s appearance that Obama would visit Louisiana on Tuesday to survey the damage.
“I am pleased to announce two new additions to leadership positions on the campaign: CEO Steve Bannon and Campaign Manager Kellyanne Conway”. The decision suggested to some that Trump might ramp up the divisive rhetoric that has angered minorities and alienated large swaths of the electorate. A new campaign manager and executive were named earlier this week.
The campaign emphasized that Manafort would continue to serve as chair and chief strategist, with Trump spokesperson Katrina Pierson denying on CNN that the move represented a “shake-up”.
Advertisement
Manafort is leaving on good terms with the campaign, and will remain an ally and outside confidant of the campaign, according to a close associate of his who spoke on the condition of anonymity Friday to The Washington Post.
