Shortly after former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and his business associate Rick Gates surrendered to the FBI over 12 charges of money laundering and conspiracy against the United States, another of the president's advisors, George Papadopolous, has pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI.
Papadopolous, a former foreign policy adviser, admitted to lying when he was asked about his contacts in Russia. He came clean on Oct. 3.
BREAKING: Former Trump campaign advisor George Papadopolous has pleaded guilty to making false statements to FBI agents. pic.twitter.com/VXZKTOmK8m
— ABC News (@ABC) October 30, 2017
While serving as Trump's advisor, Papadopolous reportedly tried to schedule meetings between the campaign and Russian officials.
Indictment: Papadopolous told Trump personally he could arrange a meeting with Putin pic.twitter.com/8zSlM2GYNP
— Matt Ford (@fordm) October 30, 2017
Some media pundits like ABC News's Dan Abrams believe this latest revelation is damning for the Trump team.
"It almost certainly means he is cooperating," Abrams said Monday.
The indictments against Manafort and Gates, it must be noted, do not mention the Trump campaign. President Trump made sure to note that Manafort's record had nothing to do with him and that the real story is Hillary Clinton, the DNC and their funding of that infamous Russian dossier.
Sorry, but this is years ago, before Paul Manafort was part of the Trump campaign. But why aren't Crooked Hillary & the Dems the focus?????
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 30, 2017