Donald the dump will make sure Manafort serves little to no time in prison if he is

[mfcorey1]

convicted. We are nearing Friday and something will be the big newsmaker for the weekend.

[at140]

1. Probably why Manafort did not present a single

defense witness. He figures it is unnecessary. Presidential pardon is on the way?

[kentuck]

4. It appears the deal is already done.

Manafort is very important to Donald Trump.

[ADX]

2. Manafort still faces another trial next month...

...so there will be no pardon forthcoming this week.

[Raven]

3. This looks like it might be a big mistake for Trump and PM.

The only way PM could be sure a pardon is coming is if Trump has told him that or if someone close to Trump has delivered that message prior to his conviction. If this is the case, I think it would be obstruction of justice on Trump's part and I think a pardon under those circumstances would be challenged. Maybe PM is willing to take that risk but if someone hasn't told him already that putting himself at the mercy of Mueller through a guilty plea and a cooperation agreement rather than Trump and the promise of a pardon is the safer course, they should.

[MiniMe]

5. I think Manafort is more scared of Putin than he is of Mueller

[ChoppinBroccoli]

6. Trump Is All About Protecting One Person: Himself

And while he may or may not know that pardoning someone removes their ability to plead the 5th in future proceedings, I'm sure someone at some point at least TRIED to explain this to him. So that means if/when Trump himself goes on trial, Manafort would be powerless to protect him with his silence. This runs a lot deeper than Manafort serving some time. I think Trump is thinking SOLELY of saving his own skin. Which means the only logical conclusion is that there WON'T be a pardon anytime soon.

[Leghorn21]

9. The prosecution finished closing argument a few minutes ago, GG:

Greg Andres wrapped his closing argument to the
jury at 11:42 a.m., about an hour and 40 minutes after he began.
10:49 AM · Aug 15, 2018

Link to tweet

Defense closing statement is next, of course...that shouldn’t take any more than two hours (else Judge Ellis will throw a screaming fit!!)...seems as if jury will start deliberations sometime today, barring any delays?

...and Welcome to DU, Gary Gary!!

[Iterate]

8. For bank fraud and tax evasion?

That doesn't look good, even for DT, who's personally set the lowest bar. I'm thinking it's more likely there are endless appeals until Manafort can be rehabilitated on the right, and even then possibly a pardon on DT's last day when there's no cost to himself. Has DT ever sacrificed his position for anyone?

...last day...last day...there will be one.

[Vinca]

11. If Trump pardons Manafort, it doesn't help Trump.

Manafort would still have to testify against Trump. Unless, of course, he's spirited out of the country on Vlad's private jet. In the background, Vlad's calling all the shots.