Breaking: Trump Manager Manafort Resigns After Report He ‘Never Disclosed Work as Foreign Agent’

Paul Manafort’s Firm ‘Directly Orchestrated a Covert Washington Lobbying Operation on Behalf of Ukraine’s Ruling Political Party’

Paul Manafort has just resigned as the Chairman of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign after a bombshell report Thursday night from the Associated Press charged he violated the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act by not registering as an agent of the Ukraine government. The report reveals Manafort lobbied in “attempts to gain positive press coverage of Ukrainian officials in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Associated Press.”

The AP cites emails it obtained and says Manafort and and his deputy, Rick Gates, “directly orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraine’s ruling political party, attempting to sway American public opinion in favor of the country’s pro-Russian government.”

Manafort’s ties to the Ukraine and by extension, Vladimir Putin have kicked up reports about Trump’s ties to Russia and Putin.

Trump just released this statement:

UPDATE I: 10:52 AM EDT –
Rick Gates is also out.

Here’s Bloomberg News reporter Kevin Cirrilli via Twitter:

UPDATE II: 11:04 AM EDT –
And, in typical Trump campaign style…

This is a breaking news and developing story. Details may change. This story will be updated, and NCRM will likely publish follow-up stories on this news. Stay tuned and refresh for updates.

 

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