Paul Manafort is what I call a “smart ass” who thinks he can do as he pleases. His imprisonment was something he did not see coming.
Donald Trump has the power to pardon anyone for a crime. Article 2 Section 2 “The President … shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.”.
The likelihood that Paul Manafort will spend the next 7½ years in prison is small.
Manafort, “I accept responsibility for the actions that led me to be here today, and I want to apologize for all I contributed to the effects on people and institutions.”
“I stand here today to assure the court that I am a different person who stood before you in October of 2017,” he said.
Judge Jackson listened to Manafort and then imbued, “Saying ‘I’m sorry I got caught is not an inspiring plea for leniency,” and reminded him that the court “is one of those places where facts still matter.”
Pleas for a pardon will not be public but I am betting that they are already being prepared and will be made very soon.
The Trump pardon will happen quietly while other news events will the focus of most of the media.
Coast Contact 