Paul Manafort has been indicted. What happens next?


On Monday morning, President Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, surrendered to federal authorities. He faces 12 counts, including conspiracy against the United States and financial crimes, stemming from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russia's 2016 election meddling. But what happens now that Manafort has walked through the FBI field office's doors?
Perhaps at the forefront of everyone's minds is the possibility of Manafort "flipping." The rumors began last summer, when prosecutors warned Manafort he was a potential target in the investigation, igniting "speculation that Mr. Manafort might try to cut a deal to avoid prosecution," The New York Times writes. Trump's lawyer has dismissed rumors that Manafort would or could offer damaging information on the president, while Trump's close friend, Roger Stone, said of Manafort: "He's not going to lie."
Still, FBI investigations at the level of Mueller's historically follow a similar pattern, which includes circling inward from "peripheral figures first," Wired writes. With prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, an expert on "flipping witnesses," seen outside the grand jury room Friday, Wired adds that "there's no reason to think that this investigation will be any different."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Institutionally, the FBI's modus operandi and DNA is to target and dismantle entire whole criminal organizations — that's why federal cases usually take so long: The agency starts at the bottom or periphery of an organization and works inward, layer by layer, until it's in a position to build a rock-solid case against the person at the top. [Wired]
Axios adds that indicting Manafort could trigger a reaction from Trump himself, including "pardons or Mueller's firing, igniting a debate over executive authority."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Economists fear US inflation data less reliable
speed read The Labor Department is collecting less data for its consumer price index due to staffing shortages
-
Crypto firm Coinbase hacked, faces SEC scrutiny
Speed Read The Securities and Exchange Commission has also been investigating whether Coinbase misstated its user numbers in past disclosures
-
Starbucks baristas strike over dress code
speed read The new uniform 'puts the burden on baristas' to buy new clothes, said a Starbucks Workers United union delegate
-
Warren Buffet announces surprise retirement
speed read At the annual meeting of Berkshire Hathaway, the billionaire investor named Vice Chairman Greg Abel his replacement
-
Trump calls Amazon's Bezos over tariff display
Speed Read The president was not happy with reports that Amazon would list the added cost from tariffs alongside product prices
-
Markets notch worst quarter in years as new tariffs loom
Speed Read The S&P 500 is on track for its worst month since 2022 as investors brace for Trump's tariffs
-
Tesla Cybertrucks recalled over dislodging panels
Speed Read Almost every Cybertruck in the US has been recalled over a stainless steel panel that could fall off
-
Crafting emporium Joann is going out of business
Speed Read The 82-year-old fabric and crafts store will be closing all 800 of its stores