Blumenthal: Pre-Dawn Raid At Manafort Home Clear Sign Of ‘Serious Crime’

FILE - In this Oct. 26, 2010 file photo, then-Connecticut Democratic Senate candidate Richard Blumenthal is interviewed in New Haven, Conn. The Republican resurgence that swept so much of the country blew with less g... FILE - In this Oct. 26, 2010 file photo, then-Connecticut Democratic Senate candidate Richard Blumenthal is interviewed in New Haven, Conn. The Republican resurgence that swept so much of the country blew with less gusto in most of the Northeast. Democrats largely held firm, particularly in New England, against the anti-incumbent, GOP tide that was so strong in places like the Rust Belt and South. Republicans did make serious gains in sprawling New York and Pennsylvania, a traditional swing state. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File) MORE LESS

August 10, 2017 7:22 a.m.

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Vocal critic of President Donald Trump — who was attacked by the President on Twitter this week — Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) said news that the FBI conducted a predawn raid of Trump’s former campaign chairman’s home in July is “stunning” and a clear sign that a “serious crime” has occurred.

“Predawn raid on Manafort’s house is stunning— typical of serious criminal investigations dealing with uncooperative or untrusted targets,” Blumenthal said in a Twitter statement Thursday.

He said the raid “decimates” claims from Manafort that he has been cooperative with law enforcement and connects the former campaign manager to “criminal wrongdoing.”

“Federal judge signing warrant would demand persuasive evidence of probable cause that a serious crime has been committed,” he said. “This kind of raid — in early morning hours with no advance notice — shows astonishing and alarming distrust for President’s former campaign chairman.”

The Washington Post reported Wednesday that the FBI raided Manafort’s home on July 26 and obtained various records. Manafort had already been cooperating with the congressional investigations into Russia’s role in the 2016 campaign.

1/ Predawn raid on Manafort's house is stunning- typical of serious criminal investigations dealing w uncooperative or untrusted targets

— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) August 9, 2017

2/ Fed judge signing warrant would demand persuasive evidence of probable cause that a serious crime has been committed

— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) August 9, 2017

3/ This kind of raid- in early morning hours w no advance notice- shows astonishing & alarming distrust for Pres’s former campaign chairman

— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) August 9, 2017

4/ Raid decimates Manafort's claim of cooperation with law enforcement– it reflects evidence connecting Manafort to criminal wrongdoing

— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) August 9, 2017

5/5 Significant step reaffirms my reasons for urging a Special Counsel&redoubles my determination to protect investigation from interference

— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) August 9, 2017

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Nicole Lafond (@Nicole_Lafond) is TPM’s deputy editor, based in New York. She has also worked as the special projects editor and as a senior newswriter for TPM. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University and previously covered education in central Illinois.

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