Prime Only Members-Only Article
Editor's Brief

Paul Isn’t Flipping; He’s Locking In His Pardon

|
September 13, 2018 6:30 p.m.
THE BACKCHANNEL
FREE EDITION
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
NEW!
A FREE email newsletter from Josh Marshall An email newsletter from Josh Marshall

As you can see ABC News is reporting a “tentative” plea deal between Paul Manafort and the office of special counsel. Assuming this is accurate and moves from tentative to real by tomorrow, I think there’s good reason to expect that this is not what it seems. This isn’t Manafort flipping on Trump. It’s Manafort locking in his pardon. 

This is a members-only article
Small Team. Big Results.
We’re proud of what our small newsroom has accomplished and it’s not hyperbole when we say that without our members, none of this would be possible.
Free memberships available for students and those experiencing financial hardship.
Already a member? SIGN IN
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: