Alfonse Capone, legendary mob boss, killer and ‘Public Enemy Number One,’ or Paul Manafort, political operative & Reagan/Dole darling, now serving solitary confinement—although convicted of nothing? Where is the Russian 865 Collusion?” The President’s tweets about the Manafort trial were widely 866 covered by the press. When asked about the President’s tweets, Sanders told the press, “Certainly, the President’s been clear. He thinks Paul Manafort’s been 867 treated unfairly.” On August 16, 2018, the Manafort case was submitted to the jury and deliberations began. At that time, Giuliani had recently suggested to reporters that the Special Counsel investigation needed to be “done in the next two or 868 three weeks,” and media stories reported that a Manafort acquittal would add to criticism that the Special Counsel investigation was not worth the time and expense, whereas a conviction could show that ending the investigation would 869 be premature. On August 17, 2018, as jury deliberations continued, the President commented on the trial from the South Lawn of the White House. In an impromptu exchange with reporters that lasted approximately five minutes, the President twice called the Special Counsel’s investigation a “rigged witch 870 hunt.” When asked whether he would pardon Manafort if he was convicted, 871 the President said, “I don’t talk about that now. I don’t talk about that.” The President then added, without being asked a further question, “I think the whole Manafort trial is very sad when you look at what’s going on there. I think it’s a very sad day for our country. He worked for me for a very short period of time. But you know what, he happens to be a very good person. And l think it’s very 872 sad what they’ve done to Paul Manafort.” The President did not take further 873 questions. In response to the President’s statements, Manafort’s attorney said, 874 “Mr. Manafort really appreciates the support of President Trump.” On August 21, 2018, the jury found Manafort guilty on eight felony counts. Also on August 21, Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to eight offenses, including a campaign-finance violation that he said had occurred “in coordination with, and 875 at the direction of, a candidate for federal offtce.” The President reacted to Manafort’s convictions that day by telling reporters, “Paul Manafort’s a good 876 man” and “it’s a very sad thing that happened.” The President described the 877 Special Counsel’s investigation as “a witch hunt that ends in disgrace.” The