Ex-trump campaign chairman pleads guilty

Former Donald Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort agreed to cooperate with the special counsel’s Russia investigation as he yesterday pleaded guilty to federal charges and avoided a second trial that could have exposed him to even greater punishment.

The deal gives special counsel Robert Mueller a key co-operator who led the Trump election effort for a crucial stretch during the 2016 presidential campaign, though the White House quickly said the outcome had nothing to do with that. The result also ensures the investigation will extend far beyond the November congressional elections despite entreaties from the US president’s lawyer that Mr Mueller bring his probe to a close.

Mr Manafort’s plea to charges was tied to his Ukrainian political consulting work.