Here is the truth.

Paul Manafort is the human embodiment of every negative trope about influence peddling and the Washington swamp.

The Republican-led Senate investigation concluded: “Manafort’s influence work . . . was, in effect, influence work for the Russian government and its interests.”

Part of that work was providing access to the top levels of the Trump campaign, which the Russian government was covertly assisting across many vectors.

Manafort lied and concealed this collusion with Russian operatives at every possible opportunity in order to protect his own ass and to protect Donald Trump.

These actions were nothing short of treasonous.

So is this pardon.

It is the apotheosis of Donald Trump’s betrayal of his oath to our nation.