Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort.

By Steve Neavling
Ticklethewire.com

The long-anticipated trial of Paul Manafort, who served as Donald Trump’s campaign manager, begins today in a courtroom in Alexandria.

Manafort faces 18 charges of bank and tax fraud, primarily related to his work as a political consultant in Ukraine before he joined the Trump campaign.

If he’s found guilty, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

The trial is the first to stem from Robert Mueller’s special counsel investigation that began in May 2017 after Trump fired then-FBI Director James Comey.

The implications are enormous for Mueller, who has come under constant attack by the president and his allies who are seeking to undermine the former FBI director’s credibility. Trump continues to call the investigation a “witch hunt.”

Jury selection begins today.

Follow Ticklethewire.com for daily coverage of the trial.