“The Best People,” a Recap

Trump promised the American people he would appoint “the best people.” That turned out to be a lie, too. What we got was continuous turnover in staff and senior positions, dozens of indictments and multiple guilty pleas. WC recognizes that it can be hard to keep track of the criminal convictions so, as a service to readers, WC is providing this handy guide to just a few of the felonious low-lifes that composed the Trump Administration, 2016-2020. Some of these crooks have been pardoned for some or all of their crimes, but a pardon doesn’t change the fact that they are convicted felons.

Trump Associate	Job	Conviction
Paul Manafort	Trump’s 2016 Campaign Chair	Found guilty of tax fraud and bank fraud in a jury trial in August 2018. Pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to money laundering, lobbying violations and witness tampering.
Rick Gates	Trump’s 2016 Deputy Campaign Chair	Pleaded guilty in February 2018 to conspiracy against the United States and lying to investigators.
Michael Cohen	Trump’s Personal Lawyer	Plead guilty to lying to Congress and orchestrating hush money payments to women Trump bedded
Michael Flynn	Trump’s National Security Advisor	Plead guilty that year to lying to the FBI about his interactions with Russia’s ambassador
George Nader	Trump’s Foreign Policy Advisor	Plead guilty to possessing child pornography and bringing a boy to the United States for sex.
Steve Bannon	Trump Advisor	Convicted of contempt of Congress over his refusal to comply with a subpoena to appear before the January 6 House select committee
Rep. Chris Collins (R, NY)	First U.S. Congressman to endorse Trump for president	Plead guilty to securities fraud conspiracy and making false statements
Rep. Duncan Hunter, (R-CA)	Second U.S. Congressman to endorse Trump for president	Plead guilty to conspiring to misuse $250,000 of campaign funds for his personal expenses.
Roger Stone	Trump Advisor	Convicted on all seven criminal counts of obstruction of a congressional investigation, five counts of making false statements to Congress, and tampering with a witness.
Allen Weisselberg	Chief Financial Officer, The Trump Organization	Plead guilty o 15 felonies, including failing to pay taxes on some $1.7 million in income
George Papadopolous	Presidential Campaign Advisor	Plead guilty in 2017 to lying to FBI agents.
Elliott Broidy	Presidential Campaign Fundraiser	Plead guilty to carrying out a secret lobbying campaign in exchange for millions of dollars.

Still no word on indictments of Trump himself by Georgia, New York or the federal special prosecutor. But WC remains hopeful.