Manafort’s defense, from the WaPo live blog: blame Rick Gates.

For months we have heard pieces of the government’s case against Paul Manafort. Now we know his defense: Blame Richard Gates, his former business partner and deputy.

“This case is about taxes and trust,” defense attorney Thomas Zehnle told the jury. “Mr. Manafort placed his trust in the wrong person … Rick Gates.”

Gates, Zehnle noted, has already pleaded guilty to lying to the U.S. government, yet prosecutors are now telling a jury to believe his testimony.

Party of Personal Responsibility, y’all.