Two comments:
First, Manafort was probably wiretapped because of the Obama backing of Ukraine turmoil, combined with the anti-Russian sentiment over Crimea.
Second, I don’t think Trump has anything to fear. My comment was about my thoughts that Manafort is probably getting more attention, and has higher costs defending himself, because of his brief stint working for Trump than if he hadn’t. So, for that reason, Trump turned out to be on net financial balance, a bad client for Manafort. Not Trump’s fault, not Manafort’s.
Agree with the first comment. Manafort was working with the pro-Russia Ukrainian regime and the US was actively involved in trying to overturn it.
The Ukrainian territory of Crimea was annexed by the Russian Federation on 18 March 2014. It is no coincidence that the wiretapping of Manafort began in 2014.
Second, I don’t think Trump has anything to fear. My comment was about my thoughts that Manafort is probably getting more attention, and has higher costs defending himself, because of his brief stint working for Trump than if he hadn’t. So, for that reason, Trump turned out to be on net financial balance, a bad client for Manafort. Not Trump’s fault, not Manafort’s.
Actually, it might turn out as a blessing in disguise for Manafort. Now he knows that he was being spied on by the FBI for two years and the investigation was discontinued for lack of evidence. If the FBI restarted the investigation when Manafort joined the Trump campaign, many questions will need to be answered by the FBI re the timing, justification, etc. And the fact that Trump's conversations with Manafort may have been captured raises this to a new level.
Mueller may have a difficult time pursuing criminal actions against Manafort given the circumstances. And the revelations may lead to Obama, Brennan, and Comey. Clapper and Comey may have committed perjury as well.