JAMES ROSEN: The charges unsealed this morning illustrate the near limitless scope of the Mueller investigation and, possibly, the special counsel's intention to use his ability to probe various matters as a way of developing more information on the Russia collusion angle that was supposed to be his main focus. Paul Manafort, for a time the president's campaign manager last year, and his associate Rick Gates surrendered to federal authorities this morning and are due to appear in court later today to enter pleas to a dozen charges filed by the special counsel's team. The charges Mr. Mueller has brought are all focused on the period 2006 to 2015, well before Paul Manafort became associated with the Trump campaign. Sources close to the case believe the Mueller team, which is known to employ some hardball operators as prosecutors, is using the specter of prison time for alleged financial crimes committed as long as 11 years ago to compel testimony from Manafort and Gates that could implicate the president or other individuals connected to the Trump campaign in alleged collusion with the Kremlin last year. 

Previously: 

Fox & Friends downplays Trump's connection to indicted former campaign chairman

Laura Ingraham dismisses indictment of former Trump campaign chairman as a “nothingburger”

Manafort indictment shows why conservatives have an alternative media bubble