We need to be ready for Trump to do the unthinkable.

Trump's former campaign chair and longtime associate Paul Manafort was found guilty of fraud and tax evasion, and there’s no telling how President Trump -- who believes the rule of law doesn’t apply to him -- will retaliate.

This is just the latest concrete outcome of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russia’s election meddling and potential conspiracy with Trump’s team -- which has resulted in 35 guilty pleas or indictments in addition to today’s verdict.

But despite the mountains of evidence to the contrary, Trump continues to attack Mueller’s investigation as an unfounded “witch hunt” -- which raises the troubling prospect of a pardon for Manafort and other aides convicted of wrongdoing.

Trump has already issued politically motivated pardons to Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s contempt of court conviction, Dinesh D’Souza’s campaign finance violations, and Scooter Libby’s perjury and obstruction of justice -- stoking controversies to rile up his base and distract us from his ongoing attacks on our values.

Now, he’s refused to rule out a pardon for Manafort as well -- just another effort to have one set of rules for his friends, and another set for the American people. And, his self-interested abuse of the pardon power could constitute obstruction of justice if he’s using it as a reward for loyalty on the Russia investigation.

Simply put, pardoning Manafort would show once again how Trump thinks that he and his associates are above the law -- and that he’ll willingly abuse his power to protect himself and his close associates.

We must demonstrate that Americans are united in defense of the rule of law -- and that we’re ready to hold any official who abuses their power accountable.