Free Republic

Donald Trump’s defenders would love for people to believe that the former president entered into totally normal, by-the-book, run-of-the-mill legal agreements with adult film actress Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal to purchase their silence, and that he did so in a way that was agreeable and beneficial to all parties. But that’s not what happened. Trump risks indictment because, allegedly at his behest, an illegal scheme was undertaken to deceive the public at a critical moment before the 2016 election. That was the purpose of the “hush money” payments—not to enrich the women or settle a personal matter,...

Amanda Carpenter, a top aide to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), is leaving his office to return to conservative commentary under her own name. Carpenter announced the move Tuesday in a message to colleagues that was first reported by Roll Call. She will leave Cruz's office on July 5. “Looking back, I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to create #MakeDCListen, help with Sen. Cruz’s Gridiron speech, and contribute to his flawless presidential launch — as well as countless other memorable tweets, jokes, lines, talkers, statements, op-eds, and other items. We’ve been in high gear since Day 1 and I’m very proud...