Free Republic

Former officials fear Trump would force out DOJ and FBI officials who defy him and replace them with loyalists. Chaos, division and paralysis could ensue. Since he entered the 2024 race, Donald Trump has called for the criminal prosecution of at least 16 rival politicians and 15 law enforcement, military and intelligence officials — according to an NBC News review of his public comments — not to mention workers at two federal public health agencies, two tech billionaires, Google and as any lawyers, campaign donors and political operatives who engage in what the former president has called “unscrupulous behavior” in...

Accusations from a former Trump chief of staff meant to derail his presidential campaign were defused by a vehement denial from the former chief of staff to Mike Pence. Retired Marine General John Kelly said that former President Donald Trump had praised Adolf Hitler's military and wished that he had the same. He also said Trump met the definition of a fascist and would govern as a dictator if elected a second time. The media ran wild with the claims in an attempt to damage the Trump presidential campaign. "He certainly prefers the dictator approach to government," Kelly said. But...

Kelly’s sensational claims about the president highlight his incompetence, mismanagement, and contempt for the chain of command. No one knows former Trump Chief of Staff John Kelly better than I do. This bitter, bullying coward should be cast into the dustbin of history for once again smearing Donald Trump, just days before the most important election in modern American history. It may seem reasonable to assume a four-star general would make a good chief of staff, but that assumption is deeply flawed. Kelly invariably hated those closest to Trump. As chief of staff, he single-handedly turned Trump allies into bitter...

Half the country sees former President Donald Trump as a fascist, amplifying concerns raised in recent days by Vice President Kamala Harris and past members of Trump's own administration. Far fewer in a new ABC News/Ipsos poll level the same charge against Harris. Nearly two-thirds also say Trump often departs from the truth, again more than say so about Harris. But Harris gets more criticism than Trump for pandering for votes by promoting policies she doesn't intend to carry out -- underscoring challenges for both candidates as the fur flies in their increasingly heated presidential race. Responding to one of...

Donald Trump has described at length the dangerous and disturbing actions he says he will take if he wins the presidency. His rallies offer a steady stream of such promises and threats — things like prosecuting political opponents and using the military against U.S. citizens. These statements are so outrageous and outlandish, so openly in conflict with the norms and values of American democracy that many find them hard to regard as anything but empty bluster. We have two words for American voters: Believe him. The record shows that Mr. Trump often pursues his stated goals, regardless of how plainly...

Excerpt: The move to restrict NATO withdrawal options comes as Trump, eyeing a return to the Oval Office, vocally considers pivoting the U.S. to a less active role within the alliance, or departing altogether if his terms are not met. However, this new bill would necessitate Senate approval or an Act of Congress to validate such a departure, hamstringing the Commander-in-Chief’s capacity to respond to real-time geopolitical dynamics. Adding to the controversy is the provision, championed by Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), which effectively bars any U.S. President from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO without Senate approval or...

In a last-minute rush to sanction spending before the end of the year, the Senate enacted a $886 billion defense spending proposal Wednesday, sponsored by President Joe Biden, that includes financing for Ukraine, yearly pay hikes for personnel, and most controversially, a reauthorization of the the National Defense Authorization Act.. The NDAA funds Pentagon objectives such as training and equipment. The Act was approved by a bipartisan majority of 87-13 in the Senate. For the last 61 years in a row, Congress has advanced the must-pass defense budget measure. “At a time of huge trouble for global security, doing the...