House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is downplaying allegations that former President Trump’s may have been involved in a scheme to pay hush money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in an attempt to cover up an alleged affair. McCarthy said “this was personal money” and accused the Manhattan district attorney of “playing in presidential politics.” Some of the former President’s Republican allies in the House are attempting to use government power to try and keep his legal threats at bay. Former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger tells AC360 he thinks the interference his former colleagues are running is “pretty chilling.”

Plus, South Carolina authorities are now saying Stephen Smith’s death was a homicide. CNN National Correspondent Randi Kaye tells AC360 where the investigation goes from here.