Merlyn Thomas, North America correspondent, reporting from CPAC
President Trump appeared in his element at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), where he engaged with a crowd of his ardent supporters. The event felt more like a performance, as he cracked jokes and even used strong language at one point. Trump navigated through a variety of topics, including his intentions to crack down on the border, the numerous executive actions he has undertaken, and his ongoing efforts to reshape the federal government.
During CPAC, attendees were asked who they believed should lead the Republican Party in 2028, following Trump's potential second term. The favored choice was Vice-President JD Vance, who garnered 61% of the vote. Other notable figures such as Steve Bannon, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and UN ambassador nominee Elise Stefanik trailed behind with 12%, 3%, 3%, and 3% support, respectively.
One of the most applauded moments of Trump's nearly hour-and-a-half speech was his mention of eliminating DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies. He announced that he had notified every DEI officer that their position had been terminated, a statement that received significant cheers. Trump expressed his desire to end similar practices in the private sector, emphasizing his restrictive policies on transgender Americans' access to medical care and military service.
Trump revisited one of his preferred topics: tariffs. Declaring "tariff" as one of his favorite words, he reminisced about the economic strength of the United States from 1870 to 1913, attributing it to tariff collection. Trump reiterated his stance on imposing tariffs on trading partners like Canada and Mexico and emphasized the idea of reciprocal tariffs on countries charging tariffs on U.S. imports.
Turning to the topic of Ukraine, Trump criticized President Joe Biden's involvement in Ukraine's defense against Russia's 2022 invasion, arguing that Europe should contribute more financially. He suggested that the situation wouldn't have occurred under his leadership and hinted at nearing a deal to end the conflict. Recent peace talks involved U.S. and Russian officials meeting in Saudi Arabia, excluding Ukrainian representatives.
Trump commended Elon Musk, a key advisor, for his efforts in reducing government inefficiency. He described Musk as a "patriot" and highlighted his contribution to cutting waste and fraud within the federal workforce. Musk's approach included requesting federal employees to report weekly achievements or face repercussions.
Trump passionately addressed the issue of migrants crossing the southern border, expressing his frustration and attributing this as a reason for seeking a second term. He received enthusiastic responses for mentioning the withdrawal from the Paris climate accords and the cancellation of Biden-era electric car incentives.
Trump reminisced about his 2024 campaign, making playful jabs at former Vice-President Kamala Harris and criticizing President Biden's tenure as the worst in U.S. history. He emphasized the Republican Party's mandate and expressed confidence in a successful midterm election outcome.
Tom Homan, Trump's border advisor, criticized former President Biden's border policies and specific law enforcement agencies for their lack of cooperation on immigration issues. He vowed to address these concerns with assertive actions, especially targeting Boston's police department.
The CPAC venue was filled with anticipation and excitement as attendees eagerly awaited President Trump's speech. The conference, traditionally a gathering for a wide range of Republican supporters, has increasingly become a congregation of MAGA Republicans, with a strong focus on supporting Trump.
Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff, emphasized Trump's agenda during his CPAC speech, asserting that the federal bureaucracy serves the President. He defended Trump's actions as essential for preserving the constitution and warned that any federal bureaucrat defying lawful orders would face termination.
