GRAPEVINE, Texas — For the first time in nearly a decade, President Donald Trump will not attend one of the largest annual conservative meetings. But even in his absence, the Conservative Political Action Conference was all about him.
There were disagreements about His war with IranPride in his anti-immigration campaign and plenty of encouragement to avoid the infighting the Republican Party faces Midterm elections are difficult.
It was the opposite Last year’s gatheringwhen conservatives were on the rise after Trump returned to office and Elon Musk brandished a chainsaw to symbolize his new role leading the Department of Government Efficiency.
Here’s a look at some key moments.
From the opening moments of the conference, speaker after speaker called for unity.
“They want to divide us,” warned Mercedes Schlapp, a senior fellow at CPAC, whose husband, Matt, heads the organization.
Evangelist Franklin Graham said the war with Iran represented a “critical time for our country.”
He added: “We can discuss our differences, but do so respectfully without attacking and tearing the other party apart.” “Save that for the socialists.”
Conservative influencer Benny Johnson said he was “well aware” of the debates within the conservative movement, but said Trump’s supporters should focus on his victories, such as tightening border security.
“I want to make something very clear here which is that your enemy is not the people you have good faith disagreements with within your movement,” he said. “Your enemy is the Marxists, and they will compete against us strongly in the midterm elections and in 2028.”
However, it was clear that the conservative movement was not on the same page about war with Iran. While there was little criticism of Trump, some warned of deepening the conflict.
“A ground invasion of Iran would make our country poorer and less safe,” said former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz. “It would mean higher gas prices, higher food prices, and I’m not sure we would end up killing more terrorists than we would have created.”
Steve Bannon, a longtime Trump ally, said that “the decision to move forward is clearly the decision of the commander in chief,” but noted that the American people still needed convincing.
“You have to be convinced that this is the right thing to do, especially since we are now on the cusp of potentially introducing American combat forces,” he said. “Your sons, daughters, granddaughters and great-grandchildren can be there Kharg Island Or hold a beachhead down before Strait of Hormuz. “
Last ballot from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research It shows that Trump risks disappointing his voters if gas prices continue to rise while the country faces the kind of long war in the Middle East that… He promised to avoid that.
The conference was attended by hundreds of Iranian Americans who support US military action in Iran and have often organized impromptu pro-war demonstrations.
The crowds chanted loud chants of “Thank you, Trump! Thank you, Trump!”
David Mansouri, an Iranian immigrant and American citizen who lives in Plano, Texas, described the conflict as a war of liberation that could lay the foundation for a new American ally in the Middle East.
“It is the best time to make America great again,” Al-Mansouri said, describing Iran as “the biggest piece of the puzzle.”
Trump’s handling of immigration received some big applause at the conference, and among the special guests was a recently retired Border Patrol commander. Gregory Bovino. He led high-profile urban crackdowns, but was pushed aside after two protesters were killed by federal agents in Minneapolis.
Bovino briefly took to the stage during Benny Johnson’s speech. Actor Dean Cain also shook Bovino’s hand.
Tom Homan, the Trump administration border official who took over for Bovino in Minnesota, was also at the conference. He drew cheers when he said Trump would not walk away from the deportation campaign.
“I don’t care if people hate me,” he said.
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Catalini reported from Mooresville, Pennsylvania.