PRESIDENT TRUMP REVEALS BOLD VISION AT CPAC, PROMISES POLITICAL TRANSFORMATION
Trump criticizes Biden as he outlines federal reform plans and immigration policy initiatives.
OXON HILL, Md. (AP)— President Donald Trump energized his base at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday, boldly asserting, "Nobody’s ever seen anything like this," as he discussed sweeping reforms aimed at overhauling the U.S. government and immigration system.
Trump addressed thousands of supporters, reflecting on his first weeks back, where he feels he has "dominated" Washington by initiating plans to fire thousands of federal employees. His rhetoric painted his administration as unique, stating, "We’re going to forge a new and lasting political majority..." He asserted this is only the beginning of what he termed necessary changes to the federal bureaucracy.
"Voters gave me a mandate to overhaul government, cracker down on the U.S.-Mexico border and extend tax cuts," Trump declared, stating his belief the Republican Party was on track to achieve unprecedented victories, defying historical trends where the sitting president’s party often struggles during midterm elections.
Emphasizing his confidence, he likened the start of his administration to hitting the first four holes of golf successfully. His approach has even involved bolstering partnerships with high-profile figures like Elon Musk, who Trump has empowered to assist with his federal workforce plans. Musk hinted at advancing plans to evaluate employee productivity by dispatching emails across the federal government. "Failure to respond will be taken as resignation," Musk posted, confirming they are reshaping the governmental workforce.
Among the most discussed topics was Trump's intention to shift immigration policies. While asserting his tough stance on immigration, his administration's firings dominated the narrative. Notably, Trump announced significant changes at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), indicating officers from Customs and Border Protection would now operate from their offices.
Delving deep, Trump also referenced previous election cycles, criticizing President Joe Biden and mispronouncing the name of former Vice President Kamala Harris, stating, "I haven’t said her name in a long time." Trump’s humor and occasional expletives showcased his candid, if controversial, style of rallying his base.
Trump’s attention also shifted to international politics as he shared insights from his discussions with world leaders, such as Polish President Andrzej Duda and Argentine President Javier Milei. He praised Duda as "a fantastic man and great friend" of the U.S., stressing the importance of international allegiances amid rising tensions with Russia.
Critiquing Biden's approach to Ukraine, Trump contradicted Biden's established policy of engaging Ukraine directly, instead simplifying U.S. involvement—which traditionally included Ukrainian representation—by claiming he might be close to brokering peace, stating, "I think we’re pretty close to a deal..." He added, "It affects Europe. It doesn’t really affect us." His comments raised eyebrows, especially as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded, accusing Trump of narrowing the facts surrounding the war.
Further, Trump hosted governors from across the nation during the CPAC gathering, quipping about his openness to democratic concerns, stating he might address them first. "Let us all recommit ourselves to strengthening America and...united nation, and maybe together this will be easier if we start uniting," he stressed, though the comment might be subtly directed at unification within traditionally polarized party lines.
The overall tone of Trump's address underscored his conviction for reform, delving passionately to declare, "We want to see if the gold is still there" at Fort Knox, improvising political theater as he called on supporters to hold their government accountable. His meeting also emphasized the balance he seeks to strike between international dealings and domestic upheaval as he manages various influences within his administration.
With plans already significant enough to attract attention, Trump’s ambitions rest on solidifying support not just from his party but also from independents and disillusioned voters from the previous democrat-led era. The intertwining of business affairs, particularly through key figures such as Musk, could reshape the conversation surrounding public service and what truly drives political ambitions.