WASHINGTON — A significant assembly of conservatives gathered in a ballroom just a short distance from the White House, expressing concerns that the United States is veering away from the core values that once shaped its greatness. Many participants wore red hats featuring various phrases that poked fun at President Donald Trump and his “Make America Great Again” campaign.
This event marked the largest attendance yet for the “Principles First Summit,” which has expanded from promoting Trump’s second term to encouraging participation from independents and center-left Democrats united under a common vision of pro-democracy and anti-authoritarianism.
Heath Mayo, a Yale-educated lawyer and founder of Principles First five years ago, emphasized the importance of standing firm during these trying times. “This is not a time to bow down or comply,” he asserted. “Now is the moment to strengthen your resolve and prepare for a lengthy struggle.” Despite three days filled with discussions and grievances, the 1,200 attendees departed without a clear strategy for breaking Trump’s influence on the conservative agenda or America’s national identity.
There was no consensus on whether to operate within Republican circles, transition to the Democratic Party, or pursue an entirely different route. Jeff Oppenheim, a retired U.S. Army colonel from Austin, Texas, noted that while it’s reassuring to connect with others sharing similar frustrations, translating this solidarity into meaningful political action remains challenging due to the tightly controlled two-party system.
Mark Cuban, an entrepreneur and co-host of “Shark Tank,” received enthusiastic applause when he addressed the gathering. Although he affirmed that he would not seek the presidency, he offered a blunt critique of the Democratic Party’s failure to effectively communicate its message. Cuban stated that he respects Trump’s marketing prowess that resonates with voters, but dismissed the Democratic critiques of the former president as largely ineffective.
Prior to the gathering, Trump’s supporters characterized the event as an assembly of “RINOs,” a derogatory term for “Republicans in Name Only.” The White House communications director even mockingly dubbed it “the Cuck Convention,” using language intended to insult opponents.
Trump currently wields substantial influence over the Republican Party, with loyalists in Congress and a devoted supporter base. However, some of his remaining rivals within the party assert that there are still avenues to loosen his grip. Former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a frequent target of Trump’s ire who received a presidential pardon from Joe Biden, noted the slim Republican majority in the House of Representatives and suggested that lawmakers are becoming increasingly anxious. Recent town halls revealed voters’ frustrations with billionaire Trump advisor Elon Musk, who has taken actions leading to significant job losses among federal employees and service reductions.
Kinzinger encouraged critics to amplify their voices in public forums, describing such town halls as the most challenging environments for politicians. He stressed that Republican lawmakers currently only fear Trump, rather than the diverse group of critics opposing him. “When they begin to fear you, that will change their calculations,” he argued.
Councilmember Julie Spilsbury from Mesa, Arizona, aims to retain her position within the party, even though she voted for Kamala Harris in the presidential election. She supported the Democratic nominee on the grounds of “character and integrity” and is now facing a recall effort from Trump supporters in her area. “If you want to help, send me $10,” she urged fellow attendees to support her retention efforts.
When Asa Hutchinson, the former Arkansas governor and a candidate in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, along with centrist Democrat Jared Polis, shared cautious views on Trump’s early presidency, the reception varied greatly, with some responses ranging from muted to lukewarm. Particularly lukewarm was Hutchinson’s assertion that he believes Trump will respect judicial rulings against his executive actions.
However, applause erupted for police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, and spoke out against Trump’s decision to pardon many of his supporters involved in the Capitol breach. Michael Fanone, a former Washington officer attacked during the incident, emphasized the necessity of maintaining outrage and anger while diminishing fear. When asked if he would engage with Trump, Fanone dismissed the idea, suggesting the former president is unlikely to change his mind.
Following the event, attendees experienced a bomb threat targeting Fanone, which led to a swift evacuation of the venue. Fortunately, the situation was resolved without incident, though the conference organizers directly attributed the threat to a comment from Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who had recently been released from prison under Trump’s pardon.
Maria Stephan, a progressive attending her first Principles First summit, described the evacuation as “emboldening” in light of the event’s discussions. In contrast, Rich Logis of Florida, who formerly supported Trump and now identifies himself as having left the MAGA movement, cautioned attendees. He indicated that another wave of disillusioned supporters might emerge if Trump continues policies that are detrimental to Americans.
“Everyone has to identify their own breaking point,” Logis remarked. “Our role is to engage with individuals as they reach that moment.”
