Press: Dueling Republicans descend on Washington

The South Carolina primary gave both Trumpers and never-Trumpers something to cheer about. For Trumpers, it was the former president’s fourth victory in a row, catapulting him closer to securing the Republican nomination. For never-Trumpers, it was evidence that not all Republicans believe he should get a second chance. Fifty percent of Republicans voted against Trump in Iowa. Forty percent voted against him in South Carolina.

That fracture in the GOP was also on full display last weekend in Washington, where two wings of the Republican Party held dueling conventions. National Harbor hosted the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Downtown Washington’s Conrad Hotel welcomed members of Principles First. They were both Republican gatherings, but they could not have sent a more dissimilar message to the American people. 

No surprise, CPAC was pure “MAGA Central.” Over the first two days, like a mini-version of “The Apprentice,” politicians vying to be Donald Trump’s running mate — entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) — took turns wooing the crowd. 

The star of the show, of course, was Trump himself, who vowed in a chilling speech that reelection would be his “ultimate and absolute revenge,” would serve as “judgment day” for his political opponents and would result in the “biggest deportation in American history.”

The MAGA crowd endorsed Trump over Nikki Haley, 94-5 percent. What a contrast with the scene at the Principles First conference, which I attended. Founded in 2019 by a group of right and center-right conservatives who didn’t like where Trump was taking the Republican Party, Principles First has emerged as the home base of conservative Republicans opposed to Trump. 

In a Saturday panel, three former top Trump staffers — presidential assistant Alyssa Farah Griffin, deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews and Chief of Staff Mark Meadows aide Cassidy Hutchinson — painted their former boss as a serious danger to the country. 

Charlie Sykes, a former conservative talk show host and founder of The Bulwark, stressed that Trump didn’t represent true conservatives. “We’re still Republicans,” he insisted, “but we’re not crazy. We signed up for a libertarian party, not a fascist party.”

Sunday morning, three prominent legal conservatives — attorney George Conway, former Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) and retired federal judge J. Michael Luttig — warned that Trump’s reelection would pose a threat to “American democracy, the Constitution and the rule of law.” And they blasted conservative organizations like the Federalist Society for not opposing Trump’s authoritarian agenda.

Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), member of the January 6 Committee, wrapped up the event. Like others before him, he stressed that he was still a Republican who believed in limited government. But, Kinzinger added, “I want to make this clear. If it comes down in November to Trump vs. Biden, I’m going to vote for Biden.” The crowd of Republicans roared its approval.

In her remarks, Hutchinson reminded the audience of former Rep. Liz Cheney’s (R-Wyo.) criticism of fellow Republicans for slavishly following Donald Trump: “There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, but your dishonor will remain.” 

Just the opposite is true of those brave Republicans who attended the Principles First conference. They may not succeed in stopping him. But there will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, and the honor of those who dared stand up and oppose him will remain.

Press hosts “The Bill Press Pod.” He is the author of “From the Left: A Life in the Crossfire.”