Staff Reports
In a whirlwind of red, white, and blue spectacle at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland, Republican heavyweights have taken center stage to proclaim their opposition to funneling any more military support to Ukraine. With the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine looming, the GOP is standing divided on foreign policy. Trump’s top allies, who are clearly the crème de la crème, are echoing his stance of skepticism towards providing Ukraine with additional foreign aid and emphasizing the need for European allies to pony up for their own defense expenses.
The conference, which has basically become a coronation ceremony for the former president, is hammering home the message that “Globalism is on life support” and that CPAC is the place “Where Globalism Goes to Die.” These GOP bigwigs are really sticking it to big international organizations and their attempts to meddle in the affairs of sovereign nations.
But wait, there’s more! During a speech at CPAC, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) raised the roof with his fiery remarks, challenging President Biden to prioritize the border of the United States over that of Ukraine. Meanwhile, he also threw his support behind a prominent GOP presidential candidate who has pledged to turn a blind eye to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) if they don’t cough up more dough for defense spending.
Next up in this star-studded GOP gala, Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) suggested that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a direct result of the U.S. pushing NATO onto Ukraine. In his opinion, this entire conflict is a result of Uncle Sam poking the bear one too many times. A different CPAC panel saw Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) arguing that the U.S. should be prioritizing its own citizens instead of getting tangled up in what seems like an endless foreign conflict.
The White House, on the other hand, is sounding the alarm for more funding for the war in Ukraine after the recent death of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny. The Biden administration is making it rain pleas for more cash, tying Russia’s recent win in the city of Avdiivka to delayed financial support that left Ukrainian troops rationing ammunition and handing the Kremlin a sweet victory.
However, not all Republicans are marching to the same drumbeat at CPAC, with some expressing their skepticism about the conference’s theme and the party’s unwavering support for Trump. They argue that this new direction is a far cry from the Republican Party of old, and they fear that Putin will run roughshod over Ukraine unchecked.
Nevertheless, American Conservative Union Chairman Matt Schlapp is standing firm, pointing out that the anti-globalism theme of CPAC isn’t just about foreign aid but is also a war cry against international organizations like the World Health Organization, the United Nations, the European Union, and the World Economic Forum. Schlapp is determined to put the kibosh on what he calls “neocolonialism” and the Biden administration’s attempts to strongarm other countries into submission.
In conclusion, CPAC is buzzing with high-flying rhetoric, chest-thumping bravado, and enough political drama to make even the juiciest reality TV show jealous. The conservative troops are rallying around the flag, taking aim at globalism, and showing no signs of backing down. It looks like the battle lines are drawn, and the Republicans at CPAC are ready to go to the mat for their beliefs.
