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WASHINGTON – U.S. Conservatives praised Donald Trump at an annual meeting on Friday, unveiling even a golden statue of the former president to show he remains a Republican political force despite violent scenes in Washington last month.
Well-known Conservatives in Congress, including Senators Tom Cotton and Josh Hawley and lawmakers Steve Scalise and Matt Gaetz – were among President Trump loyalists speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Florida, which former President Trump will to be addressed on Sunday.
“Let me tell you something: Donald Trump is not going anywhere,” said Senator Ted Cruz.
During the tumultuous last weeks of former President Trump in office, his supporters carried out a deadly attack on the United States Capitol on Jan. 6, in an attempt to block congressional certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential election, a victory that Mr. Trump wrongly claimed was permeated by widespread manipulation.
Golden statue
In case there was any doubt that this year’s CPAC was dedicated to Mr. Trump, the statue of the former president, wearing a blue jacket, red tie and red, white and blue boxing pants, was displayed in conference venue.
The statue immediately drew criticism online.
“Worshiping idols is not conservative. “#RestoreOurGop,” said Adam Kinzinger, one of 10 Republican lawmakers who voted to start a trial against former President Trump on charges of inciting the Jan. 6 attack.
Lawmaker Gaetz declared himself part of the “pro-Trump, First America” wing of the conservative movement. “We are not really one arm, we are the whole body,” he said.
He also appeared to envision a future role for Mr. Trump, who is considering another presidential bid in 2024, saying: “Trump may not have dried up the swamp by the end – yet.”
Former President Trump is expected to speak on Sunday about the party’s future and introduce policy changes within a group torn apart by disagreements after his four years in office.
“The divide is now between ‘elites in the capital’ and conservative bases around the country,” said an adviser to former President Trump who helped prepare the speech.
Former President Trump will also offer critical rhetoric to President Biden.
Supporters of former President Trump at Friday’s conference reiterated some of his false claims, arguing that these justified new restrictions on voting.
In addition to the 10 Republicans in the House of Representatives who voted to blame President Trump, seven Senate Republicans voted to condemn him for inciting rebellion, although the 57-43 vote did not reach the two-thirds majority needed to condemn him.
Some advisers say they want former President Trump not to use his speech to deal with the election again, but instead offer a clear perspective for Republicans to regain control of the House of Representatives and Senate in congressional elections in 2022.
Candidacy in 2024?
The prospect of former President Trump, 74, running for president again in 2024 complicates life for other Republicans aspiring to be president, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former Vice President Mike Pence.
Former Vice President Pence, who was in the Capitol with his family when protesters attacked shouting “Hang Mike Pence!”, Was not expected to attend this year’s CPAC.
CPAC is an event hosted by the American Conservative Union, whose chairman, Matt Schlapp, is close to former President Trump. It is a major forum for speakers who want to gauge interest in running for president based on the enthusiasm they create.
Many Republicans think former President Trump will flirt with another quick show in the field of candidates for 2024, but believe he will ultimately choose not to run. Former President Trump himself has privately confessed to advisers that he would like to run./VOA/
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