Trump also referred to Pence, who was not present at the conference as a “conveyor man belt” for his role in moving electoral process forward, saying that he considered calling it a “robot”. Trump’s own aides testified that they told the president it would not be constitutional for pence in move cancel the election.
Pence’s representative did not provide on-the-record response to Trump’s speech. Several people those close to Pence said they believe time will justify former position of vice president January 6 among conservative voters, even as Trump continues to berate him for rejection step outside his ceremonial role overseeing the Electoral College count.
In an interview earlier this week, Mark Short, who was Pence’s boss of staff, said he believed Pence’s actions would ultimately benefit him. “Arc of history bow down to what he did,” he said.
On Friday afternoon, Trump delivered a speech at the annual Path to Majority conference hosted by the Faith and Freedom Coalition. preview of what the 2024 Republican presidential field might look like like. But Pence is together with Another possible presidential candidates – chose not to attend. Apart from Trump, no other speaker mentioned the January 6 meetings in the early days of the conference.
The 90 minute speech was first the time Trump spoke in the man’s rebuttal of the Jan. 6 committee hearing, which was broadcast to public in so far three dramatic films. His remarks – and his attacks on pence – were met with applause conservative crowd.
former the president aggressively tried to refute the narrative of a planned rebellion stemming from the hearings. Trump said at the conference that he hoped to bring back the 2020 state legislature election rather than cancel it entirely. move which, according to experts, would violate the Constitution.
Pence was also invited to speak at the convention, but declined, according to Ralph Reed. organization Founder, who closed with both men. “If Mike Pence wanted come and wanted argue with these people, he could have done it,” Reid said. in dinner with reporters on Friday afternoon. “I’m not saying that he should did it.”
Reed said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (right) was also invited but did not come.
The conference represented first big meeting of potential contenders for the 2024 Republican Party title, giving them chance to begin test messages with one of most influential audience in republican president politics: evangelical leaders and activists.
attacks against President Biden and Democrats focused on high inflation, high gas prices and links to the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Most added populists strain their tones, with barbs directed at major technology and corporate leaders. And everyone touched on cultural issues, mourning coronavirus protocols, school curriculum and shifts in gender identity that left hugs.
Trump also hinted that he might be looking for the White House again one thinking about our next Republican President,” adding, “I wonder if who it will.” He stopped when the crowd of about 2,000 people gave him a standing ovation.
“Someone like I, too run for the president?” Trump asked as the crowd whistled, applauded, and some began chanting “USA.”
But he was hardly the only one. one water testing. Senator Tim Scott (SC) who turned to the crowd on Friday morning walking back and forward on the ballroom stage and predicted that the Republicans would win majority in House of Representatives and Senate in November and then hand in hand up he added: “And then in two years – I have dream”, a reference to the Reverend Martin Luther King.
he made a pause for applause and then described dream of GOP control in Washington. “We will show America how you’re recovering from being punched in the stomach,” Scott said.
Senator Rick Scott (Florida), another Republican looking forward to 2024. run who chairs the Republican Senate campaign hand, said he was optimistic about the chances of the Republican Party in November. “The backlash is coming,” he said.
Scott also cited his controversial plan to increase the federal income tax for rough half of Americans.
The plan was widely seen as the first attempt at a presidential platform, and Democrats seized on it. on to this as proof that the Republican Party will pursue a tough policy on poor. “Is not for fainting of heart,” the Florida senator said. “It will instill fear in heart of some Republicans.”
reed group made great effort to achieve out Latin American religious leaders, bringing in several hundred of them. A little of in first the words in in program we in Spanish. Night of Prayer and Worship” included two prayers said by in Spanish and translated into English and Cuban group.
Three-day conference underway in well-air-conditioned air-conditioned ballroom at the large Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville. Sellers set up outside in the conference room they sold iodine tablets for protection against effects of fallout ($35) for seven-day supply) and pro-Trump t-shirts, including top-selling one decorated with the phrase “Trump told you about it.” The stand advertised pregnancy counseling services.
Possible Republican presidential candidates have portrayed Democrats as more how just opposition, but as almost anti-American force who dislike for the country. ” left wants nothing less than a revolution,” Nikki Haley, ambassador to the United Nations under the Trump administration, said during Thursday’s keynote speech. “They will have the opposite of 1776. They take us back”.
Scott went further: “Militant left wing in our country has become enemy from within.” He paused to let the audience understand his message. “You think that’s pretty dramatic, right? call them enemy from within.”
Scott suggested that the country needed corporal punishment. “BUT switch this is the southern form of encouragement,” he said, explaining how his mother used to hit his with one make him focus more on school. “Sometimes I look at our country today and think that we need a new the form of encouragement.”
Rep. Jim Jordan (Ohio) who said he hoped for Trump runs again, also hit on topic. ” left not like country,” he said. “They are not like in people who make things, grow things and move things.”
A few talked about Ukraine, with Hailey tells story about how she broke protocol by meeting with Ukrainians before her met with Russians as a UN ambassador. She used her admiration of Ukrainian militants claim that she says is a relative disadvantage. of she feels patriotism in America.
“I have a confession,” Hailey said. “I look at the Ukrainian people and understand that we had such a view of patriotism. It used to be us. We had it great American spirit and we need to get it back”.
There will be additional speakers, including Senate candidate Herschel Walker. of Georgia, who will take the stage on Saturday.
In addition to being angry at Pence, Trump also angry at others former advisers who testified, including Short, Bill Stepien and former advocate general William P. Barr, according to two people who spoke on condition of anonymity for discussion private conversations and paid great attention on hearing even like some of his advisers tried play down his interest.
During his Friday speech, Trump said Barr was too scared. of impeached intervene on his name. “Bill Barr was afraid of certain things. You know what they are,” Trump said.
