The Principles First summit, held last weekend in Washington, aimed to present itself as the anti-MAGA alternative to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), which was taking place just a few miles away. The event was marked by a bomb scare that briefly interrupted proceedings, highlighting the tense atmosphere surrounding the gathering of Republicans who oppose the current direction of the party under Donald Trump.
Attendees at the Principles First summit included prominent figures from a bygone era of the Republican Party, with a lineup that featured notable speakers such as Bill Kristol, a well-known neoconservative commentator, and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Kristol, who has been a vocal critic of Trump, has positioned himself as a leader among those who reject the former president’s influence, despite his long history of controversial political positions. Christie, on the other hand, has had a tumultuous relationship with Trump, having once supported him before turning into a vocal critic after being ousted from the president’s inner circle.
The summit attracted a crowd that some observers described as a nostalgic gathering of Republicans who feel alienated by the party’s current trajectory. Kristol’s presence was particularly notable, as he has often been criticized for his past misjudgments in foreign policy, with commentators like Tucker Carlson suggesting that Kristol’s track record should have rendered him less influential. Despite this, Kristol reassured attendees that the Trump era is an anomaly and that true conservatives must simply endure until the political landscape shifts back in their favor.
Other speakers included Alberto Gonzales, former Attorney General under George W. Bush, whose inclusion raised eyebrows given his controversial record, including allegations of perjury and complicity in torture practices. The presence of such figures has led critics to question the credibility of the summit’s claims to uphold constitutional norms and ethical governance.
The event also featured voices from organizations like The Bulwark and The Dispatch, which emerged from the remnants of the now-defunct Weekly Standard. Speakers such as Stephen Hayes and Jonah Goldberg discussed the importance of truth in politics, despite their own histories of promoting dubious narratives during the early years of the War on Terror.
The backdrop to the summit was a growing conflict within the GOP over the nomination of Elbridge Colby as undersecretary of defense for policy, which has faced opposition from establishment Republicans. This internal strife reflects a broader struggle within the party as it grapples with the legacy of Trump and the future of its foreign policy stance.
Despite the high-profile nature of the summit, it appears that the brand of Republicanism represented by the attendees holds little appeal to the broader electorate. As new voices within the party, such as Vice President J.D. Vance, signal a departure from traditional neoconservative policies, the relevance of gatherings like Principles First may be diminishing. The sentiment among attendees seemed to be one of grievance rather than a cohesive vision for the future, suggesting that the party’s internal divisions are far from resolved.