The two-day conference is called “Principles First: The Summit”. It will also highlight state GOP officials who refused support Trump’s attempts to stop President Joe Biden taking office after 2020.
CBS News received a draft of four pages from the National Press Club for the schedule.
Heath Mayo (Republican attorney), is the founder of Principles First for America. The advocacy group hosting the summit confirmed the schedule.
It is noteworthy that the event was held at a time when Trump and his associates were speaking at the highly-publicized Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando. CPAC was a stronghold of Trump support last year. Attendees posed next to a fiberglass replica of Trump and gave him a warm welcome on the stage.
In an interview, Mayo stated that his event would “certainly counterprogramme of CPAC” and provide an opportunity for Republicans who are wary of Trump’s grip on the GOP to network and have early discussions regarding whether their wing could unite behind a similar candidate for the Republican presidential nomination.
Mayo stated that they wanted to unite in a visual display of support for those who have stood for their ideas even when it wasn’t easy. You don’t see them in rooms that are energetic. But I believe the energy is there. We’ll see how many people show up.
Mayo said, “I believe there’s a lane here to 2024.” The party is stuck in a rut discussing if the last electoral process was legitimate. If Liz Cheney, [Maryland Governor Larry] Hogan or another compelling candidate wants to run, I believe a lot would listen.”
Hogan, who is a Trump critic, recently gave up on the chance to run for a U.S. Senate spot in Maryland. He said that he would be open to a potential 2024 presidential candidacy.
Mayo stated that Bill Palatucci, a prominent Republican National Committee member, was a recent addition on Saturday’s conference agenda. Palatucci’s appearance follows tensions within the RNC over its financial and political support for Trump. He is currently facing several legal challenges.
Palatucci is a trusted confidant to Chris Christie, the former GOP governor from New Jersey. The RNC passed a resolution at its Winter Meeting in Salt Lake City earlier this month that condemned Cheney and Kinzinger’s roles on the House select panel.
Palatucci stated in an interview that “they invited me to speak after the RNC events and I’m glad to do it.” It’s important that these conversations are openly discussed.”
According to the schedule, Cheney will address the summit via remote access on February 26 and Kinzinger will give the closing keynote speech on February 27. Denver Riggleman (ex-Va Republican Congressman) is scheduled to also speak.
Just weeks after the RNC’s resolution aimed at Cheney and Kinzinger was passed, House Republican Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy supported Harriet Hageman, Cheney’s primary opponent in Wyoming.
McCarthy’s support for Hageman came after months of public disputes between Cheney and Republican Party. These were a result of her vote to impeach Trump following the attack at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Before she was elected in May 2021, Cheney was previously a member of McCarthy’s leadership team and the House GOP’s conference chairman.
Geoff Duncan, Georgia’s Republican lieutenant- governor, will also speak at Principles First: The Summit on February 27. Trump has attacked Duncan for standing with Brad Raffensperger (the Republican Secretary of State in Georgia), who declared Mr. Biden’s victory within the state under pressure from Trump and other Republicans. Mayo stated that Raffensperger will address the conference via remote access.
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman was a key figure in the impeachment proceedings against Trump.
Dunn, a Black officer in police, testified to the select committee last Year. He said that he experienced intense racism and violence while on duty during the assault at the Capitol.
