Principles, First
We headed to D.C. for the annual Principles First Conference
I had the pleasure of taking my yearly trip to D.C. for the Principles First conference last weekend. In recent years, American Values Coalition has been a proud sponsor to the conference, and it has been our privilege to see this movement of principled Americans grow and unite in mission. Last year, I wrote about the surprise bomb threat we encountered, which certainly kept things interesting…this year was less dangerous, but just as meaningful. You can watch the full conference here.
More than anything, this conference is a yearly reminder of the common ground Americans share. It’s always a morale booster to meet people from across the country, dedicated to fairness, equality, the constitution, and the rule of law. Oftentimes in this political climate, it’s easy to forget there are more of us “political normies” than those shouting online into their digital “microphones.” Unfortunately, the extremists who have stolen the stage for the past decade. For those of us who work in politics, that echo-chamber of negativity can seem even louder. But this event always offers alternative hope.
There’s a time to tear down and a time to build up, and in the spirit of the fellowship we shared last weekend, we’d encourage you to check out our fellow sponsors’ work and support their individual causes within our shared pro-democracy space. In no particular order, you may review their efforts here:
We wish you all a great weekend and encourage you to take a break from the news cycle to reconnect with friends and family—it’ll bring a new optimism and grounded-ness that’s essential to rebuilding our shared project.
What Else We’re Reading
Washington Post: Trump, seeking executive power over elections, is urged to declare emergency
Pro-Trump activists are circulating a draft executive order alleging Chinese interference in the 2020 election, proposing a national emergency to expand presidential power over voting, like banning mail ballots and voting machines.
Investigative Post: Blind refugee abandoned by Border Patrol is dead
Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a Rohingya refugee from Burma, was nearly blind and spoke no English. He was dropped off by agents in Buffalo on the other side of town from his home. His family was not notified of his release. Police are investigating.
New York Times: Epstein Files Are Missing Records About Woman Who Made Claim Against Trump
The Justice Department did not release key records in the Epstein files about a woman who made an unverified accusation against Donald Trump, in which she said Trump assaulted her in the 1980s when she was a minor. This story has also been verified by NPR and CNN.
Tom Nichols: The Republican Party Has a Nazi Problem
The Republicans have a Nazi problem, yes. But this means that the United States also has a Nazi problem. The responsibility for defeating it in the 21st century falls, as it did in the 20th, to everyone—of any party or creed—who still believes in the American idea.
NBC News: Texas U.S. citizen was fatally shot by an immigration agent last year during a stop, new records show
The death of Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, would mark the earliest of at least six deadly shootings by federal officers since the start of the Trump administration's nationwide immigration crackdown.
David French: Christians Against Empathy Aren’t Who They Think They Are
The problem isn’t with empathy, which is a vital human virtue, but rather in its selective application. Just as we wouldn’t call love a sin because we might be stingy in our love, empathy isn’t a sin because its application is incomplete.
Or, put another way, our problem isn’t with too much empathy, but too little.
What Else We’re Watching:
Our Director, Napp Nazworth, responds to “Trump’s State of the Union Double- Standard”:
It was good to see you!