Never Trump Movement Gathers, Warns of 'Authoritarian Cult' Threat to Democracy
Over and over, the Republicans and former Republicans who gathered just outside Washington this weekend issued stark warnings that President Donald Trump and his allies in Congress are tearing at the very fabric of American democracy. The event, held at the sixth annual Principles First summit in National Harbor, Maryland, featured passionate speeches from political figures who described Trumpism as a dire threat to the nation's foundational values.
Diminished but Determined: The State of the Movement
The main convention hall was half empty, with about 750 chairs set up in a space that could have accommodated thousands. Many seats remained unfilled, and not a single current Republican elected official participated in the two-day program. This sparse attendance underscores the diminished political clout of the Never Trump movement, a coalition of Republicans, former Republicans, and independents who banded together as Trump consolidated power.
John McDowell, 69, a former Capitol Hill staffer and county Republican official from San Carlos, California, acknowledged the group's limited influence. "It's just a fact. We're losing good people," he said. "The party is becoming more and more MAGA-fied." McDowell, who was a lifelong Republican before Trump's emergence, noted that the movement has virtually "zero" political power within the GOP today.
Voices of Concern and Criticism
Former Republican Rep. Joe Walsh did not mince words at the podium, imploring Trump's critics to recognize the seriousness of the threat. "He's everything our founders feared. Say it. Believe it," Walsh declared. He labeled his former party as "an authoritarian-embracing cult" and "a threat to everything I love."
Retired Gen. Mark Hertling, who once commanded the U.S. Army's European forces, expressed being "haunted" by allies questioning whether American institutions can ever be trusted again. "Our nation's institutions have been shaken. Our alliances have been strained. Our credibility has been damaged. And our nation's values have been cast aside," Hertling said, his voice shaking with emotion. He suggested looking to the reconstruction of Germany after Nazism as a roadmap for post-Trump recovery, emphasizing that restoring democracy would take many years of effort.
Optimism Amidst the Gloom
Despite the dire concerns, a slight sense of optimism permeated the half-empty convention hall and quiet hotel hallways. Several attendees cheered last week's Supreme Court decision to strike down Trump's tariffs, which he has used without congressional approval to pressure global allies and foes. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a former Trump adviser, highlighted recent AP-NORC polling showing that 1 in 4 Republicans nationwide disapprove of Trump's job performance. "It's like any show that's on TV for a long time — the ratings start to go down. And the ratings are going down," Christie noted. He predicted, "I am willing to bet you that by next February, this room is going to be twice the size of what it is now. After the midterms, you watch."
Bill Kristol, who worked in previous Republican administrations and helped found the Weekly Standard magazine, described Trump and his Republican supporters in Congress as "an existential threat" to the nation. However, he remained optimistic about the upcoming midterm elections, stating that Democrats are "almost certain to win the House," "could possibly win the Senate," and have "a good chance to win the presidency" in 2028.
Personal Stories and Political Exile
Virtually everyone at the summit said they are rooting for Democratic victories in the fall's midterm elections, reflecting their status as political exiles—not fully at home among Democrats yet disgusted by Trump's abandonment of Republican principles like free trade and limited government. Ex-MAGA diehard Rich Logis, wearing a red "I left MAGA hat," hopes to see "an electoral revolt against MAGA" in the midterms. "I think there's a shift in our country right now," he said. "It happens slowly." Logis was promoting support groups for friends and family of Trump loyalists, while nearby, someone sold books about how to escape cults.
Brittany Martinez, executive director of Principles First, tried to cast an optimistic tone despite describing her inability to continue as a Republican staffer on Capitol Hill. "I hope that Republicans continue to wake up," she said. "I do think that those folks exist. And I hope that they exist in greater numbers."
White House Dismissal
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson dismissed the criticism from the summit, calling it "a bunch of deranged has-been politicians." She asserted, "The only people who will pay attention to this event are the journalists who are forced to cover it." This response highlights the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and its Republican critics, underscoring the deep divisions within the party as the movement seeks to regain relevance in a changing political landscape.
