The Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) 2024 theme, "Where Globalism Goes to Die," set the tone for this four-day conference held once again at the Gaylord Resort and Hotel in National Harbor, Maryland. Their theme is a shot across the bow of the insidious and aggressive globalism push in America from organizations like the World Economic Forum and the World Health Organization, as well as their overbearing influence throughout the world. CPAC has been doing a quiet re-branding as "CPAC International," and has incorporated international political organizations, leaders, and activists into their platform. On Wednesday they launched their first annual CPAC International Summit and Reception, hosting foreign heads of state, leaders, elected officials, political activists, and prominent voices from across the globe. Then on Thursday, they introduced the CPAC general session, and that day's international focus included former British Prime Minister Liz Truss and El Salvador President Nayib Bukele as keynote speakers. And it wouldn't be a conservative conference without a counter-protest: a small group gathered to demonstrate against Bukele in front of the Gaylord Thursday evening.

Friday's session was chock full of world collaboration, from former Independence Party leader and broadcaster Nigel Farage to leaders from the CPAC international branches in Hungary, Israel, Japan, and Australia. The cherry on top will be Saturday when CPAC Brazil enters the spotlight and Argentinian President Javier Milei is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech. With keynotes from former President and leading Republican presidential candidate Donald J. Trump, and tech entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Saturday will be a session for the books.

On Thursday, the general session opened with an electric rendition of our National Anthem by Christian Country singer and political activist Natasha Owens. Owens cut a swath not only with her vocals but with her Constitution-themed ballroom gown (pictured). CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp and CPAC Senior Fellow Mercedes Schlapp gave words of greeting and encouragement to the still-forming room.

Be Not Afraid. We need courage now more than ever before, Mercedes Schlapp intoned. The Left is trying to stop us full force, using the leftist media, the propaganda machine, using legal remedies to try to take us down. They want you to feel isolated, and we will not. We are a family, we are a community, we have come together, because we're going to take this country back.

The Schlapps then introduced FL Rep. Byron Donalds to rousing applause and cheers. The reception Donalds received made it clear that he is the "It Guy" for conservatives and the Republican Party. Donalds speech not only cemented the direction of the gathering but laid down focus and policy that was evocative of a politician making a national run. Donalds received his greatest applause and chants of "USA" with his comments about President Joe Biden's management of the southern border—or lack thereof.

My position to my colleagues on Capitol Hill is clear: You either secure the border or you get no money for the government.

[...]

So we have to be very clear about this: Joe Biden has a decision to make. Decide, Mr. President: Do you want to close Mount Rushmore so the Southern border can be open? Do you, Joe Biden, want to tell the last remaining of our World War II vets that they cannot see the World War II Memorial on the National Mall so we can have military-aged men from China and the Middle East come into our country illegally? Decide, Joe Biden, which country matters more to you: The border of the United States or the border of Ukraine?

Donalds introduced the conference with a solid foundation to lead into panels from radio host and podcaster Ben Ferguson with AL Senator Tommy Tuberville, to radio host and Townhall columnist Larry O'Connor with former Amb. to Germany and DNI Richard Grenell. Speakers included Lara Trump, The Daily Wire host Michael J. Knowles, and former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. The Thursday events concluded with an exclusive screening of the film "Cabrini," about the powerful work of Sister Maria Francesca Xavier Cabrini, who provided aid and resources to Italian immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th century. Cabrini founded the order of Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and is the first American Catholic to be canonized as a saint.

On tap for Friday: FL Rep. Matt Gaetz, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, NY Rep. Elise Stefanik, Newsmax host Rob Schmitt with OH Sen. J.D. Vance, investigative journalist Julie Kelly, and journalist and podcaster Megyn Kelly. Rounding out Friday evening Vivek Ramaswamy will M.C. the long-standing Reagan Dinner.

Leading the Saturday charge toward the big headliners of Trump and Milei will be journalist and host Lou Dobbs, Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, and founder of Operation Underground Railroad and anti-human trafficking activist Tim Ballard.

With some people thinking TPUSA's AmericaFest is overtaking CPAC as the conference to attend to be on the pulse of national conservatism, CPAC's pivot to include international leaders and voices who seek to spread conservative principles, freedoms, and individual liberties globally is working to keep the organization and its aims at the forefront of the movement.