Orlando, Florida – The Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) is in full swing on Saturday and will see several important names talking about the issues facing the country and the conservative movement.
The biggest names include South Dakota governor Kristi Noem, who became a prominent name last year for dealing with the state during the coronavirus pandemic – when she refused to close the state, keeping schools and businesses open.
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Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will also speak at the conference “How the Bill of Rights Inspires Us at Home and in the World”. Pompeo and Noem were seen as potential candidates for the presidency in 2024.
Earlier in the day, Senator Marco Rubio was due to address his home state as the first speaker of the day – but he had to withdraw due to an unexpected family problem. Also in the morning, the former acting director of National Intelligence, Ric Grenell, will speak.
There will also be several panels throughout the day. “Sell Outs: The Devaluing of American Citizenship” will feature Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Reps. Yvette Herrell, RN.M., and Paul Gosar, R-Arizona, talk about immigration-related issues.
Separately, there will be a panel on China with Senator Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., And former Ambassador Robert Lighthizer. A panel on Biden’s energy policies will include representatives Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, Mike Kelly, R-Pa. And Senator Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo.
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Other panels will include one on the Second Amendment, abortion and “the awakening of corporate America”. There will also be discussion sessions on trade, electoral law and foreign policy.
Meanwhile, House minority leader Kevin McCarthy and Representative Jim Banks, R-Ind., Will speak on the subject of “Conquering America”.
CPAC, which is being sponsored by Fox Nation, is the first major event for conservatives since the presidential election. It is an opportunity for conservatives to reevaluate the movement and find out what it should be like in the Biden era.
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But that conversation will likely have former President Donald Trump at its center for now. The 45th president will speak on Sunday and is expected to offer a forceful rebuke to the first month of Biden’s presidency – while setting out what the Republican Party needs to do to win Congress in the 2022 elections.
Trump’s influence was felt throughout the conference, with regular references to his accomplishments in the position by speakers – and memorabilia for sale and being used by attendees. Meanwhile, some of the strongest anti-Trump voices were not present at the conference.
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The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were also visible at the conference. Although the conference moved from Maryland to Orlando due to restrictions, participants should still wear masks and do health checks when entering the conference.
Fox News’ John Roberts contributed to this report.