The draft 2024 Republican Party platform was presented Monday to delegates on the convention‘s platform committee ahead of a final vote on adoption in Milwaukee next week. Entitled ‘America First: A Return to Common Sense,’ the document outlines several core elements of former President Donald J. Trump‘s agenda should he retake the White House in November’s presidential election. Border security, the deportation of illegal immigrants, ending the weaponization of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the protection of Social Security, fair trade, and election integrity are among the most prominent issues mentioned in the draft.
“Today we must once again call upon the same American Spirit that led us to prevail through every challenge of the past if we are going to lead our Nation to a brighter future,” the draft platform preamble reads. Striking Trump‘s trademark America First tone, it continues, laying out the former President’s “common sense” solutions to the border crisis, U.S. national security, inflation, and crime—among other issues.
AN AMERICA FIRST ECONOMY.
The draft platform offers a marked change from the globalist policies of the Republican Party of old. “Common Sense tells us clearly that if we don’t have Domestic Manufacturing with low Inflation, not only will our Economy—and even our Military Equipment and Supplies—be at the mercy of Foreign Nations, but our Towns, Communities, and People cannot thrive,” it states, adding: “Republican Party must return to its roots as the Party of Industry, Manufacturing, Infrastructure, and Workers.”
Addressing American energy, the draft document echoes Trump‘s calls to “unleash American Energy” as part of an effort to reduce inflation and ensure the nation’s energy independence.
Additionally, the platform’s pro-energy and pro-worker tone will likely help bolster Trump’s growing support among union households—a voter demographic the campaign sees as crucial to its victory in November. The National Pulse reported in June that Sean O’Brien, the president of the Teamsters Union, has accepted Trump‘s invitation to address the convention.
BORDER SECURITY.
Likewise, the draft document heavily focuses on border security and immigration. It reiterates former President Trump‘s words: “If we don’t have a Border, we don’t have a Country.” The platform states that the Trump White House will complete the border wall and enact enhanced screening of immigrants entering the United States through other avenues.
Notably, the platform reinforces Trump‘s call to tackle the unprecedented number of illegal immigrants who have entered the country under Joe Biden through sweeping deportations—supported by a majority of Americans. ” We will start by prioritizing the most dangerous criminals and working with local Police,” the document reads before continuing: “We must not allow Biden’s Migrant Invasion to alter our Country.”
CRYPTOCURRENCY.
A Republican platform first, the draft addresses emergent technologies like cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence. “Republicans will end Democrats’ unlawful and unAmerican Crypto crackdown and oppose the creation of a Central Bank Digital Currency,” the document states. It adds: “We will defend the right to mine Bitcoin, and ensure every American has the right to self-custody of their Digital Assets, and transact free from Government Surveillance and Control.”
Additionally, on the subject of artificial intelligence, the draft signals the intent for America to compete on the global stage—seeing the technology as a national security issue and not just an economic one. “We will repeal Joe Biden’s dangerous Executive Order that hinders AI Innovation, and imposes Radical Leftwing ideas on the development of this technology,” the platform reads, continuing: “In its place, Republicans support AI Development rooted in Free Speech and Human Flourishing.”
THE GOP IS STILL PRO-LIFE.
Lastly, while the platform did undergo some changes in the wake of the repeal of Roe v. Wade, the draft document reiterates the Republican commitment to the pro-life cause. “We proudly stand for families and Life,” the pro-life plank begins. “We believe that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees that no person can be denied Life or Liberty without Due Process, and that the States are, therefore, free to pass Laws protecting those Rights.”
“We will oppose Late Term Abortion, while supporting mothers and policies that advance Prenatal Care, access to Birth Control, and IVF (fertility treatments),” the platform draft concludes.
