Presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump sought to broaden his appeal with conservative Christians, speaking at the annual Faith and Freedom Caucus and Concerned Women for America-sponsored “Road to Majority” Conference in Washington, D.C. Friday afternoon. Following a speech by former Republican candidate Carly Fiorina, Trump blasted Hillary Clinton’s record as Secretary of State and called Clinton “crooked,” a common nickname he has used for the presumptive Democratic nominee throughout the 2016 race.
Trump also laid out several socially conservative goals for the country, among them “[upholding] the sanctity and dignity of life” and “[protecting] the right of people of faith to freely practice their faith.” Trump further accused the Democrats of dividing the country on the basis of race and religion and emphasized his ability to unite the country. When Trump condemned the allowance of Syrian refugees into America, however, several groups of loud protesters chanted “Stop Trump!” Trump supporters loudly chanted back “Build that wall!” and “USA!”
Trump continued speaking after the disturbance, calling the protesters “very rude,” touting his “pro-life” picks for the Supreme Court, and emphasizing his tough stances on issues of law and order, particularly with regard to immigration law but also relating to the right to keep and bear arms. Clinton, Trump said, “wants to abolish the Second Amendment.”
More broadly, Trump said that he would “turn things around” and accused Democrats of being on the wrong side of trade, education, poverty eradication, and religious liberty. Trump also gave credit to Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), to scattered applause, who accused Clinton of being in Wall Street’s pocket, saying that the allegations were “true” and that Trump is “spending his own money.”
“I care about [putting America first],” Trump said. “Hillary doesn’t care; I care.”
Elliot Hazzard works for the American Principles Project.
