Iran War Sparks Division Among Conservatives at CPAC The ongoing conflict with Iran has intensified divisions within the Republican Party, particularly at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), where debates over military action and foreign policy have become a focal point. The event, held in Grapevine, Texas, has exposed tensions among conservatives, with some advocating for a strong stance against Iran while others question the wisdom of escalating tensions. These disagreements have played out both in public forums and online, raising concerns about the party’s cohesion ahead of the midterm elections. Blake Zummo, a member of the Trump Tribe of Texas, voiced her opposition to President Donald Trump’s approach to the Iran conflict. Zummo, who grew up in Iran during the 1970s, criticized the idea that the war is necessary, arguing that Trump’s actions risk dragging the U.S. into unnecessary Middle East entanglements. “This is finally the first president that had the nerve to go in and do what needed to be done to protect the American people,” she said outside the conference hall. However, her views contrast with those of other attendees, including former Rep. Matt Gaetz, former Trump strategist Steve Bannon, and Blackwater founder Erik Prince, who have all expressed skepticism about U.S. military involvement in Iran. CPAC chairman Matt Schlapp acknowledged the growing debate over the war’s consequences, noting that the conference’s audience is “nervous” about military operations. He warned that if Republicans lose control of Congress in the fall, discussions about the war’s impact could dominate the event. “Any time there’s a military operation, people are nervous about it,” Schlapp said before the conference opened.#steve_bannon #cpac #matt_schlapp #matt_gaetz #erik_prince
ICE agents have been deployed to airports. Are the polls next? Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been sent to major airports across the United States, sparking debates about the potential use of federal law enforcement at polling places during the 2026 midterm elections. The move has drawn sharp reactions from political figures and election officials, with some warning of the risks it poses to voting rights and others dismissing the concerns as alarmist. The deployment of ICE agents to airports, including George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, has been framed by some as a test run for a broader strategy to involve federal officers in election infrastructure. Steve Bannon, a former Trump advisor, has suggested that the airport operation could serve as a model for positioning ICE agents at polling sites, arguing that the agency’s presence could help “perfect” its role in the midterms. Bannon’s remarks have reignited fears among Democrats and election officials that the Trump administration might attempt to use ICE as a tool to suppress voter turnout, particularly in communities of color. Maryland Governor Wes Moore, a Democrat, has linked the airport deployment to what he describes as a larger effort by the Trump administration to consolidate power through federal law enforcement. He warned that the use of ICE in airports and neighborhoods could signal a broader plan to “adjust democratic elections” if the administration faces challenges in retaining power. Moore emphasized that such actions would violate federal law, which prohibits the deployment of armed federal agents to polling places unless there is an imminent threat.#ice #wes_moore #george_bush_intercontinental_airport #steve_bannon #brennan_center_for_justice
