President Donald Trump gave a rousing speech at the NRA convention on Friday, reminiscent of those he gave on the campaign trail en route to a stunning victory over Hillary Clinton in November.
The President, the first in office to speak here since Ronald Reagan in 1983, assured the thousands in attendance that he would be their ultimate ally in defending the second amendment. “You came through for me, and I am going to come through for you” he declared. “As your president, I will never ever infringe on the right of the people to keep and bear arms. Freedom is not a gift from government, freedom is a gift from god.”
Trump also asked the audience to support Congressional candidate Karen Handel, for whom he is hosting a press conference later today. He pulled no punches in painting rival Jon Ossoff as a dyed in the wool liberal, one who would oppose the second amendment rights so adamantly defended by the NRA.
The President thanked many of the politicians in attendance, notably Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, who still has this year’s version of the campus carry legislation sitting on his desk. Former Florida Congressman Allen West, who spoke near later in the afternoon, echoed those sentiments. Said West, “Governor Deal, if you’re listening to me now, sign that campus carry bill”
Texas Senator Ted Cruz took the stage after Trump, receiving a warm welcome despite his uneven support of the current President during the election cycle. Cruz showed off his public speaking prowess along with his deep knowledge of U.S. history, applauding the NRA audience for their role in “defending the Constitution.” “The second amendment reflects the right to defend our families, our homes, and our children” said Cruz, who will surely be a darling of the NRA crowd in Presidential primaries to come.
Cruz was followed by speakers including West, Florida Governor Rick Scott, and Georgia Senator David Perdue, all of whom carried the President’s message as staunch defenders of ‘constitutional freedom.’ With the support of the nation’s riches and most powerful civil rights group behind them, expect to see more of each of them on even bigger political stages in the future.
