Local Republicans react to Trump’s recent news conference
In the wake of President Elect Donald Trump’s first post-election news conference, The Monterey Peninsula Republican Women Federated said they’re feeling pretty energized.
“We are looking to make American great again, make California great again,” said Juli Mithcell, President of Monterey Peninsula Republican Women’s Federated.
Make American great again is the theme of their monthly group meeting. Members discussed Trump’s big win and influence going forward.
“It’s all fake news, its phony stuff,” said Trump.
“I imagine he may dial it back a little bit once he’s in office,” said MPRWF member Lawrence Moore. “But he was definitely Trump all the way.”
The President Elect addressed claims that Russian operatives are holding compromising information about him, doing away with affordable healthcare and building the wall at the U.S. Mexico border.
“Mexico in some form, and there are many different forms, will reimburse us,” said Trump.
“I think that we need to have the people coming into our country be vetted,” said Monterey Peninsula Republican Women’s Federated Karen Leonard.
The group also widely agreed with his cabinet choices and take on national security.
“The world will respect America again because of Trump’s foreign policy and his strong leadership,” said MPRWF member Karen Reissman.
“I do think that Monterey itself is a big military area and he’s definitely pro-veterans and pro-military,” said Mitchell. “I think that that will also see an improvement as well.”
But not everyone was on the same page with all of his ideas and promises. Some voiced concern about economic ties between the U.S. and Mexico being disrupted, especially within the agriculture industry if a wall were built.
“If Donald Trump is as committed to making America great again and relieving burdens on business and making business work again, then he has to realize that agriculture has special needs,” said guest Speaker Mark Carbonaro. “That they do need that foreign workforce.”
MPRWF said their membership is really growing. They said they had about 50 new members in 2016.
