HARRISBURG — While President Donald Trump ’s tariffs sent shockwaves via the stock market and concerns over trade conflicts across the global economy , Republicans at the biggest GOP event in Pennsylvania on Friday remained mostly unworried and were in celebratory spirits.
At the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference, an annual gathering of Republican leaders in Harrisburg, lawmakers and grassroots party members praised Trump’s executive actions and his upheaval of the federal government through billionaire adviser Elon Musk The Department of Government Efficiency led by him has pledged to keep capitalizing on Trump’s momentum, particularly since the Democratic Party continues to be viewed unfavorably. Additionally, they strongly criticized Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, who is set to run for re-election next year.
"I am thrilled because our party emerges victorious," stated Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who secured the highest number of votes for a statewide candidate in Pennsylvania’s history during the recent election. She is now seen as a frontrunner for the governorship in 2026.
This meeting marked the party's first significant assembly. following its widespread victories in November And demonstrated the willingness of Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania to back Trump’s idea of significantly shrinking the federal government, even if it means enduring brief spells of market instability.
U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick In a pre-recorded video interview with Washington Examiner columnist Salena Zito, which was scheduled around his U.S. Senate commitments, he discussed how the recent swift changes in administration reflect the sense of urgency that Senator Trump experienced following an alleged assassination attempt in Butler last year. McCormick. was on stage with Trump during the campaign rally At the Butler Farm Show Grounds just seconds prior to when the shooting began.
“What he’s doing…is precisely what he promised,” McCormick stated. “Therefore, nobody in Pennsylvania or anywhere else across the nation should be caught off guard.” He continued, reflecting on the spiritual aspect, "He believes there’s a significant movement underway, and personally, I share that sentiment."
There were also stronger defenses of DOGE presented.
"DOGE represents a significant transformation that extends well past the scope of the New Deal, surpasses former President Bill Clinton’s incremental budget surpluses, and even eclipses Theodore Roosevelt’s initiatives against monopolies," radio host Chris Stigall stated at the beginning of the conference on Friday.
DOGE represents a technologically driven lifeline for a nation teetering on the edge of economic ruin," stated Stigall. "If DOGE manages to succeed, it could mark one of the most significant financial accomplishments since Alexander Hamilton’s foundational idea, and I truly think it has that much importance.
Ned Ryun, a conservative activist and the founder of the candidate development group American Majority, stated that he had no interest in Washington becoming "efficient."
I desire it broken into a billion fragments. That's the sole method we have to emerge victorious," he stated. "Given that waste, fraud, and abuse represent the corrupt outcome of a corrupted system, and this flawed system is essentially an overbearing bureaucracy.
Ryun expressed his hope for DOGE, which has already eliminated 216,000 positions from federal employees continues to reduce the staff.
"Take them out of the federal system permanently so they can’t return. This is only the beginning. Next, eliminate the Department of Education, demolish the structure, and construct a memorial plaza dedicated to our heroes atop the site," he stated.
These favorable sentiments towards DOGE and Musk extended to the audience, with multiple participants stating their backing of Musk’s efforts up until now.
"[Musk] has been a delightful unexpected pleasure," stated Judy Zabel, a resident of Pennsylvania since 2020, residing just outside Scranton.
The conference, ongoing until Saturday, also highlighted several unexpected victors from the GOP, such as State Senator Joe Picozzi, who is the first Republican to win this seat. representing portions of Philadelphia in the state Senate for two decades who participated in a discussion on engaging younger voters.
Picozzi stated, "You must take it directly to the community. You need to present a positive vision of what the future holds specifically within your neighborhood, precisely on your street."
U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, Who removed long-serving Democratic Representative Matt Cartwright? In Northeast Pennsylvania, characterized Washington Republicans as being "united."
I would say that, generally speaking, Republicans are united," he stated. "They are completely aligned with one another. It’s clear that we share a common objective and a task that needs our collective effort.
Waving off tariffs
Many participants at the Friday conference mostly dismissed the tariffs unsettling the market, as companies prepare for uncertainty ahead.
"I'm tuned into what President Trump has to say, and I see no cause for doubt that he would be honest with us," stated Joe Phillips from Berks County, adding that the tariffs imposed by Trump are a reaction to how other nations handle goods coming in from America.
Philadelphia companies gear up for a new chapter in international commerce: 'Everything is uncertain'He said, 'Do you want to impose tariffs on us? Well, we’ll hit you with tariffs too,' " Phillips commented. "What’s incorrect about that? I fully support it.
The speakers generally steered clear of the subject, but whenever they addressed it, they echoed Trump's viewpoint that a phase of adaptation would result in substantial long-term benefits.
I understand there are reasonable discussions around tariffs," stated Stigall, the conservative radio show host. "However, when we adjust for trade imbalances, this will lead to some market fluctuations and may cause temporary difficulties. Nonetheless, the reality is that our nation requires additional job opportunities as AI is rapidly advancing towards us.
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