Kerry Picket
Articles by Kerry Picket
Is CPAC still politically relevant in the conservative movement?
Something was noticeably different at this year's Conservative Political Action Conference. Published March 30, 2026
White House says Trump still believes CPAC is relevant despite skipping conference
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that President Trump does not think the Conservative Political Action Conference has become irrelevant. Published March 30, 2026
U.S. munitions running low after extensive military airstrikes on Iran, think tank warns
The American Enterprise Institute warns that the U.S. weapons stocks are being depleted as American forces engage in military action against Iran. Published March 30, 2026
Vice President J.D. Vance wins CPAC straw poll for 2028 nomination
Vice President J.D. Vance is favored to win the GOP nomination for president in 2028, according to a new straw poll taken by attendees at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Saturday. Published March 29, 2026
CPAC straw poll smashes media narrative of divided conservative movement
The annual straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference shattered the mainstream media's narrative about sharp divisions among the activists at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center over President Trump and the Iran war. Published March 28, 2026
At CPAC, ex-South Korean prime minister urges White House to support release of former president
Former South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn received a standing ovation from activists at the Conservative Political Action Conference after he called on the Trump administration and Congress to push for the release of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. Published March 27, 2026
Iranian activists urge American conservatives to support exiled crown prince as Iran’s next leader
A contingent of pro-freedom Iranian activists filled seats at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Texas to support the U.S. military's Operation Epic Fury against the Iranian regime. Published March 27, 2026
CPAC speakers zero in on America’s enemies and call for action
The Conservative Political Action Conference kicked off its first full day Thursday, focusing on its theme "action over words" with panelists and speakers who delivered remarks about America's enemies. Published March 26, 2026
Trump urges Congress to pass clean extension of FISA, cites military action in Iran
President Trump on Wednesday called on Congress to pass an 18-month extension of a federal surveillance law without changes, saying the military needs it more than ever due to the war with Iran. Published March 25, 2026
CPAC chief confirms Cornyn invited to speak at conservative event
American Conservative Union Chairman Matt Schlapp confirmed that Sen. John Cornyn of Texas has been invited to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Published March 24, 2026
CPAC’s break with Washington tracks shifts in the conservative movement
The Conservative Political Action Conference has moseyed into the land of 10-gallon hats, cowboy boots and bolo ties. In this way, CPAC's annual gathering this week has been moving farther from its original home in the nation's capital as the movement has moved farther from the Washington political establishment. Published March 23, 2026
ATF scrutinized for enforcing pistol brace rule years after court killed the regulation
Second Amendment advocates are questioning why the Justice Department is still treating any pistol with a stabilizing brace as a short-barreled rifle that requires registration for a tax stamp, despite a 2023 court ruling that struck down the rule. Published March 23, 2026
Law group lauds proposed visa ban for people involved in religious persecution
The American Center for Law and Justice wrote in a recent letter to Sen. Ted Budd that it strongly supports his legislation to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit visas for people involved in religious persecution. Published March 23, 2026
Speaker Mike Johnson under the gun to pass renewal of the government’s FISA spy powers
House Republican leaders are trying to corral enough votes to pass a clean 18-month reauthorization of a key provision of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act before it expires at midnight on April 19. Published March 20, 2026
From hero to zero: U.S. grapples with how to cancel Cesar Chavez
American communities spent the past few decades memorializing Cesar Chavez in their roads, schools, a National Park Service site and even a U.S. Navy ship. Now the rush is on to erase them. Published March 19, 2026
Democrats say they are not to blame for the pain Americans increasingly feel from DHS shutdown
Congressional Democrats' more than 30-day shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security has created chaos at airports and undermined anti-terrorism efforts, but they say it isn't their fault and they are willing to keep the shutdown going indefinitely. Published March 18, 2026
Thune ready to move SAVE Act forward in Senate
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is expected Tuesday to take steps to move forward for the long haul to attempt to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act. Published March 16, 2026
Ten gun control bills waiting for Spanberger’s signature
Ten gun control bills are currently on the desk of Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, waiting for her approval. Published March 16, 2026
NRA launches ‘BE READY’ campaign amid threat of Iran terror cells
The National Rifle Association launched a new advertising campaign called "BE READY," which urges law-abiding Americans to safely and responsibly exercise their Second Amendment rights in the face of escalating dangers. Published March 16, 2026
Republican wins Northern Virginia county supervisor election for first time in 38 years
A Virginia Republican has won an election for a Prince William County Board of Supervisors seat for the first time in 38 years. Published March 12, 2026
