Archived Event

The 2025 Summit: American Principles & Priorities

  February 21-23, 2025

We gathered in Washington, DC for a three-day grassroots summit on conserving America's liberal tradition & the path to a principled future for our country.

About The Summit

Principles First held its fifth annual grassroots Summit in Washington, D.C. from Friday, February 21 through Sunday, February 23, showcasing the nation’s leading voices in defense of classical liberalism and principled, common-sense solutions to America’s problems.

We brought together principled public officials, thought leaders, and grassroots activists for three days of discussion, strategy, and fellowship. We addressed how we can preserve America’s classical liberal tradition in times of crisis, the urgent need for competent, solutions-driven leadership today, and the future of our movement.

For questions, contact [email protected].

Videos

Thumbnail for video
Principles First: Our Obligation

Too many people forget how special America is. We all have an obligation to work to keep her strong. Help us meet that obligation by putting principles first.

Photo Gallery

Speakers

Photo of Mark Cuban

Mark Cuban

Entrepreneur
Photo of Jared Polis

Jared Polis

Governor of Colorado
Photo of Chris Christie

Chris Christie

55th Governor of New Jersey
Photo of George Conway

George Conway

Society for the Rule of Law
Photo of Adam Kinzinger

Adam Kinzinger

Former Member of Congress
Photo of Asa Hutchinson

Asa Hutchinson

46th Governor of Arkansas
Photo of Garry Kasparov

Garry Kasparov

World Liberty Congress
Photo of Michael Steele

Michael Steele

Former Lt. Gov. of Maryland
Photo of Alberto Gonzales

Alberto Gonzales

80th Attorney General of the United States
Photo of Barbara Comstock

Barbara Comstock

Former Member of Congress
Photo of Geoff Duncan

Geoff Duncan

Former Lt. Gov. of Georgia
Photo of Sarah Longwell

Sarah Longwell

Republican Accountability Project
Photo of Tim Miller

Tim Miller

The Bulwark
Photo of Bill Kristol

Bill Kristol

Defending Democracy Together
Photo of Frank Figliuzzi

Frank Figliuzzi

Former FBI Assistant Director
Photo of Glenn Kirschner

Glenn Kirschner

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney
Photo of Joe Walsh

Joe Walsh

Former Member of Congress
Photo of Tom Nichols

Tom Nichols

The Atlantic
Photo of Steve Hayes

Steve Hayes

The Dispatch
Photo of Jonah Goldberg

Jonah Goldberg

The Dispatch
Photo of David French

David French

The New York Times
Photo of Russell Moore

Russell Moore

The After Party
Photo of Michael Fanone

Michael Fanone

Former Capitol Police Officer
Photo of Harry Dunn

Harry Dunn

Former Capitol Police Officer
Photo of Aquilino Gonell

Aquilino Gonell

Former Capitol Police Officer
Photo of Daniel Hodges

Daniel Hodges

Metropolitan Police Department
Photo of Mona Charen

Mona Charen

The Bulwark
Photo of Stephen Richer

Stephen Richer

Former Maricopa County Recorder
Photo of Simon Rosenberg

Simon Rosenberg

Author, "Hopium Chronicles"
Photo of Chris Cillizza

Chris Cillizza

Author, "So What"
Photo of Norm Eisen

Norm Eisen

State Democracy Defenders Fund
Photo of Michael Warren

Michael Warren

The Dispatch
Photo of Gregg Nunziata

Gregg Nunziata

Society for the Rule of Law
Photo of Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman

National Review
Photo of Michael Wood

Michael Wood

Marine and Businessman
Photo of Amit Agarwal

Amit Agarwal

Former Florida Solicitor General
Photo of Julie Spilsbury

Julie Spilsbury

Mesa City Council Member
Photo of Asha Rangappa

Asha Rangappa

Yale University
Photo of Veronique de Rugy

Veronique de Rugy

George Mason University
Photo of Julia Spiegel

Julia Spiegel

Governors Action Alliance
Photo of Robert Buschman

Robert Buschman

Georgia State University
Photo of Bryan Riley

Bryan Riley

National Taxpayers Union
Photo of Nick Troiano

Nick Troiano

Unite America
Photo of Rich Logis

Rich Logis

Leaving MAGA
Photo of Billy Binion

Billy Binion

Reason Magazine
Photo of Kyle Sweetser

Kyle Sweetser

Republican Voters Against Trump
Photo of Heath Mayo

Heath Mayo

Principles First

Agenda

List of speakers, agenda, and additional logistical information.
  • Day 1: Friday
    February 21st
  • Day 2: Saturday
    February 22nd
  • Day 3: Sunday
    February 23rd

Friday, February 21st

6pm to 9pm
Welcome Reception

Brief remarks from:

  • Lisa Savage, Principles First Host Committee Co-Chair
  • Kyle Sweetser, Republican Voters Against Trump
  • Heath Mayo, President and Founder of Principles First
  • Julie Spilsbury, Mesa City Council Member
  • Rich Logis, Executive Director of Leaving MAGA

Saturday, February 22nd

7:00am
Check-in Opens
9:00am
Opening Remarks

Presented by Heath Mayo, President and Founder of Principles First

9:10am
What the Voters Said: Assessing 2024

Featuring Chris Cillizza, “So What” Newsletter; Simon Rosenberg, “Hopium Chronicles” Newsletter; and Billy Binion, Reason Magazine

9:55am
Keynote Conversation

Featuring Asa Hutchinson, former Arkansas governor, hosted by Noah Rothman of National Review

10:20am
The Politics of Principle: Building a Governing Majority

Featuring former Congressman Joe Walsh, Norm Eisen of State Democracy Defenders Fund, Nick Troiano of Unite America, and Julia Spiegel of Governors Action Alliance

11:05am
Keynote Conversation

Featuring businessman Mark Cuban, hosted by Principles First founder and president Heath Mayo

11:50am
Lunch
1:00pm
Keynote Conversation

Featuring former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Steve Hayes of The Dispatch

1:30pm
Keynote Conversation

Featuring former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, hosted by former Florida Solicitor General Amit Agarwal

2:00pm
The Thin Blue Line and the Big Lie

Featuring Daniel Hodges of the Metropolitan Police Department, and former Capitol Police Officers Aquilino Gonnell, Michael Fanone, and Harry Dunn

2:45pm
Superpower or Spectator? America’s Grand Strategy

Featuring Bill Kristol of Defending Democracy Together, Tom Nichols of The Atlantic, and Garry Kasparov of World Liberty Congress

3:30pm
The Next Level: A Live Podcast

Featuring The Bulwark’s Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller

4:20pm
Principles First Profile in Courage Award
4:30pm
Happy Hour

Sponsored by The Bulwark

Sunday, February 23rd

7:00am
Check-in Opens
9:00am
Checks, Balances, and Breaking Points: Can the Constitution Hold?

Featuring George Conway and Gregg Nunziata of the Society for the Rule of Law, and former Congresswoman Barbara Comstock

9:45am
Market Economics: Busting Protectionist Myths Since 1776

Featuring Bob Buschman of Georgia State University, Veronique de Rugy of George Mason University, and Bryan Riley of the National Taxpayers Union

10:30am
Keynote Conversation

Featuring Colorado Governor Jared Polis, hosted by Tim Miller of The Bulwark

11:00am
The Law Enforcement and National Security Battlefield

Featuring Asha Rangappa of Yale University, former FBI Assistant Director Frank Figliuzzi, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenn Kirschner

11:50am
Keynote Remarks

Delivered by former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele

12:00pm
Lunch
1:30pm
Keynote Conversation

Featuring former Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, hosted by Marine and businessman Michael Wood

1:50pm
Free Speech and the Fragile Republic

Featuring Mona Charen of The Bulwark, David French of The New York Times, and Russell Moore of The After Party

2:45pm
The Dispatch Live

Featuring Steve Hayes, Jonah Goldberg, and Michael Warren of The Dispatch

3:30pm
Keynote Conversation

Featuring former Congressman Adam Kinzinger, hosted by former Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer

4:20pm
Closing Remarks

Presented by Heath Mayo, President and Founder of Principles First

Participating Organizations

We are grateful to all organizations who share our commitment to preserving truth, democracy, and the rule of law. If you'd like to join us as an exhibitor during future Summits, please review our exhibitor information page. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of the Summit, learn more on our sponsor information page.
Unite America The Bulwark The Dispatch Protect Democracy United Afghan American Veterans Alliance American Values Coalition Grumpy Combat Veteran Veterans for All Voters ESC Marketing Solutions Country First Country 1st Academy Leaving MAGA Nate Gowdy Photography Rank the Vote Ranked Choice Voting Maryland UpVote Virginia The Concord Coalition Citizens' Climate Lobby Veterans for Responsible Leadership Welcome Democracy Institute Bright America Grand Bargain Stories Change Power

Hotel Information

If you need ADA accommodations, please contact [email protected].

The 2025 Principles First Summit is hosted by both Principles First for America Foundation, Inc. (501c3) and Principles First for America, Ltd (501c4). The amount of your ticket price that is tax-deductible as a charitable contribution for federal income tax purposes is limited to 60%, as this is the portion of the Summit related to 501(c)3 activities. See tax-deductible amounts by ticket tier below. The remaining 40% of your ticket sale is NOT tax-deductible.