NEWS AND OPINION:
Former President Donald Trump’s campaign has revealed that a new coalition of voters has stepped up to boost his quest for the White House. Latino Americans for Trump has arrived — described by Mr. Trump’s campaign as “a coalition with notable members of Latino communities from across the country, leaders in all fields, including industry, trade, education, sports, faith, communications, and elected officials.”
This particular demographic is a powerful one.
“Latinos have grown at the second-fastest rate of any major racial and ethnic group in the U.S. electorate since the last presidential election. An estimated 36.2 million are eligible to vote this year, up from 32.3 million in 2020. This represents 50% of the total growth in eligible voters during this time,” the Pew Research Center noted in an extensive report released in January.
The Trump campaign appears confident that Latinos could be interested.
“Under President Trump, the Latino American community saw a record low unemployment rate. Under [President] Biden, Latino Americans have been left behind, burdened with higher prices, soaring interest rates, and lower wages. Inflation and the failure of Bidenomics will be a major issue facing Latinos in 2024, as well as high crime rates and the affordability of housing – issues where Biden has failed miserably,” Mr. Trump’s campaign said in a statement Sunday.
“Latinos favor immigration policies that allow the orderly and legal entry and formalization of immigrants to the United States, and, consequently, they disapprove of how millions have been allowed to cross the border illegally. Latino voters ’overwhelmingly’ trust President Trump over Biden on his approach to address border security and immigration,” the statement said.
“Latino Americans for Trump stands unified in its support of President Trump and our members will be working tirelessly to spread his winning messages of a strong economy, lower prices, a secure border, and peace through strength at home and abroad,” it also noted.
ON THE RADAR
The National Right to Life’s 52nd annual convention is scheduled to begin June 23 just outside the nation’s capital — billed as “The Essential Pro-Life Educational Event” for participants.
“During this two-day educational and training event, national experts on life issues gather in one place to equip pro-lifers from across the country with the knowledge and skills needed to advance our cause,” says an advance notice for the event, scheduled for the Crystal City neighborhood of Arlington.
“There will be several general sessions and smaller break-out sessions. All will feature pro-life leaders who advocate for unborn children and their mothers, persons with disabilities, older people, and vulnerable people who cannot defend themselves,” the notice said.
The keynote speaker for the organization’s convivial gala is former White House secretary Kayleigh McEnany, a co-host of “Outnumbered” on Fox News. The Rev. Paul D. Scalia, pastor of St. James Catholic Church in Falls Church, will be the speaker for the organization’s annual prayer breakfast. Rep. Kat Cammack, Florida Republican, is also on the speaker’s roster.
Find more information at nrlconvention.com.
THE REAGAN FACTOR
Here’s more on the Trump campaign: Sen. Tom Cotton — a potential vice presidential pick for presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump — is in harmony with Mr. Trump on an influential issue.
“I think President Trump and I have long been aligned on foreign policy. We both subscribe to what you might say was Ronald Reagan’s vision, which is peace through strength. For four years with President Trump in the White House, we had peace and stability around the globe. We didn’t have wars breaking out in Europe and the Middle East and being threatened in Asia,” the Arkansas Republican told “Fox News Sunday” anchor Shannon Bream.
“We believe that you sometimes have to use military force in discriminate fashion the way President Trump did when he authorized a strike against Iran’s terrorist mastermind Qassim Soleimani. We believe that we need to pressure allies to take more responsibility for funding our common defense or taking responsibility for what’s happening in their own region, in part because America needs to take the lead against China in the Western Pacific to preserve peace and stability there,” Mr. Cotton said.
“I believe President Trump and I are aligned on foreign policy, just like Ronald Reagan was. This policy is a peace through strength strategy — which is where the vast majority of not just Republicans, but normal Americans think. Only these pro-Hamas, anti-American lunatics in the Democratic Party think that America is to blame for what’s happening in the world or that we should retreat from strength and confidence in the world,” he advised.
MEANWHILE IN ALASKA
Alaska’s capital is set to become the first city in the state to limit the number of daily cruise ship tourists.
“Under the terms of a new voluntary agreement between the city of Juneau and effective in 2026, the nation’s four largest cruise lines will schedule ships containing no more than 16,000 standard beds in Juneau per day,” reports Arctic Today, a news organization based in Anchorage.
Locals are now complaining about overcrowding, housing shortages and air pollution.
“Juneau, a city of 32,000 residents, welcomes more than 1.6 million visitors annually, and on peak days, more than 21,000 tourists may visit by cruise ship,” the report said.
“By number of ships and number of visitors, Juneau is the most popular whale-watching destination in the world, the city claims. The Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area, located within city bounds and operated by the U.S. Forest Service, is the most-visited tourist attraction in Alaska,” Arctic Today also noted.
POLL DU JOUR
• 77% of U.S. adults say they have experienced “sticker shock” on the price of groceries.
• 54% have had sticker shock on the price of gas, 51% on the price of dining out.
• 41% have had sticker shock from the cost of utilities, 30% on the price of clothes.
• 29% have had sticker shock on the price of travel, 22% on the price of electronics.
• 17% have had sticker shock on the price of magazines or other media subscriptions.
• 5% have had sticker shock on some “other” expense.
• 5% have not had sticker shock.
Source: A CNET/YouGov online survey of 2,392 U.S. adults conducted May 6-8 and released June 7.
• Follow Jennifer Harper on X @HarperBulletin, on Facebook @HarperUniverse.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.