Republican lawmakers are concluding a three-day retreat hosted at President Donald Trump’s National Doral golf course and hotel in Miami, Florida.
The retreat was held for Republican members of the US House of Representatives and covered issues ranging from budgets, to campaigning, to homeland security, to education, and more.
President Trump addressed the retreat during the first day, and thanked House GOP leaders for their “outstanding leadership.”
“With the help of everyone in this room, we've just won the most epic consequential political victory in American history according to a lot,” said Trump. “And for the first time ever, all 50 states, did you know this, shifted toward the Republican party.”
Lawmakers thanked Trump for his presence and reaffirmed their commitment to executing his policy priorities.
Florida Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (R), speaking at the retreat alongside Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), professed their intent on “keeping promises and delivering results.”
Representative Balart’s presence garnered increased attention given the retreat was held in his Congressional district.
Balart channeled the attention placed on him to criticize the Cuban government as the 172nd anniversary of Cuban independence leader Jose Marti’s birthday took place on the second retreat day.
“Martí’s unwavering commitment to liberty, human rights, sovereignty, and national pride embodies both resistance to oppression and the enduring hope for a free Cuba–values that continue to be suppressed by the Castro regime,” said Balart.
South Florida lawmakers, including Balart and Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R) and Carlos Gimenez (R), have vehemently criticized Cuba’s totalitarian government and lobbied for a sanction-driven US foreign policy approach.
Their influence has guided some of Trump’s strategy towards Cuba, evidenced by his reinstating sanctions lifted by President Joe Biden and re-designating Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Over 1.2 million Cubans live in Miami-Dade County alone. President Trump also won Miami-Dade County by 11 points over Vice President Kamala Harris, the first win for a Republican presidential candidate since George H.W. Bush in 1988.
