WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump told a gathering of right-wing activists on Friday evening that he fully supports parental rights, just a few blocks away from the White House, where he aims to return.

The Republican presidential candidate came to the nation’s capital ready to dive into the culture wars at the Moms for Liberty “Joyful Warriors” Summit.

During his “fireside chat” with Moms for Liberty Co-Founder Tiffany Justice, Trump aligned himself closely with the group’s messaging, criticizing schools that support transgender youth and states that uphold protections for gender-affirming care, asserting that school boards have turned into “dictatorships.”

“Parents genuinely care about their children,” he remarked. “Some individuals on these boards seem not to care for the kids … it’s essential to return rights to the parents.”

Trump’s appearance coincides with the group’s shift towards promoting a national conservative agenda after encountering stagnation in its original aim of electing local school board candidates.

Moms for Liberty has announced plans to invest over $3 million in significant battleground states before the presidential election. While they continue to support local candidates, it was clear from the summit that securing a Trump victory is their main objective.

While on stage, Trump commended the “incredible” efforts of Moms for Liberty and expressed gratitude to Justice for her personal endorsement.

Understanding Moms for Liberty

The sessions at the Moms for Liberty summit covered topics like “The History of Marxism” and “Helping Teachers Leave the Union.” This group, labeled a “parental rights organization” upon its founding in 2021, is recognized for its super PAC, its efforts to ban certain books in schools, and its resistance to discussions around LGBTQ+ identity and systemic racism in educational settings.

Since its inception, Moms for Liberty has dealt with controversies, including removing chapter leaders who posed with members of The Proud Boys, a far-right group whose leader is currently serving a 22-year sentence related to the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.

In 2023, the Southern Poverty Law Center designated Moms for Liberty as “extremist” and “anti-government.” Additionally, the group maintains a connection with the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, which had a booth at the summit.

Moms for Liberty also plays a role on the advisory board of The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a plan that proposes significant changes to the federal government, from which Trump has tried to distance himself.

The organization claims to have 300 chapters and 130,000 members nationwide, with around 600 attendees at the summit.

Attendee Sarah Thomas, a mother of seven from York County, Pennsylvania, described the summit as an “awakening.” Concerned about rising grocery prices, frustrated by school vaccination requirements, and subscribing to Trump’s unfounded claims about the 2020 election being stolen, she was glad to connect with others who share her views after a friend invited her.

Numerous investigations have confirmed the integrity of the 2020 presidential election results.

“It’s fascinating how even individuals from other states face similar challenges as we do,” Thomas said. “If the other party comes to power, I find it hard to believe it would be legitimate.”

What role does Moms for Liberty play in the 2024 election?

Liz Mikitarian, a former kindergarten teacher from Florida and creator of the counter organization “STOP Moms for Liberty,” suggested that the Trump campaign likely views the group as a strategic asset to attract support from suburban women, a crucial voting demographic.

“We all witnessed our President being shot recently, and he was right to stand up and say, ‘fight, fight, fight,’” Justice encouraged the audience. “Moms: Let me be clear, it is time to combat fiercely.”

Nonetheless, Trump’s participation might alienate moderate voters because of the group’s radical image. Activists at the conference expressed a feeling of “cautious optimism” regarding his success in November.

Shawn Frost, a Republican campaign strategist and former school board member alongside Justice, mentioned he advised the group at its inception to shift focus away from divisive cultural issues to attract a broader audience. However, he noted that the organization ultimately “parted ways with him.”

Frost indicated that while Trump’s presence at the summit could energize his supporters, “traditional” suburban Republicans and independent voters are unlikely to be there.

“By attending their modest conference, President Trump is doing them a significant favor by lending his weight and relevance,” said Frost.

As the November 5 election approaches, candidates from both major political parties are intensifying their campaign efforts in critical battleground states, such as Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. A recent poll from YSL News/Suffolk University shows Harris leading Trump 48% to 43% post-Democratic National Convention.

Rachel Barber is a 2024 election fellow at YSL News, with a focus on politics and educational issues. You can follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @rachelbarber_