President Trump told a friendly crowd Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference he's grateful for their help in a very successful first year in office, blasted Democrats for refusing to cooperate with just about anything, and read a parable that carries a warning about an irresponsible immigration policy for the nation.
He cited a record number of circuit court judges already confirmed, Neil Gorsuch's appointment to the Supreme Court, "biggest in history" tax cuts and reform, a renewal of American energy work, improvements in America's trade situation with many global partners, his removal of America from the costly Paris Climate Accord, the cutback on federal regulations and more.
He pointed out that on virtually all of the major accomplishments, "We didn't have one Democrat vote."
And that, he said, is reason for Republicans to get busy and work hard on the 2018 midterm elections.
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"So people are sitting there, and they're saying, 'Oh, we just had that great victory. Eh, let's not vote. Let's go to a movie. We're the Republican Party, we're going to do great.' And then they end up losing. So you got to keep up the enthusiasm," he said.
"See, the word, really, is 'complacent.' People get complacent. It's a natural instinct. You just won, and now you're happy and you're complacent. Don't be complacent. Okay? Don't be complacent. Because if they get in, they will repeal your tax cuts, they will put judges in that you wouldn't believe, they'll take away your Second Amendment, which we will never allow to happen," he said.
He pointed out his detractors – a nearly lockstep Democratic Party along with the left-wing media – accused him of collusion with the Russians, but now evidence shows it was Hillary Clinton who funded a company that hired a former spy to work with Russian colleagues to come up with a dossier of unverified political dirt.
"I will say this, folks: Everything that's turning out, now it's amazing that's come full circle. Boy, have they committed a lot of atrocities when you look. Right? When you look. Have they done things that are wrong."
He said America now is doing "record business."
"Companies are pouring back into this country. They're pouring back. Not like – I mean, when did you hear about car companies coming back into Michigan and coming to Ohio and expanding? When did you hear – you never heard that. You hear they're leaving. I've been talking about it for 20 years," he said.
"But when you look at what's happening to our country, it's incredible. And the fundamentals are so strong. The stock market – I just see with all of the ups and downs – since Election Day, is up 37 percent from Election – 37 percent."
He also noted his recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
"You know, every president campaigned on, 'We're going to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.' Everybody – for many presidents – you've been reading it. And then they never pulled it off. And I now know why."
He said gun violence in schools has to be defeated, and the answer possibly is arming teachers, so that they no longer are unarmed victim zones.
"And we're getting the wall," he said of his campaign promise.
To illustrate, he read a piece called "The Snake" about a woman who rescues a snake from the cold, only to be fatally bitten.
When she asks why, the snake grins. "'Oh, shut up, silly woman,'" Trump read. "'You knew damn well I was a snake before you took me in.'"
Trump said: "And that's what we're doing with our country, folks. We're letting people in, and it's going to be a lot of trouble. It's only getting worse. But we're giving you protection like never before. Our law enforcement is doing a better job than we've ever done before. And we love our country. And we're going to take care of our country. Okay? We're going to take care of our country.
"The Democrats are being totally unresponsive. They don't want to do anything about DACA, I'm telling you. And it's very possible that DACA won't happen, and it's not because of the Republicans, it's going to be because of the Democrats. And frankly, you better elect more Republicans, folks, or it will never happen."
He urged the mostly GOP audience to fight Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
He also recognized evangelist Billy Graham, who died Wednesday at 99.
"We will never forget the historic crowds, that voice, the energy, and the profound faith of a preacher named Billy Graham. Great man and great family. Franklin Graham. Great family. And they were for us -- I'll tell you, they were for us. Right from the beginning they were for us.
"As a young man, Billy decided to devote his life to God. That choice not only changed his life, it changed our country. And indeed, it even changed the world.
"Rev. Graham's belief in the power of God's word gave hope to millions and millions who listened to him with his very beautiful, but very simple message: God loves you," he said.