Council for National Policy

Based on Wikipedia: Council for National Policy

In September 2020, a digital ghost emerged from the shadows of American politics, revealing a roster of names that reads like a who's who of the modern conservative movement. The list, leaked from the Council for National Policy (CNP), included not just political operators and media figures, but the architects of the very machinery that drives the Republican Party. Among them were Steve Bannon, the former architect of the Trump presidency; Kellyanne Conway, the veteran pollster and strategist; and Leonard Leo, the Federalist Society lawyer who would go on to reshape the Supreme Court. Yet, despite the prominence of these figures, the organization itself remains a phantom to the average voter. The New York Times has aptly described it as "a little-known club of a few hundred of the most powerful conservatives in the country," a group that meets three times a year behind closed doors at undisclosed locations, conducting business in a veil of secrecy that would make a spy novel blush.

This is not merely a social club for the wealthy or a think tank for academic debate. The CNP is the nervous system of the American right, a strategic command center where the boundaries between religious fundamentalism, corporate power, and political maneuvering are dissolved into a singular, focused agenda. Founded in 1981, at the dawn of the Reagan era, the organization was born from a specific frustration among conservative leaders. They felt their movement was scattered, reactive, and lacking the organizational heft to match the entrenched liberal establishment. The goal, as articulated by founder Tim LaHaye, a Southern Baptist pastor and author of the Left Behind series, was to "bring more focus and force to conservative advocacy." They wanted to build something that could stand as the conservative counterpart to the Council on Foreign Relations, an institution that had long dominated foreign policy discourse in the United States. As Marc Ambinder of ABC News noted, "The group wants to be the conservative version of the Council on Foreign Relations."

To understand the CNP, one must first understand the culture of its membership. It is a culture defined by an almost obsessive secrecy. Membership is by invitation only, and the list of who belongs is considered "strictly confidential." Members are instructed not to reveal their affiliation, not even to name the group in casual conversation. This is not paranoia; it is a calculated strategy. David D. Kirkpatrick, a political writer for The New York Times, suggested that this secrecy was intended from the very beginning to insulate the group from what its members perceived as the "liberal bias of the news media." By operating in the dark, they believed they could foster a free-flowing exchange of ideas without the distorting lens of public scrutiny or the pressure of immediate political fallout. Guests may attend their meetings only with the unanimous approval of the executive committee, ensuring that no outsider can infiltrate the inner sanctum.

The origins of the CNP are deeply rooted in the fusion of religious fervor and political activism that characterized the late 1970s and early 1980s. The year was 1981, and the Reagan administration was just getting its bearings. The founders included a coalition of the era's most influential conservative icons: Tim LaHaye, then the head of the Moral Majority; Nelson Bunker Hunt, a Texas oil billionaire; T. Cullen Davis, a wealthy oilman; William Cies; Howard Phillips, a constitutionalist activist; and Paul Weyrich, the mastermind behind the Heritage Foundation and the concept of the "religious right." These men, and the women who joined them soon after, were not content with simply voting or donating. They wanted to build an infrastructure that could sustain a movement for decades.

The early years of the CNP were marked by the convergence of disparate conservative factions. The group brought together social conservatives, libertarians, and traditional Republicans under one roof. Among the founding members were General John Singlaub, a decorated military officer; J. Peter Grace, a shipping magnate; Edwin Feulner of the Heritage Foundation; and Rev. Pat Robertson, the founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network. The roster also included Jerry Falwell, the fiery pastor of the Thomas Road Baptist Church; U.S. Senator Trent Lott; and retired Texas Court of Appeals Judge Paul Pressler, a key figure in the Southern Baptist Convention. This was a gathering of the titans, individuals who held the keys to the levers of power in Washington, the pulpit, and the boardroom.

The influence of the CNP has only grown since those early days, expanding its reach to include a new generation of conservative leaders and operatives. The membership has included former United States Attorneys General Edwin Meese and John Ashcroft; gun-rights activist Larry Pratt; and Colonel Oliver North, the central figure of the Iran-Contra affair. In more recent years, the list has swelled to include Steve Bannon, who would later serve as the chief strategist for Donald Trump; Kellyanne Conway, the first female campaign manager for a presidential candidate; and philanthropist Elsa Prince, the mother of Blackwater founder Erik Prince and former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. The network also includes Leonard Leo, a key player in the appointment of conservative judges; and Virginia Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. The organization's executive director from 2000 to 2008 was former California State Assemblyman Steve Baldwin, and conservative attorney Cleta Mitchell currently sits on the board of governors.

The secrecy of the CNP is not just about protecting its members; it is about protecting its strategy. The group meets three times per year, a schedule that mirrors the long-held policy of the Council on Foreign Relations. These meetings are closed to the general public, a policy designed to allow for candid, unfiltered discussions about the future of the conservative movement. Max Blumenthal has described the CNP as a "secretive organization that networks wealthy right-wing donors together with top conservative operatives to plan long-term movement strategy." This is not a place for grandstanding or photo opportunities. It is a war room where the battles for the soul of the Republican Party are fought and won before the candidates even step onto the national stage.

The power of the CNP was on display in May 2016, when the Southern Poverty Law Center released a leaked copy of the organization's 2014 membership directory. The leak revealed a list of names that included Jerome Corsi, Michael Farris, Brigitte Gabriel, Frank Gaffney, Charlie Kirk, Tony Perkins, and Mathew Staver. These are not obscure figures; they are the leaders of the organizations that shape the narrative of the American right. The leak also highlighted the depth of the CNP's connections to other powerful groups. The CNP has membership links to the Committee for the Free World, an organization that included members of the Unification Church, Republican Party leaders, and counter-revolutionaries in Latin America during the 1980s. Midge Decter served as the Executive Director of the Committee for the Free World, and its roster included Jeane Kirkpatrick, Leszek Kołakowski, Irving Kristol, Melvin J. Lasky, Seymour M. Lipset, Donald Rumsfeld, Tom Stoppard, and George Will. Eugene V. Rostow, then serving as Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency under President Ronald Reagan, was a speaker at a Committee for the Free World event on Poland, illustrating the deep international reach of the conservative network.

The CNP's influence extends beyond the borders of the United States, serving as a beacon for conservative movements around the world. In June 1997, Stephen Harper, then the president of the National Citizens' Coalition and later the Prime Minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015, delivered a speech at a CNP meeting in Montreal, Quebec. In his address, Harper praised the American conservative movement, calling it "a light and an inspiration to people [of Canada] and across the world." This international dimension underscores the CNP's ambition to be more than just a domestic political organization; it is a global network of conservative thought and action.

The CNP has also played a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of American elections. In 1999, a speech given to the CNP by Republican candidate George W. Bush is credited with helping him secure the support of the conservative base in his successful bid for the presidency in 2000. The content of that speech has never been released by the CNP or by Bush, adding to the mystique of the organization. In February 2007, the organization planned to be deeply involved in the 2008 presidential election campaign, actively seeking a candidate who would represent their views. U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney spoke at a four-day conference held in Salt Lake City, Utah, during the last week of September 2007. The Council for National Policy scheduled a conference in late October 2007, and with the exception of Rudy Giuliani, most Republican presidential candidates pledged to appear.

The CNP's willingness to take drastic action when its values are threatened was demonstrated in a meeting at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on September 29, 2007. Leading members of the CNP voted to consider launching a third-party candidate if the 2008 Republican nominee were pro-choice. The candidacy of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who held liberal opinions on social issues such as abortion, gay rights, and gun ownership, had disturbed the Christian right. The CNP's statement was unequivocal: "If the Republican Party nominates a pro-abortion candidate, we will consider running a third-party candidate." Attending the meeting were notable social conservatives, including James Dobson, Richard Viguerie, Tony Perkins, and Morton Blackwell. This incident highlighted the CNP's role as the gatekeeper of the conservative movement, willing to fracture the party rather than compromise on core principles.

The organization's legal status has also been a point of contention. In 1992, the IRS revoked the CNP's 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status on the grounds that it was not an organization run for the public benefit. The group successfully challenged this ruling in federal court, a victory that underscored its ability to navigate the legal system to protect its interests. Despite the revocation and the subsequent legal battle, the CNP continued to operate with the same level of influence and secrecy.

In August 2020, the CNP hosted a meeting in Arlington, Virginia, where U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a speech. The event was a testament to the organization's enduring power and its central role in the Trump presidency. In an October 14, 2020, Washington Post article, which described the CNP as a "little-known group that has served for decades as a hub for a nationwide network of conservative activists and the donors who support them," one of the attendees of the August 2020 meeting warned of plans by Democrats to "steal this election." He said, "if they get away with that, what happens? Democracy is finished because they usher in totalitarianism." This rhetoric, delivered in the hallowed halls of the CNP, would soon echo across the nation, culminating in the events of January 6, 2021.

The CNP's founding members were a diverse group of individuals who shared a common vision of a conservative America. Tim LaHaye, the driving force behind the organization, was a Southern Baptist pastor and the author of The Battle for the Mind (1980) and the Left Behind series of books. Other early participants included W. Cleon Skousen, a theologian within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and founder of the Freemen Institute; Paul Weyrich; Phyllis Schlafly; Robert Grant; Howard Phillips; Richard Viguerie, the direct-mail specialist who revolutionized political fundraising; and Morton Blackwell, a Louisiana and Virginia activist who is considered a specialist on the rules of the Republican Party. The council's first executive director was Woody Jenkins, and later, Morton Blackwell and Bob Reccord served in this role. Organization presidents have included Nelson Bunker Hunt of Dallas, Amway co-founder Richard DeVos of Michigan, Pat Robertson of Virginia Beach, retired Judge Paul Pressler of Houston, and former Reagan Cabinet secretaries.

The CNP is more than just a list of powerful people; it is a movement that has shaped the course of American history. From the early days of the Reagan administration to the presidency of Donald Trump, the CNP has been the silent architect of the conservative revolution. Its members have included corporate executives, legislators, former high-ranking government officers, leaders of think tanks dedicated to molding society, and those whom many view as "Christian leadership." While those involved in the organization are almost entirely from the United States, their organizations and influence cover the globe, both religiously and politically.

The story of the CNP is a story of power, secrecy, and strategy. It is a story of how a small group of individuals, united by a shared vision, can change the course of a nation. The CNP's meetings are closed to the general public, but their impact is felt in every corner of American life. From the Supreme Court to the state legislatures, from the pulpit to the boardroom, the CNP's influence is undeniable. As the political landscape continues to shift, the CNP remains a constant force, a shadowy but powerful presence that continues to shape the future of the American right.

The CNP's ability to maintain its secrecy while wielding such immense power is a testament to its organizational discipline. The group's members are instructed not to refer to the organization by name, a policy that has helped to protect it from leaks and public scrutiny. This secrecy has allowed the CNP to operate with a level of freedom that is rare in the modern political landscape. It is a place where ideas can be tested, strategies can be refined, and alliances can be forged without the fear of immediate backlash.

In the end, the CNP is a reflection of the broader conservative movement in America. It is a movement that is deeply rooted in religious faith, committed to limited government, and dedicated to the preservation of traditional values. The CNP is the engine that drives this movement, providing the resources, the strategy, and the leadership needed to achieve its goals. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the CNP will undoubtedly remain a key player in the American political arena, shaping the future of the nation in ways that are both profound and far-reaching.

The CNP's legacy is one of influence and impact. From the early days of the Reagan administration to the present day, the organization has been a force to be reckoned with. Its members have included some of the most powerful and influential figures in American history, and its strategies have shaped the course of the nation. The CNP is a testament to the power of organization, the importance of strategy, and the enduring strength of the conservative movement in America.

As we look to the future, the CNP will undoubtedly continue to play a vital role in American politics. Its ability to adapt to changing circumstances, its commitment to its core values, and its unwavering dedication to its mission will ensure that it remains a powerful force for generations to come. The CNP is not just a political organization; it is a movement that is dedicated to the preservation of the American way of life. And as long as that movement exists, the CNP will be at its heart, guiding the way forward with clarity, purpose, and power.