Buchanan Medal Gambit SHATTERS GOP Unity

The push to honor Pat Buchanan with the Presidential Medal of Freedom signals a high-stakes battle over the soul of conservatism and the future of “America First” values in the Trump era.

Story Snapshot

Rep. Riley Moore has formally requested President Trump award Pat Buchanan the Presidential Medal of Freedom, citing his foundational role in modern conservatism.
Buchanan’s early “America First” agenda, once considered fringe, now shapes GOP priorities and Trump-era policies.
The campaign has ignited sharp debate in conservative media over Buchanan’s legacy and the direction of the Republican Party.
Recognition could further legitimize Buchanan’s ideas, deepening the party’s commitment to nationalism, traditionalism, and border security.

Campaign for Buchanan: A Defining Test for Conservative Values

Rep. Riley Moore’s formal request that President Trump bestow the nation’s highest civilian honor on Pat Buchanan has thrust the conservative movement’s ideological trajectory into the national spotlight. Moore argues that Buchanan, now 86 and retired, “paved the way” for the modern “America First” movement by warning for decades about porous borders, unchecked globalism, and the erosion of traditional values. The campaign is not just about recognizing a single individual but about affirming the core principles that drive Trump’s base: sovereignty, strong borders, and the defense of family and faith amid relentless cultural and political attacks.

“Honoring Patrick J. Buchanan with the Presidential Medal of Freedom would recognize his role as one of the truest patriots of the past century.”

Read more about my letter urging @POTUS to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom in @amconmag https://t.co/SaklCgDYpJ

— Rep. Riley M. Moore (@RepRileyMoore) August 22, 2025

Buchanan’s influence reaches back to his roles as a senior advisor and speechwriter for Presidents Nixon, Ford, and Reagan, and as a three-time presidential candidate. His fierce opposition to globalism, open borders, and foreign entanglements—once derided by the political establishment—has become mainstream within today’s GOP. Buchanan’s founding of The American Conservative in 2002 provided a platform for these views, which resonate strongly with conservatives frustrated by years of “woke” policies, unchecked government spending, and the undermining of national identity. Moore’s letter to Trump frames Buchanan as the intellectual godfather of policies now central to the Republican agenda.

Debate Over Legacy: Unifier or Divider?

The proposal to honor Buchanan has sparked an energetic debate across conservative media and political circles. Supporters, including editors at The American Conservative and First Things, argue that Buchanan’s prescient warnings about deindustrialization and cultural decline have proved prophetic. They see recognition as overdue validation for a man who championed the interests of “forgotten Americans” long before it was politically fashionable. Critics, even within the right, counter that Buchanan’s stances on immigration and foreign policy remain deeply controversial and risk alienating moderate voters or further polarizing the nation. This division mirrors the broader battle over what it means to be conservative in 2025.

Moore and allied commentators insist that honoring Buchanan would send a powerful message: that the GOP remains committed to defending American sovereignty, the Constitution, and the values of ordinary citizens. They argue that Buchanan’s unapologetic stand against illegal immigration and globalist elites provided an intellectual backbone for Trump’s current policies, which include aggressive border enforcement, the dismantling of leftist government overreach, and renewed emphasis on American manufacturing. Whether Trump heeds the call will signal how firmly the party stands with its base versus bowing to establishment critics.

Political and Cultural Impact: Shaping the Republican Future

If Trump awards Buchanan the Presidential Medal of Freedom, it would mark more than personal recognition—it would be a defining victory for those seeking to cement “America First” as the party’s permanent philosophy. Such a move could further mainstream nationalist, anti-globalist, and traditionalist ideas, influencing both policy and public discourse for years to come. Supporters believe this would validate efforts to roll back Biden-era expansions of government and defend constitutional principles, especially as the nation confronts ongoing threats from unchecked immigration, inflation, and radical cultural agendas. However, critics warn that it could intensify divisions within the party and across the country, underscoring the stakes of the current debate.

The ongoing discussion highlights the enduring power of media and grassroots advocacy in shaping the conservative movement’s priorities. Moore’s initiative, amplified by influential commentators and publications, is both a test and a catalyst for the party’s future. With Trump yet to publicly respond, the outcome will help determine whether the GOP doubles down on the core values that propelled it back to power—or risks diluting its message in the name of political expediency.