Republican Party

The Republican Party, also known as the Grand Old Party or GOP, is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, alongside the Democratic Party. The party generally aligns with American conservatism, though its platform has shifted over time and the party is currently dominated by an “America First” or Trumpist faction.

Core Positions

The modern Republican Party platform, as of 2024, is centered on principles such as individual liberty, economic prosperity, and preserving American values. Key policy positions generally include:

Economic Issues: Historically favoring low income taxes, deregulation, and free market capitalism, the current party under Donald Trump has shifted towards protectionist policies including high tariffs on imports. They generally oppose government-run welfare programs, support private spending over government spending, and oppose increases to the minimum wage.
Social Issues: The party advocates for socially conservative policies, including opposition to abortion (with some internal division on exceptions), support for gun ownership rights and easing restrictions, and tough-on-crime measures such as capital punishment.
Immigration: The 2024 platform calls for the mass deportation of all illegal immigrants, the construction of a border wall, and a merit-based legal immigration system.
Foreign Policy: The party is currently divided on foreign aid (e.g., aid to Ukraine) but generally supports a strong national defense and an isolationist “America First” agenda.

History and Structure

The Republican Party was founded on March 20, 1854, in Ripon, Wisconsin, by anti-slavery activists, including former Whigs and Free Soil Democrats. Its first president was Abraham Lincoln, who led the Union during the Civil War and the effort to abolish slavery.

The party’s principal governing organization is the Republican National Committee (RNC), which is responsible for developing the party platform, coordinating election strategy, and organizing the Republican National Convention every four years.

Current Status (as of late 2025)

As of 2025, the Republican Party holds a federal government trifecta, controlling the presidency with Donald Trump as the 47th President, as well as majorities in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. It also holds a majority of state governorships and state legislatures across the country.