In a recent interview, Saurabh Sharma, a prominent figure in Donald Trump's MAGA movement, shared his insights on the movement's principles and future direction. Co-founder of American Moment and executive director of the Edmund Burke Foundation, Sharma was born in Bengaluru and moved to the United States at just three months old. He identifies as exclusively American and strongly believes in traditional conservative values, emphasizing law and order as a core political principle.
Sharma critiques the U.S. foreign policy, arguing that it has been mismanaged over the last 30 to 40 years. He advocates for a reduced American presence in the Middle East, while still supporting Israel but suggesting a decrease in aid. He views the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as a consequence of previous U.S. foreign policy mistakes and considers China a significant military and economic threat. Sharma calls for improved diplomatic relations in Asia and argues for reshoring manufacturing back to the U.S.
On immigration, Sharma supports a cap on legal immigration and believes that racial identity should not influence policymaking. He asserts that the Republican Party is fundamentally anti-racist and critiques the perception of racism within the MAGA movement. He expresses confidence in Trump's political instincts and emphasizes the importance of having a competent staffing pool for a potential future Trump administration. Sharma's mission is to prepare a new generation of conservative leaders who can carry forward the values of the MAGA movement into the future.
This conversation sheds light on the evolving dynamics of American conservatism and the strategic vision that Sharma and others in the MAGA movement are advocating as the 2024 elections approach.