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A small group of Republican lawmakers who didn’t really feel their leaders had been pushing a conservative sufficient agenda first started assembly in secret a decade in the past, huddling in small rooms each inside and outdoors the U.S. Capitol, whereas intently guarding their membership for concern of punishment by prime Home GOP leaders.
Quick-forward to Thursday morning, and the Home Freedom Caucus (HFC) was welcoming its members, prime GOP donors, Trump administration officers and even Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to an ornate room inside Washington, D.C.’s Willard Lodge to mark its decade anniversary and its first annual coverage summit.
“It’s a giant celebration and an anniversary for them, and I wish to be part of it,” Johnson advised Fox Information Digital simply earlier than addressing the group. “A few of my closest associates are on this room.”
The caucus that former Home Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, as soon as referred to as “legislative terrorists” are actually on the heart of key Republican coverage fights in Washington. And whereas they’re nonetheless a supply of frustration for a lot of GOP lawmakers – who discover the group to be disruptive to Republicans’ agenda – HFC is hiding no extra and has the ear of among the strongest individuals in D.C.
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The Home Freedom Caucus has been on the heart of a number of of Congress’ legislative fights this yr. (Getty Photos)
“This was by no means our objective, you recognize, however we needed to have an effect,” Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., a founding member of HFC who left Congress and returned in 2025, advised Fox Information Digital of the occasion on the Willard. “There’s at all times plenty of settlement within the convention, like, ‘Oh yeah, we wish to get there,’ however…typically you form of want the tough individuals to assist transfer it slightly bit additional to the fitting than what you thought you would possibly be capable of.”
And moderately than being a thorn within the aspect of Republican leaders, HFC is attempting to work hand-in-hand with President Donald Trump to push for conservative insurance policies.
They aren’t going in opposition to the grain any longer, Home Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris, R-Md., advised Fox Information Digital.
“We’re driving the grain,” he mentioned. “We work with the president to advance his agenda in essentially the most conservative approach potential, and we’ve been profitable.”
Border czar Tom Homan, who additionally addressed the occasion together with Workplace of Administration and Funds (OMB) Director Russell Vought, advised Fox Information Digital that HFC was key to advancing Trump’s border agenda.
“They’re on the fitting aspect,” Homan mentioned. “They wish to safe the border as a result of they know a safe border, a powerful border, offers us sturdy nationwide safety…they need us to implement the legal guidelines.”
In late 2023, a gaggle of HFC members had been key to efficiently pushing out a Home speaker mid-congressional time period for the primary time in U.S. historical past.
Home Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris opens the group’s coverage summit in Washington on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (Fox Information Digital)
They’ve additionally performed vital roles in pushing Republican spending payments and the latest One Massive, Stunning Invoice Act to the fitting – not less than within the Home.
Even in the midst of their two-day occasion on Thursday, some HFC members threatened to sink a GOP-led spending invoice as a warning shot to Home leaders to maintain on a conservative path.
The strategy has been seen as divisive for years, and this yr is not any totally different.
“They act as if they’re the one principled conservatives within the convention. It’s virtually as if they might moderately be within the minority,” one Home Republican, granted anonymity to talk freely, advised Fox Information Digital. “They love the eye they get once they maintain out, solely to fold ultimately. It’s why nobody respects them.”
One other GOP lawmaker mentioned, within the context of present talks to avert a authorities shutdown, “The Freedom Caucus shouldn’t be what it was two years in the past and even 4 years in the past. I don’t know what you name them, however Andy Harris speaks for himself.”
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“What’s the objective of the Freedom Caucus? Is it to win? Is it to fold?” they requested. “I imply, have they misplaced their tooth? From an outdoor perspective, no, I nonetheless suppose they get heard.”
Present HFC members disregarded the criticism.
“We’re prepared to barter with Donald Trump and the Senate to beat Democrats with essentially the most conservative invoice potential, so please hold assuming that we’re lifeless, and please hold writing that obituary, as a result of we’re successful,” HFC Coverage Chair Chip Roy, R-Texas, advised Fox Information Digital.
Harris mentioned of the critics, “If successful is folding, then I’ll fold each time.”
Certainly, the group does have the ear of the White Home.
Former HFC Chair Scott Perry, R-Pa., who gave opening remarks throughout a portion of the summit solely considered by Fox Information Digital, revealed that White Home aides attended the group’s latest assembly with conservative senators.
“Final night time, with representatives from the White Home, we had been requested, ‘What’s the plan?’ I’m not exaggerating, that is your Freedom Caucus, the ‘legislative terrorists’ within the room the place it occurred,” Perry advised the viewers.
Rep. Chip Roy is predicted to be one of many group’s highest-profile departures on the finish of the 119th Congress. (Getty Photos)
However the group is predicted to see some high-profile departures within the subsequent congressional time period: Roy is operating for Texas Lawyer Normal, and Reps. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., and Byron Donalds, R-Fla., are each operating for governor, amongst others.
Roy advised Fox Information Digital of the turnover, “We have had a dialog. We have now issues we wish to do to assist form of be sure and make sure the longevity. Proper now, we have to ensure the great persons are operating. We have now to ensure we proceed to develop the ranks of the Freedom Caucus.”
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And newer members have signaled they’re able to fill the ranks of these left behind.
“Now that I’ve been right here, and it’s my third yr, and I get comfy with this, it offers me much more confidence to know what’s the proper path or what’s the mistaken path,” mentioned Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., whose profile in HFC has risen in his brief time in Congress. “And I believe there’s different members like me which might be – as these guys step away, there’s loads of actually gifted members to step of their footwear.”
