President Trump faces mounting pressure from conservative leaders to honor Pat Buchanan, a foundational architect of “America First,” with the nation’s highest civilian award—while critics protest the move as a flashpoint in the battle over America’s political soul.
Rep. Riley Moore’s Push to Recognize a Conservative Trailblazer
On August 2025, Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV) sent a formal request to President Donald Trump, urging him to bestow the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Pat Buchanan, an 86-year-old icon of American conservatism. Moore’s letter cited Buchanan’s decades-long role as a senior advisor to three Republican presidents and as cofounder of The American Conservative, highlighting his unwavering advocacy for “America First” principles. This move comes as Trump’s administration seeks to honor figures whose values align with a renewed focus on national sovereignty, traditional values, and the American worker.
“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 @amconmaghttps://t.co/SaklCgDYpJ
— Rep. Riley M. Moore (@RepRileyMoore) August 22, 2025
Buchanan’s supporters argue he warned early about the dangers of deindustrialization, porous borders, and foreign entanglements—issues that have become central to conservative priorities in recent years. His 2002 founding of The American Conservative gave voice to ideas later adopted by Trump’s movement. Moore’s advocacy, amplified by conservative commentators and Gen Z activists, positions Buchanan not just as a political strategist, but as a “watchman” who foresaw threats to American industry and culture long before they were mainstream concerns. The timing of Moore’s request is notable, given Trump’s ongoing effort to signal ideological continuity and reward those who shaped his administration’s direction.
Buchanan’s Enduring Influence and the America First Agenda
Pat Buchanan’s career, which began as a White House speechwriter and advisor under Presidents Nixon, Ford, and Reagan, evolved into three presidential runs and a prominent media presence. He championed non-interventionism, protectionism, and traditional family values at a time when these views were marginalized by both parties. Over the years, Buchanan’s warnings about globalization, unchecked immigration, and the erosion of American manufacturing became rallying points for the modern GOP base. The 2025 push to honor Buchanan reflects recognition of his influence on current conservative policy, as President Trump’s administration continues to prioritize border security, economic nationalism, and a rollback of leftist policies that many conservatives see as undermining the Constitution.
Buchanan’s ideas have shaped not only the rhetoric but also the substance of the right’s legislative and executive priorities. His emphasis on defending American workers, limiting foreign entanglements, and resisting globalist agendas resonates with voters frustrated by decades of outsourcing, rising crime, and perceived attacks on traditional values. For many, recognizing Buchanan with the Medal of Freedom would send a powerful message: that the conservative movement values those who stood firm against the tide of globalism and government overreach, even when it was unpopular to do so.
Legacy, Controversy, and the Stakes for the Conservative Movement
While Buchanan is hailed by supporters as prophetic and principled, his critics point to a legacy marked by polarizing rhetoric and accusations of extremism. Detractors argue that awarding him the Medal of Freedom risks legitimizing divisive statements, while backers see such criticism as attempts to silence voices that challenge progressive orthodoxies. The debate reflects broader tensions within the conservative movement about the boundaries of acceptable discourse and the core tenets of American identity. Trump’s decision carries weight not only for Buchanan’s legacy, but for the signal it sends about the direction of the Republican Party—toward unapologetic America First advocacy or a more cautious, inclusive approach.
The implications are significant. In the short term, recognition would energize “America First” supporters and validate paleoconservative ideas. Long-term, it could further mainstream Buchanan’s positions and deepen ideological divides, both within the movement and in the nation at large. Regardless of outcome, the debate over Buchanan’s legacy highlights the enduring struggle to define what it means to put America first—at home, at the border, and on the world stage.
— The American Conservative (@amconmag) August 22, 2025
As of late August 2025, President Trump has not announced a decision, and the shortlist for Medal of Freedom recipients remains undisclosed. Conservative media and grassroots activists continue to press the case, arguing that honoring Buchanan would reaffirm the administration’s commitment to traditional values, constitutional rights, and the forgotten men and women of America. The outcome will likely shape not just Buchanan’s place in history, but the trajectory of conservatism in the Trump era and beyond.
Sources:
Patrick J. Buchanan White House Special Files – Nixon Library
Honor Patrick J. Buchanan with the Presidential Medal of Freedom – The American Conservative
Pat Buchanan – The Clan Buchanan
Patrick J. Buchanan – Britannica