Byron Donalds threatens to shut down the government unless Joe Biden secures the border in fiery start to CPAC: Lara Trump endorses early voting as MAGA fans descend on Washington

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) kicked off the first day of the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, DC, on Thursday, demanding that President Joe Biden secure the Southern border or face a government shutdown.

'My position to my colleagues on Capitol Hill is: You either secure the border or you get no money for the government,' Donalds said.

The crowd enthusiastically endorsed the idea, clapping and cheering 'Shut it down'

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)

Donalds berated Biden for failing American citizens while focusing more of his attention on defense funding for Ukraine. 

"Decide, Joe Biden. Which country matters more to you? The border of the United States or the border of Ukraine?" he asked.

Donalds called out the growing violent crime in America's major cities, especially New York City, and

Donalds said many of his Republican colleagues were squeamish about the idea of a government shutdown, warning him they never ended up winning a showdown with Democrats on funding the government.

'I say there's never been an issue facing this country that has united the American people more,' he said to loud applause.

Lara Trump, former campaign advisor to former president Donald Trump, delivers remarks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)

Lara Trump, former campaign advisor to former president Donald Trump, delivers remarks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)

Lara Trump endorses early voting ahead of RNC co-chair bid

Lara Trump took the stage at CPAC to support her father-in-law, but also mentioned that former President Trump endorsed her to co-chair the Republican finance committee.

The audience cheered her mention of the idea wildly, prompting her to discuss it.

'This is a position for I never imagined I would run but also never imagined that our country would be in dire straights.'

She kicked off her bid by urging conservatives to embrace early voting, a position that only earned mild applause.

'The truth is, if we want to compete with the Democrats, we cannot wait until Election Day,' she said. 'If we want to compete and win we must embrace early voting. The days of waiting until Election Day to vote are over.”

She urged activists to vote early and also get their friends to do the same.

'We must fight fire, not with fire but with dynamite," she said.

Ben Carson defends Trump against multiple felony charges

Former United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson delivered a sober speech, defending former President Donald Trump against the multiple charges against him.

'Trump's only crime is representing the American people first and for that, they are trying to put him in jail for the rest of his life tie him up in court, take all of his assets, they are terrified by him,' he told attendees.

 Carson warned against America's institutions turning against conservatives, especially institutions of law enforcement.

'The law is being used to constantly harass upstanding citizens, while the real criminals go untouched,' he said.

'To our leaders, you and I are the enemy, not the carjackers, and the looters and the criminals who are running rampant in our cities,' he added.

 Carson warned leaders that they were losing the backing from Americans, and would face consequences. 

'America was founded on the notion that all political power comes from consent of the governed,' he said, adding, 'Washington is losing its legitimate claim to govern the American people.'