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A small group of Republican lawmakers did not feel that their leaders had their first secret meeting a decade ago, huddling in secret meetings in small rooms inside and outside the U.S. Capitol, while also closely guarding their membership for fear of being punished by top Republican leaders.
Fast forward to Thursday morning, and the House Freedom Caucus (HFC) welcomes its members, top Republican donors, Trump administration officials even Spokesperson Mike Johnson, R-la.to the gorgeous room at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C. to commemorate its tenth anniversary and its first annual policy summit.
Johnson told Fox News Numbers before speaking to the group that it was their celebration and anniversary and I wanted to be part of it. “My closest friend is in this room. ”
Former House Speaker John Boehner’s caucus once called “legislative terrorists” is now at the center of Washington’s major Republican policy struggle. Although they are still frustrated with many Republican lawmakers – they think the group is harmful to the Republican agenda, the HFC is no longer hidden and has the ears of some of the most powerful people in the DC
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The House Liberty Caucus is the center of several legislative struggles in Congress this year. (Getty Image)
Marlin Stutzman, founding member of HFC, R-Ind. Rep. Marlin Stutzman, who left Congress and returned in 2025, told Fox News Digital in Willard. “There is always a lot of consensus in the meeting, like, ‘Oh yeah, we want to get there, but… Sometimes you need someone in a difficult position to help you move it to the right scope, not what you think is possible.”
Instead of becoming a tricky side of Republican leaders, the HFC is trying to work with the president Donald Trump Promote conservative policies.
Andy Harris (R-Md, chairman of the Housing Freedom Caucus.
“We are driving,” he said. “We have worked with the president to advance his agenda in the most conservative way and we have achieved success.”
Border Cheese Tom Homan also spoke at the event with Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), who told Fox News Digital Numbers Trump’s border agenda.
“They are on the right,” Homan said. “They want to protect the border because they know a safe border, a strong border, that gives us strong national security … they want us to enforce the law.”
In the second half of 2023, a group of HFC members are key to the first successful launch of the House Speaker’s term in U.S. history.
House Liberty Caucus Chairman Andy Harris held the group’s policy summit Thursday, September 4, 2025 in Washington. (Fox News figures)
They are also pushing Republican spending bills and a recent large, beautiful bill bill (at least in the House).
Even during Thursday’s two-day event, some HFC members threatened to lower Republican-led spending bills as a warning to House leaders to keep a conservative path.
The approach has been considered split over the years and this year is no different.
“They behave as if they were the only principled conservatives in the conference. Almost as if they were willing to be a minority,” a Republican said to the Fox News numerical numbers. “They like the attention they get when they hold it, and end up folding. That’s why no one respects them.”
Another Republican lawmaker said that in the current negotiations, avoiding the government shutdown, “The Liberty Caucus is not two years ago or even four years ago. I don’t know why you call them, but Andy Harris speaks for himself.”
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“What is the goal of the Freedom Caucus? Are you going to win? They asked. “I mean, are they losing their teeth?” From an outside perspective, no, I still think they were heard. ”
Current HFC members refuted the criticism.
“We are willing to negotiate with Donald Trump and the Senate to beat Democrats with the most conservative bill, so please go ahead and assume we are dead, please keep writing that sued because we are winning.”
“If winning is a fold, I’ll fold every time,” Harris said of the critics.
Indeed, the group does have White House ears.
Former HFC Chairman Scott Perry, R-Pa. , who delivered his opening speech at the summit exclusively watched by Fox News Digital, revealed that White House aides attended the group’s recent meeting with conservative senators.
“Last night, along with White House deputies, we were asked, ‘What is the plan?’ I’m not exaggerating, this is your freelance caucus, the “legislative terrorists” that took place in the room,” Perry told the audience.
Rep. Chip Roy is expected to be one of the organization’s highest departure events at the end of the 119th Congress. (Getty Image)
But the group is expected to see some high-profile departures in its next congressional term: Roy’s campaign for Texas attorney general, R-Ariz. Representatives Andy Biggs and R-FLA. Byron Donalds are all running for governor, etc.
Roy told Fox News Digital, “We’ve had a conversation. We have something to help ensure and ensure lifespan.
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Newer members say they are ready to fill the rankings of those who stay.
“Now I’ve been here, this is my third year and I’m happy with it, and it gives me more confidence to know what the right path or the wrong path is,” said Rep. Eric Burlison. “And I think there are other members like me — when these guys go away, there are a lot of really talented members who can wear their shoes.”
