Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump riled up an angry conservative crowd just steps from the Capitol Building during a rally Wednesday against the Iranian nuclear deal.
The moderate-sized crowd that gathered on the west lawn of the Capitol roared for Trump and the other featured speaker, fellow 2016 candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), as they discussed the nuclear deal between six Western powers and Iran, which conservatives hope to dismantle either through a congressional resolution of disapproval or executive action by the next president.
— Layer 8 (@dotlayer8) September 9, 2015
Cruz and Beck. pic.twitter.com/0hZYtumNv2
— Layer 8 (@dotlayer8) September 9, 2015
The Daily Dot spoke briefly to Sen. Cruz about the deal, which Trump wants to keep and strengthen. Cruz prefers to get rid of it altogether.
Cruz and Trump weren’t the only conservative icons in attendance. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), political commentator Glenn Beck, and Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson also railed against President Barack Obama, congressional Democrats, the Iranian regime, and the deal itself, which they said would embolden Iran and eventually lead it to wipe Israel off the map.
Beck: "We empower Iran's goal of vaporizing Israel." pic.twitter.com/6DBIZdCR2Y
— Layer 8 (@dotlayer8) September 9, 2015
Tea Party congressmen, include Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), also took the stage to slam the deal, as did many other conservative political and religious figures. Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, now a Republican congressman, and Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), were also spotted at the event.
Below is a selection of tweets, photos, and videos that capture the scene at the rally.
Photo by Eric Geller