Former President Donald Trump made his first appearance on Capitol Hill since January 6, 2021, as he rallied House and Senate Republicans on Thursday. The meeting marked Trump's first visit to Washington since being convicted on 34 felony counts by a New York jury. Trump met with GOP senators at the National Republican Senatorial Committee and later addressed the full House Republican conference.

During the gathering, Trump emphasized the unity within the Republican Party, stating, "There is tremendous unity in the Republican Party." The former president, however, did not take any questions from reporters. Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz described the event as a "pep rally," while Rep. Elise Stefanik, chair of the House Republican Conference, called it a "very successful" political gathering.

Stefanik expressed full support for Trump's candidacy, highlighting the Republican Party's unanimous backing. She stated, "We are 100% unified behind his candidacy and are ready to get to work on behalf of the American people." Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who endorsed Trump for president in March despite past criticism, described the meeting as "really positive," emphasizing the standing ovations Trump received.

The former president discussed various topics with the Republicans, including immigration, the economy, and the legal situations he currently faces. GOP Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota mentioned that Trump also brought up the possibility of not taxing tips, considering it as a potential popular change to the tax code and the economy.

Trump's visit to Capitol Hill comes in the wake of his recent conviction and sentencing. Last month, he was found guilty on 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records to pay off adult film star Stormy Daniels. Trump has consistently denied the allegations, and his campaign has claimed an increase in fundraising since the conviction.

While Trump met with Republicans, the Biden campaign released an ad criticizing him for his role in the January 6 attack on the Capitol. In response, the Democratic National Committee launched a mobile billboard in the area. Some officers present during the attack are also traveling to swing states in support of the Biden campaign.

Trump continues to assert that the 2020 presidential election was rigged, casting doubt on the integrity of the upcoming November election. Ahead of his meeting with congressional Republicans, the House Administration Committee issued subpoenas for documents from President Biden's Cabinet regarding voter registration, election information, and efforts to combat election misinformation and conspiracy theories.

In addition to his Capitol Hill visit, Trump met with GOP Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin in Virginia to review polling data from the state. Recent internal polling from the Trump campaign suggests that Virginia could be competitive in November, potentially forcing the Biden campaign to divert more resources to a traditionally safe state.

The Biden campaign, however, remains confident in their support in Virginia. Jake Rubenstein, the Biden-Harris 2024 Campaign Virginia state director, stated, "Virginians have rejected Trump every time he's run here," indicating their commitment to mobilizing voters across the state.

As Trump's post-presidential activities gain momentum, his rally with Republicans on Capitol Hill signifies his continued influence within the party. The former president's visit comes at a crucial time as both parties gear up for the next election cycle, with Republicans seeking to build on their unity and policy agenda as they move forward.