Letter Examines Origins of 'America First' Slogan

Chico resident discusses conversation about political views at local farmers market

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A Chico resident describes a recent conversation they had with a young man at a local politician's table near the Farmers Market. The young man questioned how the resident could support Democrats while not embracing the 'America First' slogan, and the resident attempted to explain the isolationist origins of the 'America First' movement prior to World War II.

Why it matters

The 'America First' slogan has a complex history, with origins dating back to the isolationist movement in the years leading up to World War II. Understanding this historical context is important for evaluating how the phrase is used in modern political discourse.

The details

The letter writer was staffing a table for local politician Mike McGuire near the Chico Farmers Market when a young man approached with questions. The young man wanted to know how the letter writer could support Democrats while not embracing the 'America First' slogan. The letter writer attempted to explain that 'America First' originated as an isolationist movement prior to World War II, before the phrase took on new political meaning in more recent years.

  • The conversation took place recently while the letter writer was staffing a table near the Chico Farmers Market.

The players

Mike McGuire

A local politician whose table the letter writer was staffing near the Chico Farmers Market.

The young man

An individual who approached the letter writer's table with questions about supporting Democrats while not embracing the 'America First' slogan.

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What they’re saying

“How could I support Democrats and why on earth I could not get behind America First. He wanted to have a 'dialogue.'”

— The young man (chicoer.com)

“I attempted to discuss America First origins as the isolationist movement prior to the Second World War.”

— The letter writer (chicoer.com)

The takeaway

This exchange highlights the complex history and evolving political meaning of the 'America First' slogan, which has roots in the isolationist movement before World War II but has taken on new significance in more recent years. Understanding this context is important for evaluating how the phrase is used in modern political discourse.