The prosecutor’s office subordinate to Waldemar Żurek has launched proceedings concerning the financing of the conservative conference CPAC Poland 2025, which in May this year gathered global opinion leaders in Jasionka near Rzeszów. The prosecutor’s actions included, among other things, issuing unprecedented demands to the event’s co-organizer, TV Republika. “Using the justice system as a weapon always backfires on those who try to do it,” warned Michał Rachoń. “It seems that the Prime Minister’s government in Poland is looking to investigate CPAC due to our impact on the Presidential race? Lawfare will not work in the USA or Poland,” wrote Matt Schlapp, head of the conservative organization CPAC. “Free Speech will be guaranteed if countries want be US allies,” he added.
The investigation machinery was set in motion following a report filed by a Civic Coalition councilor. The District Prosecutor’s Office in Rzeszów is examining alleged abuse of power by members of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship Board in connection with the financing of the CPAC conference in Rzeszów. As part of the proceedings, TV Republika, which co-organized the event, received a letter demanding the release of full recordings of the conference, as well as lists and contact details of speakers and participants.
These actions met with an immediate and sharp response. Michał Rachoń, program director of TV Republika, directly accused the authorities of using the prosecutor’s office as a tool in political battles.
“The weaponization of the judiciary always backfires on those who try it.TV Republika will not be intimidated, nor will CPAC – neither in Poland nor in the USA. We will not be broken by letters sent by prosecutors dependent on Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The next CPAC in Poland is coming soon!” Rachoń wrote on platform X.
Matt Schlapp, the chairman of the American Conservative Union, the main organizer of CPAC worldwide, spoke in a similar tone. In his post, he suggested that the actions of the Polish government are retaliation for the influence conservative ideas have had on public debate in Poland, including the presidential race.
“It seems that the Prime Minister’s government in Poland is looking to investigate CPAC due to our impact on the Presidential race? Lawfare will not work in the USA or Poland. Sorry not sorry. See you again next year!”
The case carries significant international weight. The special guest of the May CPAC Poland conference was Kristi Noem, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security in President Donald Trump’s administration. Her presence underscored Poland’s importance not only for the global conservative movement but also for transatlantic security. In this context, the actions of the prosecutor’s office and Tusk’s government may be seen not only as an attack on independent media and opposition circles in Poland but also as an affront to Washington and President Trump. The prosecutor’s demand for guest data, including American government officials, is a step that risks embarrassing Poland on the international stage.
The success of the conference had from the outset been “a thorn in the side” of the ruling camp. The actions of the prosecutor’s office can hardly be viewed as anything other than an attempt to intimidate and discourage the organization of similar initiatives in the future. Tomasz Sakiewicz, president of TV Republika, commenting on the matter for Niezalezna.pl, stated that “the level of madness of the current government, especially within the justice system, has surpassed its zenith.“