RNC to Oust More than 60 Staffers After Trump Takeover, Ensuring All Are ‘Aligned’ with His Vision
Politico reports that the new RNC "will effectively be one and the same" as the Trump campaign itself
Amid pressure from Donald Trump and a takeover by those close to him, the Republican National Committee will soon see what some are describing as a "bloodbath" of firings.
Politico reports that more than 60 RNC staffers across the organization's political, communications and data departments are expected to be let go — including five unnamed members of the senior staff — after Trump loyalists were recently installed on the committee's leadership team.
One of those new leaders is none other than his daughter-in-law Lara Trump.
Related: Ronna McDaniel Agrees to Resign as RNC Chair amid Pressure from the Trumps
Politico cites a letter sent to staffers from Sean Cairncross, the RNC’s new chief operating officer, which explained that new leadership was “in the process of evaluating the organization and staff" to ensure the two are aligned, adding: "During this process, certain staff are being asked to resign and reapply for a position on the team.”
Related: What Does GOP Stand For? Here's Why Republicans Adopted the Nickname
The mass firings come shortly after former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel resigned her position at the former president's request. Even before McDaniel officially stepped down, 77-year-old Trump had said he wanted North Carolina GOP Chairman Michael Whatley to succeed her, and that he hoped to see his daughter-in-law become the new co-chair.
Last week, both of those things happened, with Whatley and Lara elected to their respective posts. Chris LaCivita — a senior campaign adviser to Trump — was named chief of staff of the organization, Politico reported. The result of the shakeup is a far-right party now overseen by fiercely loyal Trump surrogates.
Related: Donald Trump Wants Daughter-in-Law Lara Trump to Co-Chair the RNC
Trump, who is widely expected to become the official Republican nominee for president at the party's convention in July, faces a number of legal issues — issues his daughter-in-law Lara has suggested could be financially resolved with party funds.
Related: Nikki Haley Drops Out of Republican Presidential Race, Leaving Only Donald Trump
The former president faces more than a half-a-billion dollars in civil judgments against him and was recently ordered to pay $354.9 million, plus an estimated $100 million in pre-judgment interest, as a penalty for committing fraud in New York. Earlier this year, Trump was ordered to pay former Elle columnist E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million in damages for making defamatory statements about her after she accused him of sexual assault.
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Politico reports that the new RNC will focus on fundraising — a sore spot for the party, which the outlet notes had "only about one-third as much" cash on hand as the Democratic National Committee at the end of last year.
Reports Politico: "Under the new structure, the Trump campaign is looking to merge its operations with the RNC. Key departments, such as communications, data and fundraising, will effectively be one and the same."
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