According to reports, the Republican National Committee is said to be reducing its workforce shortly after former President Donald Trump appeared to assume control of its leadership. Over 60 staff members, including key personnel in communication, data, and political divisions, were terminated following the departure of Chair Ronna McDaniel.
Certain employees were instructed to depart abruptly, while others were provided with a month-long notification period. The RNC made the decision to appoint Michael Whatley and Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of Donald Trump, as co-chairs just days prior to the commencement of the layoffs. Whatley, known for his allegiance to Trump, has previously held positions as the chair of the North Carolina Republicans and as the general counsel for the RNC.
Both former President Donald Trump and the current President, Joe Biden, have surpassed the delegate requirements to secure their respective party nominations. This sets the stage for the first presidential election rematch in 70 years in the United States. Following Super Tuesday, Republican contender Nikki Haley and Democratic candidate Dean Phillips ceased their campaigns. While Haley extended congratulations to Trump, she declined to disclose whether she would support him in the presidential election, asserting that he must earn the votes of those who did not previously endorse him.
Sean Cairncross, the recently appointed chief operating officer of the RNC, mentioned that the committee’s new leadership was in the process of assessing the organization and its personnel. He mentioned that specific staff members were being requested to voluntarily resign and reapply for different roles as part of this evaluation. Additionally, Chris LaCivita, who previously served as a senior campaign adviser for Trump, was appointed as the RNC’s new chief of staff.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) expressed disapproval of the party’s recent staff reductions. Alex Floyd, the DNC’s rapid response director, conveyed in a statement that terminating almost a third of the staff in what appeared to be an ideological cleansing so close to a presidential election was concerning for the party. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican Representative from Georgia and a staunch supporter of Trump, commended the layoffs, suggesting that they signaled a positive trajectory for the party. This strategy is intended to streamline operations within the RNC by reducing bureaucracy.
