Trump allies fold RNC into Trump campaign
The new leaders of the Republican National Committee fired more than 60 of the RNC's 200 employees
What happened
The new leaders of the Republican National Committee fired more than 60 of the RNC's 200 employees on Monday, in what Politico described as a "bloodbath." New RNC chair Michael Whatley, co-chair Lara Trump, and chief of staff Chris LaCivita — all close allies or family members of former President Donald Trump — were elected Friday.
Who said what
"This is Republicans streamlining," LaCivita said to The Associated Press, explaining that eliminating duplicate jobs would help the Trump campaign and RNC become essentially one organization. "MAGA is now in control of the Republican Party!!" Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said on X. "Gutting a committee just before the election seems insane," a former RNC employee said to The Washington Post.
The commentary
The RNC is supposed to help candidates up and down the ballot, and the only real reason to fuse campaign and party is to put the RNC's donations "under the direct control of Trump's family and campaign," TPM's Josh Marshall said. This "bloodbath" will get rid of "the anti-Trump sleeper cells" at the RNC, said Turning Point USA's Charlie Kirk. "What Trump and his cronies are about to do is gonna be epic," former RNC intern Sophia Nelson said on X. "The Republican Party will be in ruins by 2025."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
Some of the fired RNC staffers were told they could reapply for jobs in the organization, otherwise they must leave by March 31.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'Horror stories of women having to carry nonviable fetuses'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Haiti interim council, prime minister sworn in
Speed Read Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amid surging gang violence
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 26, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - teleprompter troubles, presidential immunity, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Justices set to punt on Trump immunity case
Speed Read Conservative justices signaled support for Trump's protection from criminal charges
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Biden is smart to keep the border-security pressure on'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Arizona grand jury indicts 18 in Trump fake elector plot
Speed Read The state charged Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani and other Trump allies in 2020 election interference case
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Voters know Biden and Trump all too well'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Who will win the 2024 presidential election?
In Depth Election year is here. Who are pollsters and experts predicting to win the White House?
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
National Enquirer helped Trump in 2016, ex-boss says
Speed Read David Pecker says the tabloid published fabricated content to hurt Trump's rivals
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sitting in judgment on Trump
Opinion Who'd want to be on this jury?
By Susan Caskie Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published