There are indications that the Republican National Committee is considering recognizing former President Donald Trump as the leading contender for the party's presidential nomination in 2024.
A draft resolution that names Trump has been circulating among RNC members and may be voted on at their winter meeting in Las Vegas, according to sources who have shared the document with NBC News.
The resolution states that based on the evidence, it is highly unlikely for any candidate other than President Trump to secure the 2024 Republican nomination. The document highlights the RNC's commitment to ensuring fairness in the caucus/primary processes across the country. It also emphasizes their efforts in organizing informative debates that focus on important issues, aiming to assist GOP voters in evaluating the candidates.
"RESOLVED that the Republican National Committee hereby declares President Trump as our presumptive 2024 nominee for the office of President of the United States and from this moment forward moves into full general election mode welcoming supporters of all candidates as valued members of Team Trump 2024," the resolution reads.
Trump urged the party to come together and support his candidacy following his resounding win in the New Hampshire primary. However, Nikki Haley, his former ambassador to the United Nations, has made it clear that she intends to persist with her campaign, which has sparked anger from him.
RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel has indicated a willingness to rally behind Trump should he maintain his strong performance in the early caucuses and primaries. After Trump's win on Tuesday, McDaniel expressed her doubts about Nikki Haley's future prospects, stating that she couldn't envision a clear path for her.
The resolution's news, initially reported by The Dispatch and attributed to Maryland committee member David Bossie, a close Trump ally, immediately sparked criticism from various members of the RNC. Oscar Brock, an RNC member from Tennessee, expressed his concern about the resolution he learned about on Thursday afternoon. He believes that the resolution goes against the intended purpose of RNC rules regarding the presidential primaries.
According to a source familiar with the Republican Party's rules, the term "presumptive nominee" does not hold any official significance or resources within the party's regulations. The resolution, although urging the RNC to transition to "full general election mode," does not mandate any specific actions to support Trump.
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Nikki Haley Slams RNC's Plan
In response to the report, Nikki Haley strongly expressed her disagreement with the RNC's alleged plan to declare Donald Trump the presumptive nominee, despite only two states having voted for a candidate.
In a statement, Haley spokeswoman Olivia Perez-Cubas dismissed the significance of the RNC's opinion. The decision of our party's nominee will be made by the millions of Republican voters across the country, rather than a group of individuals with insider knowledge in Washington.
"If Ronna McDaniel is interested in being of assistance, she could consider arranging a debate in South Carolina. Unless, of course, she has concerns about Trump's ability to handle a 90-minute stage presence alongside Nikki Haley," she remarked.
The proposed resolution from the RNC highlights Trump's significant victories in Iowa and New Hampshire, emphasizing his strong position in all states. After the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, McDaniel faced backlash for urging Haley to halt her campaign and for the party to rally behind Trump, The Washington Examiner reported.
