RNC Staff Shakeup After Donald Trump Daughter-in-Law Elected Co-Chair: Report

The Republican National Committee (RNC) has initiated on Monday a process of mass staff dismissals, following the recent election of Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of former President Donald Trump, as co-chair, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Approximately 60 staffers from divisions encompassing political strategy, communications, and data analysis are being asked to resign from their positions, with a focus on streamlining operations, as first reported by Politico.

RNC Restructuring: Senior Staff, Vendor Contracts Affected

Among those affected are several senior staff members, although specific names have not been disclosed. The restructuring extends beyond internal personnel, with expectations of trimming vendor contracts as well.

The initiative commenced promptly following the Trump campaign's assumption of operational control over the RNC. This development signals a proactive effort by the newly installed leadership to realign the committee's functions with the objectives of the Trump 2024 presidential campaign.

Last week, Trump's campaign took over operational control of the RNC. On Friday, former North Carolina GOP Chair Michael Whatley was elected the RNC's new chair, with Lara Trump elected as co-chair, both receiving Trump's endorsement.

Chris LaCivita, a prominent figure in the Trump campaign, also assumes the role of chief of staff at the RNC. Sean Cairncross, the RNC's recently appointed chief operating officer, emphasized the need for alignment in a letter addressed to select political and data staff members,

"During this process, certain staff are being asked to resign and reapply for a position on the team," he wrote.

Merging RNC with Trump 2024 Presidential Campaign

According to insights provided by Trump advisors, RNC is too big and bureaucratic, which they partly blame for the party's financial constraints. In response, Trump's campaign seeks to integrate its key functions such as communications, data analysis, and fundraising under a unified framework with those of the RNC.

The extent to which the RNC is being aligned with the Trump campaign is such that the dismissals primarily aim to eliminate redundancy in roles between the two entities, according to The Guardian.

While staff turnover following the nomination of a presidential candidate is not unprecedented, the magnitude of the recent dismissals underscores broader structural reforms within the RNC. As the RNC navigates this period of transition, the emphasis remains on fostering synergy between organizational leadership and the broader Republican constituency.

With the integration of campaign and committee operations underway, the stage is set for a recalibration of the Republican Party's strategic direction under the stewardship of its new leadership cadre.