It’s a “blood bath” at the RNC.
The Republican National Committee (RNC) is now conducting a massive personnel restructure. The new leadership team, which is closely linked with former President Donald Trump, has taken the dramatic step of firing scores of employees.
The “house cleaning” represents a concerted attempt by the new RNC leadership to overhaul the committee’s direction and strategy ahead of critical election contests. According to sources familiar with the proceedings, the purge is part of a larger attempt to consolidate control and redirect the RNC’s operational focus.
The firings, characterized by insiders as a “wild firing spree,” follow upon Lara Trump being elected as RNC Co-Chair, along with North Carolina GOP leader Michael Whatley.
Michael Whatley, who has shown support for Trump, nonetheless has a mixed record on policies such as election integrity. He has been accused of practicing law without a license and being a McDaniel loyalist, but has garnered the backing of former President Trump.
Lara Trump’s nomination as co-chair was viewed as a watershed event for the RNC, ushering in a new era of leadership that is expected to closely reflect the political and intellectual leanings of the Trump faction within the GOP. Her promotion to a key leadership position inside the RNC was welcomed with both praise and suspicion, highlighting the party’s profound differences about its future direction and the role of the Trump family among its ranks.
Politico reported:
All told, the expectation is that more than 60 RNC staffers who work across the political, communications and data departments will be let go. Those being asked to resign include five members of the senior staff, though the names were not made public. Additionally, some vendor contracts are expected to be cut.
In a letter to some political and data staff, Sean Cairncross, the RNC’s new chief operating officer, said that the new committee leadership was “in the process of evaluating the organization and staff to ensure the building is aligned” with its vision. “During this process, certain staff are being asked to resign and reapply for a position on the team.”
The overhaul is aimed at cutting, what one of the people described as, “bureaucracy” at the RNC. But the move also underscores the swiftness with which Trump’s operation is moving to take over the Republican Party’s operations after the former president all but clinched the party’s presidential nomination last week.
Ronna McDaniel indicated in February that she will retire from office on March 8th, upholding her vow to step down following the South Carolina primary. At the committee’s spring meeting, McDaniel had mixed feelings, stating, “It is a little bittersweet to be with all of you here today as I step down as chair after seven years of working with you all.”
It certainly was “bittersweet” for Ronna McDaniel loyalists, as well, who are undoubtedly among the staffing casualties on “Bloody Monday” at the RNC. Before stepping down, McDaniel had taken heat for her multiple election losing streak, as well as wasteful spending on frivolities like limousines and floral bouquets while viable candidates lacked backing.
