RNC Chair Reportedly Plans to Step Down

(RightWing.org) – Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel assumed office in 2017 after serving as the head of the Michigan GOP for two years. She’s an avid supporter of Donald Trump who spearheaded the move to censure former Representatives Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) after they defected and joined the Democratic-led select committee that investigated the January 6 riot at the nation’s capital. A recent report indicates that she’s planning on stepping down later this month.

On February 6, The New York Times broke the news that McDaniel planned to resign shortly after the February 24 Republican primary in South Carolina. Several individuals familiar with the situation said Trump is likely to encourage RNC members to select Michael Whatley as McDaniel’s successor. He currently leads the North Carolina Republican Party.

Trump lacks the authority under the RNC’s bylaws to promote Whatley to the position. However, he unquestionably has the political leverage within the Republican Party to make his voice heard. More importantly, the party heeds most of his commands as he leads the party to the upcoming general elections.

President Trump to Maria Bartiromo on Ronna McDaniel at RNC:

"There'll probably be some changes made."

McDaniel Must Go!💯 pic.twitter.com/T2sWwn9FJu

— Eddie (@ICU1010) February 4, 2024

Trump hinted that it was time for McDaniel to step down during an interview with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo on February 4. She asked what he thought about the chairwoman. Trump said she did a “great job” campaigning for him in Michigan and “initially” performed “okay” when she took over the RNC. But, the former president said he thought “some changes” were coming soon.

Trump echoed that sentiment the following day during a wide-ranging interview with Newsmax. Host Rob Schmitt asked him about McDaniel’s lackluster fundraising efforts and lack of positive results in the last few election cycles. Trump responded that she “understands” that it’s time to step down.

Some Republicans have been calling for McDaniel to step down for months. Her record in the last three election cycles has proven a bitter disappointment for conservatives. Republicans lost the House in 2018, the presidency and control of the Senate in 2020, and only managed to eke out a narrow victory in the House in 2022 despite historic norms and polling that indicated a red wave that year.