Las Vegas, Nevada – The Republican National Committee is considering a draft resolution that would declare former President Donald Trump as the “presumptive 2024 nominee” for the party’s presidential nomination. RNC members could vote on this resolution at their upcoming winter meeting in Las Vegas. The draft resolution, obtained by NBC News from two sources, asserts that “all evidence negates the possibility of a mathematical path forward to the 2024 Republican nomination by any candidate other than President Trump.”
The resolution’s purpose is to officially declare Trump as the presumptive nominee and move the party into full general election mode. Despite this, Trump has expressed his opposition to the resolution, citing the importance of party unity and the need to go through the traditional nomination process.
Nikki Haley, Trump’s former ambassador to the United Nations, remains defiant in continuing her campaign, drawing criticism from supporters of the resolution. RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel has signaled a desire to unite around Trump if he continues to dominate early caucuses and primaries. However, the proposed resolution has sparked controversy within the RNC, with committee members expressing concerns about disenfranchising voters and the violation of RNC rules.
The term “presumptive nominee” does not hold any official meaning or resources under party rules, highlighting the potential ambiguity and controversy surrounding the resolution. While there is precedent for the party to declare a “presumptive nominee” and begin merging the campaign and the national party, the issue remains highly contentious.
The proposed resolution has the potential to impact the future direction of the Republican Party, as it grapples with the dominance of Trump and the persistence of other candidates like Nikki Haley. It remains to be seen how the RNC will navigate these competing interests as it approaches its annual meeting next week.