The memo arrives days after former President Donald Trump clinched the GOP nomination and nearly a week after Donald Trump’s handpicked team took the reins. “As is tradition and governed by applicable law, the RNC is merging operations with the Trump campaign. We are now a united operation, and a united front,” Whatley wrote. Whatley and Lara Trump, the former president’s daughter-in-law, were elected to succeed the outgoing chair and co-chair without any challengers on March 8.
It comes days after the RNC began laying off dozens of staffers. The cuts, which included top officials in communications, the political department and the data team, went beyond the norm and underscored the committee’s lackluster fundraising. Whatley’s memo also said the RNC is planning to keep its community centers and the Bank Your Vote program.