Lara Trump and Michael Whatley begin mass layoffs at RNC, Internet dubs it ‘RINO hunting’

WASHINGTON, DC: The new leadership of the Republican National Committee, backed by former President Donald Trump, is pushing out dozens of employees, as reported by Politico.

Former North Carolina GOP Chair Michael Whatley and the ex-president's daughter-in-law Lara Trump took over the leadership on March 8 from former chair Ronna McDaniels.

As per reports, more than 60 people who work in the political, communications, and data departments will be laid off. Their names have not yet been disclosed, but they include five senior staffers. The massive layoff began on Monday, March 11, just three days into the new leadership's takeover.

Trump's control over Republican party

According to a letter sent to some staff by RNC's new chief operating officer, Sean Cairncross, the new 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 swift move at the RNC highlights Trump's increasing control over the Republican Party as he became the presumptive nominee to face President Joe Biden in November. The Trump campaign also took over the committee's operational control on March 11.

According to The New York Times, by the end of February, the RNC had around 200 people on payroll, and 120 of them were working at the headquarters in Washington, DC.

The report also claimed that a source with direct knowledge of the massive layoffs said that the GOP's entire finance and digital means would move to Palm Beach, FL, Florida, which is the base of Trump's campaign.

A copy of Cairncross' email also read, "Certain staff are being asked to resign and reapply. If you choose to not reapply, your last day of employment will be March 31."

Trump filling the RNC with his close allies comes at a time when he faces massive legal expenses. And his daughter-in-law, Lara, has indicated the possibility of the committee paying his legal fees.

In addition, recent comments by the former President and his elder son, Donald Trump Jr, about the dominance of MAGA indicates a growing influence of Trump on the Republican Party.

Trump, in a recent rally in Virginia, claimed the MAGA represented "96%, and maybe 100%" of the GOP. Trump Jr reiterated this argument in an interview on Newsmax when he said, "MAGA movement is the new Republican Party."

Internet reacts to layoffs in RNC

Weighing in on RNC firing around 60 staffers soon after the new leadership assumed control, social media users suggested it was the Trump family taking over the party. At the same time, some claimed it was an attempt to clear the RINOs (Republicans in name only).

One user called the layoffs "RINO hunting."

"This is a complete takeover of a national party by a family desiring to be royalty. The Republican Party is dead, all that remains is the House of Trump. Hope everyone who supports him understands this because history will not look kindly on them," another user wrote.

A third user added, "She fired them so no body can report what’s really going on! Cleaning the house to replace it with loyalists! Crooked is as crooked does!"

"Nepotism," a user simply stated.

While another response read, "Got to pay for trump’s bonds."

Some one else remarked, "They need to cut expenses because they need that money to pay for Trump's defense fund. This is the beginning of the end of the Republican party. This will finally push actual Republicans away from Trump and hand an easy victory to Biden! Thank you!!!"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.