(TheRedWire.com) – Donald Trump’s campaign is actively participating in selecting members for the RNC’s Platform Committee. The goal is to moderate the party’s positions on divisive issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage, according to insiders.
Each state and territory contributes one male and one female representative to the committee. A source told NBC News that it’s common for those close to a president to occupy these influential roles. “There are probably some people upset at us, but these positions are typically reserved for those who have supported the president,” the official stated.
The current GOP platform, a document of 66 pages, addresses topics including marriage, abortion, the Federal Reserve, and police reform. Normally revised every four years to align with the presidential election cycle, the platform saw no amendments in 2020—a break in tradition not seen in over 150 years due to the logistical challenges posed by the pandemic. This inaction has stirred discontent among both conservative and moderate Republicans.
The leadership of this committee, appointed earlier this month, consists of staunch Trump supporters. Randy Evans, who served as Trump’s ambassador to Luxembourg, is the Executive Director; Russ Voight, a former official at Trump’s Office of Management and Budget, is the policy director; and Ed Martin, leader of the conservative Phyllis Schlafly Eagles and the Eagle Forum Education and Legal Defense Center, serves as deputy policy director.
Interviews conducted by NBC reveal that many support the Trump campaign’s involvement given his status as the presumptive nominee. However, discussions about abortion and the definition of marriage are intensifying as the party’s July convention in Michigan draws near.
“A lot of effort is being put into the platform committee races across states this year,” a veteran Republican operative with past RNC experience told NBC News. “There’s a general agreement that the platform should avoid extreme right positions, particularly concerning abortion and marriage.”
Another RNC member remarked on the unusual degree of involvement by Trump’s allies in the platform committee. “It’s definitely unusual compared to past experiences. Some are worried they’re engaging merely to alter or control the platform,” a former committee member noted. “Obviously, the [former] president will likely achieve his goals, which is expected,” they added, acknowledging Trump’s influential role.
“This is a current topic of discussion within the party.”
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