The Republican National Committee has become "Trump's toilet," a former Republican congressman said.
Adam Kinzinger, a former Illinois representative and a vocal critic of Donald Trump, said reported changes to the GOP governing body would damage the Republican Party in upcoming elections.
"The RNC, in deciding to become Trumps toilet and slush fund, is going to do real damage to down ballot races," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "They deserve it for capitulating... how far they have fallen."
Donald Trump speaking at a campaign event in Rome, Georgia, earlier this month. Trump’s new leadership team at the Republican National Committee has started ousting scores of employees. Donald Trump speaking at a campaign event in Rome, Georgia, earlier this month. Trump’s new leadership team at the Republican National Committee has started ousting scores of employees. Elijah Nouvelage / AFP/Getty
The RNC underwent a major leadership shakeup last week after two close allies of Donald Trump were voted in to lead the party. The former president's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, was unanimously chosen as co-chair, alongside long-time Trump supporter Michael Whatley, who was elected to chair the RNC.
Days later, reports surfaced that the RNC was looking to lay off more than 60 staff members - including some senior positions - according to people familiar with the matter who spoke with Politico and other outlets. According to one source quoted by The New York Times, the party only had about 200 on its payroll at the end of last month.
In an interview with Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures with host Maria Bartiromo, Lara Trump discussed priorities the RNC will be taking on including "protecting the vote."
"We have to ensure that when people go vote, they feel like their vote counts...We can never allow what happened in 2020 and the questions surrounding that election to ever happen again," she said.
Lara Trump also warned those thinking about "cheating in an election" will be prosecuted to the fullest extent.
"To anyone out there who's thinking about cheating in an election, we will go after you. You will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law...Every person in this country should want free, fair, and transparent elections," she said.
She has in the past said that she would be committed to using RNC resources to support Donald Trump, including by paying for his multiple legal battles.
The reported changes in the RNC have triggered a mixed response, with those associated with the MAGA movement celebrating them and moderates, like Kinzinger, bemoaning them.
Donald Trump supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene, for instance, celebrated the reported layoffs in a post on X, formerly Twitter, writing: "MAGA is now in control of the Republican Party!!
"We will continue to need everyone's help all the way across the finish line!
"Do not grow weary. Dig deeper."
But speaking to Newsweek in February, William F. Hall, adjunct professor of political science and business at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, said the appointment of Lara Trump could signal the end of the Republican Party.
"Regretfully and also very sadly, it now genuinely appears that the former American political party, formerly known and referred to as the 'Grand Old Party' (GOP), may well now be headed the down the path toward extinction, similar to the former American political party known as the: 'Don't Tread on Me' political party," he said.
The RNC hasn't confirmed the reported layoffs and other changes within the body. Newsweek contacted a RNC representative by email to comment on this story.
Following her election as co-chair, Lara Trump said: "Everything I do at this committee will have one focus: re-electing Donald Trump, flipping the Senate, and expanding the House this November."