Democrats say they will save Speaker Mike Johnson's job if Republicans try to oust him
House Democrats will vote to save Speaker Mike Johnsonโs job should some Republican lawmakers seek to remove him from the position, avoiding a repeat of when eight Republicans joined with Democrats to oust his predecessor, former Rep. Kevin McCarthy.
Trump's team is slashing Republican National Committee staff amid takeover, AP sources say
Donald Trumpโs lieutenants are cutting dozens of staff across the Republican National Committee in a cost-cutting move that further cements the former presidentโs takeover of the GOPโs political and fundraising machinery.
Haley says she no longer feels bound by the GOP pledge requiring her to support the eventual nominee
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley says she no longer feels bound by a pledge that required all GOP contenders to support the partyโs eventual nominee in order to participate in the primary debates.
Lara Trump says she thinks GOP voters would like to see RNC pay Donald Trump's legal fees
Donald Trumpโs daughter-in-law and handpicked choice to help lead the Republican National Committee said she thinks Republican voters would support having the political organization pay the former presidentโs ballooning legal fees.
Trump wants to install new RNC leadership including his daughter-in-law as co-chair
Donald Trump is calling for a leadership change at the Republican National Committee in an attempt to install a new slate of loyalists โ including his daughter-in-law โ at the top of the GOPโs political machine even before he formally secures the partyโs next presidential nomination.
The RNC will meet privately after Trump allies pull resolution to call him the 'presumptive nominee'
The Republican National Committee is meeting behind closed doors in Las Vegas this week, but top party officials will no longer consider a resolution proposed to declare former President Donald Trump the presumptive Republican nominee.
What if Donald Trump is convicted? The 2024 Republican convention rules don't address the issue
The Republican National Committeeโs rules for next yearโs nominating contest and convention have been released, but a major question is unaddressed: Can delegates vote for a different candidate if the partyโs presumptive nominee is convicted of a felony.
FEC moves toward potentially regulating AI deepfakes in campaign ads
The Federal Election Commission has begun a process to potentially regulate AI-generated deepfakes in political ads ahead of the 2024 election, a move advocates say would safeguard voters against a particularly insidious form of election disinformation.
Republicans to conduct review after disappointing midterms
The Republican National Committee is moving forward with a new post-election audit designed to examine the GOPโs underwhelming performance in the recent midterms and the partyโs broader struggles since former President Donald Trump rose to power.
Kamala Harris talks abortion, appeals to voters in Milwaukee
Vice President Kamala Harris has met with college students and Latino leaders in Milwaukee during a visit meant to energize voters weeks before an election in which Wisconsin's Democratic governor, Tony Evers, and Republican U.S. senator, Ron Johnson, are on the ballot.
GOP now looks to censure Cheney and Kinzinger, not oust them
Republican officials meeting in Utah have advanced a watered-down resolution that would formally censure Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger for their perceived disloyalty to former President Donald Trump but not try to expel them from the party.
RNC threatens to boycott commission's presidential debates
The Republican National Committee says it is planning a rules change that would force presidential candidates seeking the partyโs nomination to sign a pledge saying they will not participate in any debates sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates.
FBI releases new video after bombs left at RNC, DNC offices
In this Jan. 6, 2021 photo, an explosive device is shown outside of the Republican National Committee office in Washington. The FBI has released new video showing someone placing two pipe bombs outside the offices of the Republican and Democratic national committees the night before the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. (AP Photo)WASHINGTON โ The FBI has released new video showing someone placing two pipe bombs outside the offices of the Republican and Democratic national committees the night before the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. โWe are asking for you to come forward and speak to us about any odd or out-of-character behaviors,โ DโAntuono said in a video statement released by the FBI. AdThe placement of the pipe bombs has been particularly concerning for law enforcement as officials continue to secure the Capitol and the number of threats against lawmakers remains high.
Trump, RNC clash over using his name in fundraising
In his first major speech since leaving office, Trump urged his supporters to give their money to Save America, his political action committee, instead of the GOP's traditional fundraising organizations. AdThe House and Senate Republican campaign committees and a Trump spokesman did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The RNC and Trump's campaign worked hand-in-hand during the 2020 election, including raising money through a joint fundraising committee. You have been selected as one of the FIRST to be invited to claim your Trump Legacy Membership,โ the RNC wrote in one appeal on Sunday. AdโWe NEED 10,000 patriots who still stand with President Trump before midnight tonight," โURGENT: TRUMP SUPPORTERS NEEDED,โ added the National Republican Senatorial Committee Monday afternoon.
Trump's cash plea could complicate GOP fundraising efforts
โPresident Trumpโs Legacy is in your hands," another pleaded. Before making his money pitch on Sunday, Trump's team quietly updated its fundraising filings. Money raised through Trump's website now goes to Save America JFC, a joint fundraising agreement between the two. Regardless of Trump's next move, the GOP is unlikely to remove him from its sales pitch anytime soon. โOur digital fundraising strategy is simple: raise as much money as possible," said Andrew Romeo, a spokesman for the RSLC.
AP Exclusive: GOP to stay neutral should Trump run again
FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2020 file photo, Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel speaks during a news conference at the Republican National Committee in Washington. The head of the Republican National Committee is declining to encourage former President Donald Trump to run for the White House in 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)NEW YORK โ The head of the Republican National Committee on Wednesday declined to encourage former President Donald Trump to run for the White House in 2024, saying the GOP would stay โneutralโ in its next presidential primary. Iโm not telling anybody to run or not to run in 2024,โ McDaniel told The Associated Press when asked whether she wanted to see Trump run again in the next presidential election. I think itโs dangerous.โMoving forward, she said that voters, not Trump, are the head of the Republican Party, though Trump continues to maintain โa huge, huge presenceโ with his base.
Discovery of pipe bombs in DC obscured by riot at Capitol
An explosive device is shown outside of the Republican National Committee office, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington. Investigators are still examining the devices and their components to determine the specific compounds inside the pipe bombs, but they both appeared to contain an unknown powder and some metal, the officials said. Investigators so far have few clues to go on โ and the chaos from the riot at the Capitol didnโt make their job any easier. Prosecutors described the items as something like โhomemade napalm bombsโ and arrested the truck's owner, Lonnie Coffman of Falkville, Alabama. But they said Coffman is not suspected of leaving the bombs at the Republican and Democratic national committees.
EXPLAINER: How does AP choose which lawsuits to cover?
While The Associated Press has covered the details of many of these lawsuits, it has not written a story on every one. Even before voting began, AP assigned a team of legal reporters to cover litigation in battleground states and to follow those cases through to the end. AP reporters and editors have read every lawsuit and their affidavits to assess which ones are the most newsworthy because of their potential impact on the overall election. As with all stories, AP reporters and editors approach the topic with an open mind, then collect facts and assess them. Remember, hundreds of lawsuits are filed in the United States each day, and journalists use their judgment about which ones merit news coverage.
GOP leader McDaniel to run for 3rd term with Trump's backing
McDaniel was selected by Trump for the role four years ago and he endorsed her for a new term about a week after the Nov. 3 election. That could give the outgoing president additional sway over the party as he ponders his own future, including a potential presidential run in 2024. While she did not repeat Trump's false claims that he won the election, McDaniel said the GOP continues โto fight for President Trump" as he makes legal challenges across the country. Despite Trump's musing about running again in four years, McDaniel pledged to uphold the party's neutrality in primaries. โPresident Trump earned more minority votes than any Republican candidate in decades, and a record number of women, minorities and veterans were elected to office,โ McDaniel wrote.
Trump teases 2024 run at White House Christmas party
WASHINGTON โ President Donald Trump teased running again for president in 2024 as he hosted a holiday reception at the White House. โItโs been an amazing four years,โ Trump told the crowd, which included many Republican National Committee members. It showed dozens of people crammed into the broad Cross Hall of the White House state floor, standing closely together. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Wednesday defended the Trumps' decision to host the parties. Stephanie Grisham, the first ladyโs spokeswoman and chief of staff, had said last month that the White House would be moving forward with events, โwhile providing the safest environment possible."
RNC to spend at least $20 million on Georgia's Senate races
In this Nov. 2, 2020 photo, Republican candidate for Senate Sen. David Perdue and his wife Bonnie reacts during a campaign stop at Peachtree Dekalb Airport in Atlanta. Republicans are flooding Georgia with cash and field operatives as they look to keep Democrats from seizing control of the Senate under President-elect Joe Bidens administration. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue. โWe need Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue in the Senate, and the RNC is mobilizing our grassroots army to help keep them there."
McEnany wears 2 hats as WH press secretary, campaign adviser
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany speaks during a news conference at the Republican National Committee, Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)If you need help with WJXTโs or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801.
Money to support Trump court fight could flow to president
The unusual way the Trump campaign is divvying up the contributions has drawn scrutiny from election watchdogs, who say Trump and his family are poised to financially benefit from the arrangement. In a statement, Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh did not address questions about how the incoming donations are split up. โThey could pay (Trump) children consulting fees. Thereโs no personal use restriction.โ(The RNC, not the Trump campaign, did spend almost $100,000 buying copies of Donald Trump Jr.โs book, โTriggered,โ last year.) Legal challenges filed by the Trump campaign have complained that their poll watchers were unable to scrutinize the voting process.
Noem's pitch to aid Trump seems to benefit own campaign fund
Kristi Noem speaks during the third night of the Republican National Convention on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020. (Courtesy of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee via AP)SIOUX FALLS, S.D. The Republican governor, a close Trump ally, launched a fundraising campaign soon after the election was called for Biden on Saturday. Ryan, a campaign finance lawyer, pointed out that the governor can give a maximum of $2,800 to Trumpโs campaign under federal law. Trump's solicitation, though billed as raising money for his legal fight, notes that half of contributions will go to pay off general election campaign debt.