Michael Whatley, the Chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), refrained from directly addressing questions about the legitimacy of the 2020 election, choosing instead to emphasize the importance of election integrity for upcoming electoral cycles.
During an interview on NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday” with Chris Stirewalt, the topic arose from recent allegations that the RNC was evaluating potential rehires based on their views of the 2020 election’s legitimacy. When questioned about these allegations, Whatley prioritized allegiance to former President Trump and the Republican ticket, along with a commitment to the party’s success in the forthcoming elections, over confirming the reports directly.
Stirewalt pursued clarity on Whatley’s stance regarding the 2020 election’s legitimacy, probing whether he believed it was stolen. Whatley acknowledged perceived irregularities and underscored the necessity for robust election integrity measures, such as eliminating drop boxes, enforcing voter ID laws, and requiring witness signatures for absentee ballots.
Whatley suggested that these measures are broadly supported by Americans and pivoted the discussion towards future electoral processes, avoiding a definitive stance on the 2020 election’s outcome. He affirmed his support for Trump by referencing his Electoral College vote but recognized Joe Biden as the current president, stressing the RNC’s focus on securing victory in the 2024 elections.
Under Whatley’s leadership, who received Trump’s endorsement and was elected in a committee reshuffle influenced by Trump and his supporters, the RNC has placed significant emphasis on election integrity. He reiterated in a conversation with John Catsimatidis on WABC 770 AM’s “Cats Roundtable” the RNC’s intent to actively monitor the voting process in the upcoming elections. Additionally, Lara Trump was elected as the committee’s co-chair, further signifying the Trump family’s ongoing influence within the RNC.
