Former President Donald Trump gently nudged the Republican National Committee against enacting a proposal that would enshrine him as the party’s “presumptive nominee” for president.
“While I greatly appreciate the Republican National Committee (RNC) wanting to make me their PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE, and while they have far more votes than necessary to do it, I feel, for the sake of PARTY UNITY, that they should NOT go forward with this plan,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Thursday.
“I should do it the ‘Old Fashioned’ way, and finish the process off AT THE BALLOT BOX. Thank you to the RNC for the Respect and Devotion you have shown me! “
The resolution was furnished by David Bossie, an RNC committeeman from Maryland former Trump 2016 deputy campaign manager, and comes as former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley continues to jockey with the 45th president for the party nod.
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“Resolved, that the Republican National Committee hereby declares President Trump as our presumptive 2024 nominee for the office of President of the United States and from this moment forward moves into full general election mode welcoming supporters of all,” the resolution said.
Bossie’s pitch, first reported by The Dispatch and independently confirmed by The Post, cited Trump’s victories in the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary and argued that “money spent from this moment forward” would be more wisely used opposing President Biden.
Nikki Haley’s campaign brushed aside the RNC resolution. ERIK S LESSER/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockDavid Bossie is largely seen as a key ally of Donald Trump. AP
Haley’s campaign was unimpressed with the pre-emptive maneuver.
“Who cares what the RNC says? We’ll let millions of Republican voters across the country decide who should be our party’s nominee, not a bunch of Washington insiders,” said campaign spokeswoman Olivia Perez-Cubas.
“If [RNC Chairwoman] Ronna McDaniel wants to be helpful she can organize a debate in South Carolina, unless she’s also worried that Trump can’t handle being on the stage for 90 minutes with Nikki Haley.”
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RNC spokesperson Keith Schipper told The Post that Bossie’s proposal “will be taken up by the Resolutions Committee and they will decide whether to send this resolution to be voted on by the 168 RNC members at our annual meeting next week” in Las Vegas.
Schipper added that RNC members frequently propose resolutions and not all are adopted by the membership
RNC rules require candidates to lock down 1,215 delegates to become the party’s standard-bearer in a presidential election.
Trump won at least 20 of the 40 available delegates from Iowa following his near 30-point victory, and is set to pick up at least 12 of New Hampshire’s 21 delegates following his 11-point win in the Granite State, per the latest data.
Ronna McDaniel predicted Donald Trump will be the GOP standard bearer. AP
Haley is set to gain eight delegates from her third-place finish in Iowa and nine in New Hampshire.
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While McDaniel has stopped short of directly calling on Haley to exit the race, she told Fox News Tuesday night that she did not see how Haley could overcome Trump and win the nomination.
“I’m looking at the math and the path going forward, and I don’t see it for Nikki Haley,” she said at the time.
“There is a message that’s coming out from the voters, which is very clear,” she added. “We need to unite around our eventual nominee, which is going to be Donald Trump.”
Donald Trump is agitated that he still has a primary challenger. REUTERS
Neither the Trump campaign, nor Bossie immediately responded to requests for comment.
Bossie is also the chairman and president of Citizens United, a conservative advocacy group.
On one side of Concord’s City Plaza is a nativity scene. On the other is a pentagram — a symbol of Satanism — encircled by a wreath.
The display, installed by the Satanic Temple’s New Hampshire and Vermont congregation, honors the Dec. 25 Satanic holiday of Sol Invictus, which translates to “unconquered sun” in Latin.
Sol Invictus is a “celebration of being unconquered by superstition and consistent in the pursuit and sharing of knowledge,” according to the group’s website.
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The wreath, adorned with lilacs, New Hampshire’s state flower, will stay up through Dec. 31 alongside other religious and seasonal exhibits that are on display in front of the State House.
“We, like any other religion and organization, are allowed to participate in this public forum, and we are proud to stand with these other displays,” Vivian Hess-Mahan, the congregation’s co-leader and minister, said in a press release.
The Satanic Temple’s holiday display, including a Baphomet statue and 7 tenets of the religion, was placed Saturday in the city plaza in front of the NH State House. Credit: GEOFF FORESTER
This is the second annual holiday display by the Satanic Temple, which erected a statue of its part-goat, part-human deity, Baphomet, last year.
The robed figure and an accompanying plaque of the group’s guiding tenets garnered attention on social media and were repeatedly knocked down and shattered, leading Concord Police to arrest three people on vandalism charges.
The City of Concord approved the permit for the first display based on the First Amendment and to avoid a lawsuit, officials said in a statement last year.
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State Rep. Ellen Read, a Newmarket Democrat, asked the Satanic Temple to install something on City Plaza.
“As a secular lawmaker, I believe it is critical that the City of Concord does not appear to endorse one specific religion over another,” Read said in the press release, arguing that the public place of City Plaza should be “neutral and inclusive.”
“Pluralism is the heartbeat of the ‘Live Free or Die’ state,” she said. “We must ensure that no single perspective dominates the public conversation and that all groups feel safe and represented in their own government.”
A nursing assistant at a hospital in Manchester, N.H., has been charged with sexually assaulting a child who was receiving medical care at the facility, according to police.
Alexander Colbath, 25, was arrested on Friday, several days after the alleged assault was reported, Manchester police said in a statement on Monday.
Colbath is accused of fondling an 8-year-old girl on Nov. 29 at Elliot Hospital, according to court records. A hospital spokesperson said Tuesday that the defendant no longer works at the organization.
“Please know the safety of our patients, staff, and visitors at Elliot Health System remains our highest priority,” communications manager Crystal Mockler said, referring further questions to local authorities.
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Colbath is charged with aggravated felonious sexual assault. It was not clear whether he has a lawyer. He did not immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment.
Colbath made his initial court appearance in Manchester District Court on Monday. He didn’t enter a plea and was released on personal recognizance, with conditions that include having no contact with the victim or her family, and staying away from Elliot Hospital except in the case of a medical emergency.
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His next court hearing is scheduled for Jan. 8.
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Amanda Grady Sexton, public affairs director for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence reminded parents that they are not alone. Confidential services are available around-the-clock for those who may need help or guidance, she said.
“The allegations in this case are heartbreaking and remind us that even in places dedicated to healing, children can be vulnerable,” Grady Sexton said. “Ensuring strong safeguards, clear reporting pathways, and immediate support for families is vital.”
Those impacted by domestic and sexual violence or stalking can access free and confidential support services by calling the 24/7 statewide helpline at 866-644-3574.
Those who suspect that a child has been abused or neglected are required to report that concern to the state. The New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth, and Families central intake unit can be reached at 800-894-5533 (from within New Hampshire) or 603-271-6562 (from anywhere).
Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.
