RNC Chair Michael Whatley Re-elected, Vows to Protect Trump’s Agenda

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Michael Whatley was unanimously re-elected as chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) on Friday during the party’s winter meeting in the nation’s capital. Whatley, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, pledged to continue advancing Trump’s agenda and protecting election integrity as the GOP prepares for the 2025 and 2026 elections.

“This organization has got to be the tip of the spear. And as your chairman, I promise this organization will be the tip of the spear to protect Donald Trump,” Whatley said after the vote. He emphasized the RNC’s role in ensuring Trump’s policies are implemented and defended during the upcoming electoral cycles.

Whatley, who previously served as RNC general counsel and chair of the North Carolina Republican Party, was handpicked by Trump in March 2023 to lead the national committee. He succeeded Ronna McDaniel, who stepped down after losing Trump’s support. Whatley’s re-election comes as Republicans celebrate recent victories, including Trump’s return to the White House and the GOP flipping control of the Senate in the 2024 elections.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Whatley outlined his priorities for the next two years. “It’s really critical for us to make sure that the Trump voters become Republican voters,” he said. “We’re going to go right back to the building blocks that we had during this election cycle, which is to get out the vote and protect the ballot.”

Whatley pointed to the party’s success in attracting diverse voter groups, including African American, Asian American, Hispanic, young, and women voters, as a key factor in their recent wins. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining momentum ahead of the 2026 midterms, which will determine whether Republicans can secure a four-year agenda in Congress.

“Everything is focused on ‘26,” Whatley said. “That is going to determine, from an agenda perspective, whether we have two years to work with or four. And America needs us to have a four-year agenda.”

The RNC chair also addressed the party’s strategy for future elections, emphasizing voter registration and outreach. “We’re going to be communicating with the folks that we need to turn out,” he said. Whatley noted that the 2026 midterms will be highly competitive, with both parties vying for control of Congress.

Whatley also praised the inclusion of former Democrats Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard in Trump’s cabinet, calling it a sign of the GOP’s broad appeal. “That shows you that this is a commonsense agenda, a commonsense team, that we’re going to be moving forward with,” he said.

As Trump prepares to return to the White House, Whatley assured that the RNC will remain closely aligned with the president-elect’s agenda. “We’re going to support the president and his agenda. That does not change,” he said. “What changes is his ability from the White House to actually implement the agenda that he’s been campaigning on.”

The winter meeting also marked the final appearance of Lara Trump as RNC co-chair. Trump’s daughter-in-law, who is stepping down from her role, urged the party to continue expanding its reach. “It’s crucial that we take the opportunity the voters have given us to continue to expand the Republican brand,” she said.

Looking ahead to the 2028 presidential election, Whatley reiterated the RNC’s commitment to neutrality in the nomination process. He expressed confidence in the party’s deep bench of potential candidates, including governors, senators, and members of Congress. “I love the fact that the Republican Party is going to be set up to have a fantastic candidate going into ’28,” he said.

Whatley also dismissed calls to alter the GOP’s primary calendar, arguing that the current system has served the party well. “I don’t think that changing the calendar really helped the Democrats at all,” he said. “And I think that us, making sure that we are working our system the way that we always have, is going to be critical.”