RNC chair Ronna McDaniel stepping aside for Trump loyalists

• Michael Whatley, chair of the North Carolina GOP, to become leader.
• Trump campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita to effectively serve as COO.
• His daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, to serve as co-chair.

Zoom in: McDaniel's resignation is another sign of the former president's status as the party's de factor leader.

• "The RNC has historically undergone change once we have a nominee and it has always been my intention to honor that tradition," McDaniel said in the statement.
• Trump on his social media platform Truth Social earlier this month signaled that he might make changes at the RNC following the Feb. 24 South Carolina primary.
• "Ronna is now Head of the RNC, and I'll be making a decision the day after the South Carolina Primary as to my recommendations for RNC Growth," he wrote.

The big picture: The RNC raised $87.2 million in 2023 and entered 2024 with just $8 million in cash, its lowest cash on hand total since 2014, according to FEC filings.

• The New York Times first reported on McDaniel's plans to resign.

Editor's note: This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.