Nikki Haley, the only remaining high-profile Republican candidate challenging former president Donald Trump for the party’s presidential nomination, has indicated that she no longer feels bound by the Republican National Committee (RNC) pledge she made to endorse the eventual GOP nominee. In an interview with Kristen Welker, Haley expressed her concerns about both Trump and Joe Biden.
Haley acknowledged that she did sign the RNC pledge to support the eventual nominee, but she emphasized that all candidates had to take the pledge to participate in Republican primary debates. Trump, however, did not sign the pledge. Haley argued that the RNC is no longer the same and stated, “In order to get on that debate stage, you said yes. The RNC is now not the same RNC.”
When asked if she is still bound by the pledge, Haley replied, “No, I think I’ll make what decision I want to make.” This statement clearly indicates her intention to exercise her own judgment and make decisions independent of any previous commitments.
The timing of Haley’s statement coincides with RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel’s announcement that she will step down from her role later in the week. It is worth noting that Trump has been actively pushing for his allies, such as his campaign’s senior advisor Chris LaCivita and his daughter-in-law Lara Trump, to fill the upcoming leadership vacancies.
Last week, Haley expressed her belief that the modern Republican Party may have shifted away from her views. She compared the party to a ship with a hole in it and urged her Republican Party family to consider taking a life raft and moving in a new direction. It is clear that Haley feels a disconnect between her own beliefs and the direction in which the party is heading.
Despite her aspirations for the nomination, Haley faces an uphill battle. She trails far behind Trump in the delegate count and continues to lose primaries to him, including in her home state of South Carolina. This reality further supports her decision to distance herself from the RNC pledge and assert her independence.
During the interview, Welker brought up the question of what Trump might do with a second term. Haley admitted that she didn’t know whether Trump would abide by the Constitution. She expressed concerns about Trump’s talk of revenge and vindication, highlighting her belief that no president should be above the law or have total immunity to do as they please.
In conclusion, Nikki Haley has made it clear that she no longer feels bound by the RNC pledge to support the eventual GOP nominee. She has raised concerns about both Trump and Biden, signaling a potential departure from the current direction of the Republican Party. While her chances of securing the nomination are slim, Haley’s decision to assert her independence demonstrates her willingness to make decisions based on her own judgment and values.