President Donald J. Trump’s top advisers are planning to significantly simplify and streamline the official platform of the Republican Party, as outlined in a memo reviewed by The New York Times. The memo, signed by Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles, emphasized the need for clear, concise, and easily understandable policy commitments to the American people.
The efforts to reduce the platform size aim to avoid providing ammunition for opponents to distort the party’s stance. The memo highlighted the importance of presenting a streamlined platform aligned with President Trump’s vision for America’s future.
The memo was circulated ahead of the Republican Party’s upcoming gathering in Milwaukee, where the platform committee will convene to vote on the platform before the national convention to select a presidential nominee.
The decision to significantly reduce the platform size, with the previous one from 2016 running nearly 60 pages, may lead to disagreements among conservatives and activists who have been involved in crafting the platform. Anti-abortion activists, in particular, are gearing up for potential conflicts over any changes that could impact Mr. Trump’s stance on the issue.
To prevent public disputes, the party plans to conduct the platform committee meetings behind closed doors, departing from past practices of televised meetings. The aim is to maintain clarity and straightforwardness in the platform objectives without external influences.
The memo underscores the platform’s role as a tool to contrast with President Biden in the upcoming 2024 race, rather than setting long-term party goals. It emphasizes the need for clarity in presenting the choice between President Trump’s leadership and that of the Democrats to the voters.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has advocated for a concise platform that reflects President Trump’s priorities. While some view the platform as a strategic document for the immediate future, others see it as a vision statement guiding the party’s direction for years to come.
In the previous election, Mr. Trump opted to readopt the 2016 platform due to the pandemic, bypassing a platform debate. The 2016 platform covered a wide range of issues, reflecting the party’s stance on various matters.
Maggie Haberman contributed reporting.
