Multiple sources have now informed Bigger Truth that “America First” GOP insurgents linked to Mike Flynn from 8 states are conspiring to suspend the rules at the upcoming national convention in Milwaukee.
If the rules are not suspended, the convention would proceed in an orderly manner according to the rules set forth by the 112-member Rules Committee and all convention delegates would be bound to vote according to the outcome of each state’s primary election or caucus, making nominating President Trump a mere formality.
To suspend the rules, majorities from 8 states must submit a motion in writing prior to the convention. That would trigger a process of submitting proposed rule changes then debating and voting. If two thirds of the delegates approve the changes then they take effect.
The sources spoke to Bigger Truth on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. One source expressed fear of being removed as a national delegate. Members of that state party have removed county and state delegates in the past for running afoul of the “America First” insurgents. The sources said they had spoken directly to leaders of their delegations about these plans.
This is in line with previous reporting, podcasts and columns from Bigger Truth going back three months.
The specific intended rule changes are unknown and may depend on the outcome of the Rules Committee meetings that will occur in the days before the convention.
While the intended purpose of suspending the rules is also unknown, it is clear that suspending the rules puts Trump’s nomination in jeopardy. It would certainly create chaos and confusion on the convention floor and at best would create unsavory headlines for the party.
The insurgents all claim to support President Trump, and there are numerous claims from “America First” insurgents on social media that the “establishment” will suspend the rules to nominate Nikki Haley, RNC members Bigger Truth has spoken with deny that there is any known establishment push to do so.
In 2016, Wisconsin-native Reince Priebus tried to get his friend and Wisconsin Rep Paul Ryan nominated in Trump’s place. Bigger Truth reported how Oregon RNC Committeeman Solomon Yue led a motion to adopt Robert’s Rules as the convention rules, which stopped that attempt.
In 2020, Texas Senator Ted Cruz led an effort to suspend the rules to adopt a “Vote Your Conscience” amendment, which would have unbound delegates. Cruz argued that Trump could not be elected in 2020. That effort failed to assemble support from the requisite 8 states.
This year, it appears the effort to suspend the rules is being led by those who call themselves “America First” and “grassroots,” according to the sources with direct knowledge.
Uncertainty regarding President Trump’s sentencing and other factors preceding the convention abound. Even if Trump is sentenced to prison and unable to attend, he will still be eligible to be nominated and a rule suspension would be necessary to nominate another candidate.
This further underscores the danger in attempting to suspend the rules.
The individuals who are leading the effort in multiple states to have ties to Mike Flynn, Patrick Byrne, and The America Project. On April 22, close Flynn associate Roger Stone posted on X that he supported a run by Flynn for President as a “contingency plan:”
Flynn indicated his own presidential ambitions in this not-so-subtle post:
And as reported in the recent Members Only podcast, Flynn’s son, Michael Flynn Jr., said on May 30 that he was really hoping that his father would be Vice President. There is no indication that Flynn is on any of the lists of people Trump is considering as a potential running mate.
One thing is certain: an orderly and rules-based nomination would be the very best outcome for President Trump, and anyone who supports suspending the rules is putting Trump’s nomination in peril.
EXCLUSIVE: GOP "America First" insurgents in 8 states plan to suspend rules at the national convention, proving they do not support Trump