The Vermont Republican Party finds itself in a precarious position following former President Donald Trump’s conviction as a felon, a situation that clashes with the party’s own regulations. Last week, Trump was convicted on all 34 felony charges related to a scheme intended to influence the 2016 election via a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has denied the affair. According to the Vermont Republican Party’s rules, which have been in place for nearly a decade, the organization is prohibited from supporting or promoting any candidate for elective office who is a convicted felon. This rule, outlined under section 16 of the party’s regulations, presents a unique challenge given Trump’s recent legal troubles and his status within the party.
NBC News highlighted that while this prohibition has been longstanding, a 2022 amendment to the rules allows the executive committee the possibility of exempting a candidate from this ban “under extenuating circumstances” through a majority vote. This modification suggests there could be some room for maneuver should the party choose to back Trump despite his convictions.
The Democratic National Committee has seized on this dilemma, with Deputy Communications Director Abhi Rahman commenting on the situation. “We look forward to the Vermont Republican Party supporting Joe Biden this November — the only candidate with a path to 270 that has not been convicted of a felony,” Rahman told NBC News.
As Trump’s legal and political saga continues to unfold, the Vermont GOP must navigate these troubled waters, balancing the strictures of their own rules with the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of political loyalty and party strategy. This scenario puts the party at a crossroads, testing its principles against the pragmatic realities of supporting a major figure in the Republican Party who now carries the weight of felony convictions.