Hutchinson's team had asked to speak with the RNC about changing the loyalty pledge, which would require the former governor to support Trump if he becomes the nominee. The RNC officials declined to amend their debate requirements, stating they are "not dealing with hypotheticals" like the former President's potential convictions. Hutchinson has been outspoken on both of Trump's indictments and has criticized the RNC's loyalty pledge for potentially requiring him to support a convicted felon as the nominee. The former governor also called for Trump to withdraw from the race because of his legal entanglements.
"The [GOP] should clarify that there is no pledge to support a nominee if they are found guilty of espionage or a serious felony," Hutchinson wrote in a tweet on June 7. "Donald Trump is the target of an ongoing criminal investigation, and he should step aside & put the good of the country above his candidacy."
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June 18, 2023
Trump pleaded not guilty to the 37 charges on Tuesday at a federal courthouse in Miami, Florida, for allegedly mishandling classified documents. The former President was indicted in Special Counsel Jack Smith's documents probe, where he was charged with 31 counts of alleged violation of the Espionage Act and several others, including obstruction and making false statements.
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"I'm not going to vote for him if he's a convicted felon," Hutchinson told Politico. "I'm not going to vote for him if he's convicted of espionage, and I'm not going to vote for him if he's [convicted of] other serious crimes. And I'm not going to support him."
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The RNC senior advisor Richard Walters told the DCNF in a statement, " Individuals seeking the Republican nomination for President are being asked to respect the decision of Republican Primary voters and support the eventual nominee they pick to beat Biden. Candidates who are complaining about this to the press should seriously reconsider their priorities and whether they should even be running."
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The Real Clear Politics (RCP) average for a 2024 national Republican primary, based on polls conducted between May 19 to June 16, indicates that Hutchinson has 0.7% support. Hutchinson did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation's request for comment.
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