Many took the move as a sign President Trump will be running for office. Trump memorably called out then Fox News' Chris Wallace (now unhappily on failing CNN+ and complaining about poor ratings) for blocking debate on the now confirmed Hunter Biden Laptop, while shutting down any discourse on Biden's corruption but allowing questions about the Trump family's business dealings.
According to the resolution, GOP presidential candidates will have to sign a written pledge that they will partake just in debates sanctioned by the party, or else they will be suspended from the party's approved debates.
“Debates are an important part of the democratic process, and the RNC is committed to free and fair debates. The Commission on Presidential Debates is biased and has refused to enact simple and common-sense reforms to help ensure fair debates including hosting debates before voting begins and selecting moderators who have never worked for candidates on the debate stage," Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the RNC, announced in a statement.
WATCH: "WE WILL OPEN YOU UP LIKE A SOFT PEANUT"
Republicans have had qualms with the commission for years, though tensions started to escalate after the 2020 presidential debates. Several months ago, the RNC addressed a letter to the commission threatening to block its nominees from participating in debates sponsored by the commission. In Thursday's vote, the party did exactly that.
WATCH: HOW WAS JURY SELECTION HANDLED IN TRUMP'S TRIAL?
“Any presidential primary candidate who does not agree in writing, or who participates in any debate that is not a sanctioned debate, shall not be eligible to participate in any further sanctioned debates," the resolution stated, per the Wall Street Journal.
A LOOK INSIDE DEMOCRATS' PLAN TO WIN BACK THE HOUSE WITH RECORD INVESTMENT
The RNC announced Thursday's vote followed a "year-long process" and lambasted the commission for being "biased." In its prior letter to the commission, the party issued a series of demands, such as a stronger code of conduct for moderating debates, raised transparency, and a commitment to hold at least one debate before early voting. The party claimed that the commission was "unwilling" to make the changes the RNC requested.
"To be clear: we are not walking away from debates. We are walking away from the CPD," the party stressed. "The Republican Party deserves better. The American people deserve better."
DEMS' LAST-MINUTE BID TO SAVE SEATS AMID SOUTHERN BORDER TURMOIL!
The RNC intends to create a working group to develop plans for party-sanctioned debates, the Wall Street Journal reported.
A spokesperson from the commission has not replied to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner. The commission was created in 1987 and has facilitated general election presidential debates ever since its formation.
FOX NEWS COLUMNIST TEARS APART MTG'S "RECKLESS AGENDA"
Throughout the 2020 presidential election cycle, the commission selected journalist Steve Scully, who served as an intern to Joe Biden in college, to moderate a debate until he got into trouble for apparently lying regarding his Twitter account being hacked, and a majority of its board members made statements "publicly disparaging the Republican-nominee," according to the party.
The party further ripped the commission for hosting the debates after 26 states had started early voting and accused it of making "unilateral" changes to the debate formats. The commission made the second 2020 debate virtual after Donald Trump caught COVID-19. Trump ultimately withdrew, and the second debate fell through.
Discover alternative ideas that will make you think
Engage in mind bending debate
Earn points, rise in rank, have fun
