RNC Rules Fight Begins With Plan to Lock In Donald Trump

In an attempt to block the "Stop Trump" movement that aimed to upend the Republican National Convention, delegates began circulating a draft rule that would effectively lock-in Donald Trump as the GOP nominee.

Anti-Trump forces have talked up rules that could let delegates vote against Trump, regardless of the primary results. But the first proposed rule for this year's convention in Cleveland, obtained by MSNBC, proposes to freeze 2012 rules so that no new amendments can take effect until after this year's convention.

If the proposal passes, it guarantees that if amendments designed to stop Trump, such as a "conscience clause" that would function as a delegate escape hatch, are also passed, they would only go into effect at "the 2020 National Convention."

That sentiment could be a compelling argument for delegates heading to Cleveland. Even Trump's detractors within the RNC have said it would be unfair to change the rules in the middle of the game.

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