Major Rule Changes at US Republican Convention Can Look Like Manipulation

Attempts to change the rules governing the US Republican party’s presidential nominating process at the upcoming national convention could be seen as an attempt to control future election outcomes, US Senator and Republican party leader John Thune told Sputnik.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Tuesday, the New York Times reported that Republican activists, upset at the likely nomination of outsider candidate Donald Trump, may attempt to push rules changes at the upcoming Republican presidential nominating convention in Ohio.

"There may be efforts made by groups or individuals to try and get rules and changes incorporated," Thune said on Wednesday, adding that major changes to the nomination process "will look like somebody is trying to manipulate it."

The senator noted, however, that he would be "surprised" if there are new rules that dramatically alter current procedures.

"In the past, anytime that people try and manipulate the rules to get a certain outcome, it usually backfires on them," Thune concluded.

During the Republican National Convention taking place this July in Ohio, participants will take part in crafting a platform of issues for the party and deciding the rules governing the next Republican convention.

Prior to becoming the party’s presumptive presidential nominee, Republican candidate Donald Trump alleged that the rules governing the nominating process were "rigged" to put outsider candidates like himself at a disadvantage.