Los Angeles Times

Tensions flare as California GOP gives Trump a boost by overhauling state primary rules

Supporters of former President Donald Trump gather outside of a California GOP executive committee meeting to protest a change in the state's delegation-allocation rules, at the Marriott Hotel on Saturday, July 29, 2023, in Irvine, California.

In a move backed by former President Trump’s campaign, the California Republican Party on Saturday changed its rules for allocating delegates in the state’s presidential primary — a shake-up that could discourage other GOP candidates from campaigning here and make the state less competitive in next year’s nominating contest.

Tensions flared as the California GOP’s executive committee approved the plan, with some pro-Trump demonstrators denouncing the move, police getting called and two factions nearly coming to fisticuffs.

A group of demonstrators with Trump shirts, hats and banners, one holding a sign reading, "Let all delegates vote."

Although demonstrators argued that the state party leadership was trying to undermine the former president, the decision by the California GOP’s executive committee reflects a concerted effort by the Trump campaign to mold state party rules across the country to benefit his candidacy.

The Michigan Republican Party also recently changed its rules for awarding delegates in a way that’s expected to benefit Trump. Republicans in Idaho, Nevada,

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