Today, the Republican National Committee elected long-time Donald Trump loyalist Joe Gruters as its new national chair. The incoming chair has some things in common with Trump: They’re both Florida men pushing extreme policies, and they’ve both been credibly accused of sexual assault.

In response, Deputy Rapid Response Director Jaelin O’Halloran released the following statement:

“Incoming RNC Chair Joe Gruters is just who Donald Trump would want for the position: a parrot for his own extremist agenda. Gruters is bringing his worst ideas from Florida to the national stage — from ripping away health care to banning abortion — along with his wacky and dangerous conspiracy theories. With a past riddled with sexual assault allegations and as the architect of Florida’s six-week abortion ban, Gruters and Trump will have a lot to bond over while they turn the Republican Party into even more of a personal propaganda machine for Trump.”

Trump’s relationship with Gruters dates back to 2012, and grew when he became a champion for Trump during the 2016 and 2020 election cycles as the Trump Campaign Chairman for Florida. Like a good Trump lackey, Gruters lied about the results of the 2020 election. 

Gruters has deep roots in Florida Republican politics, with his time as Florida Republican Chair marked by sexual harassment allegations.

Gruters has extreme beliefs on everything from abortion to health care to immigration. He has made banning abortion without exceptions for rape or incest a top priority and co-introduced Florida’s six-week abortion ban. Gruters consistently advocates for radical policies like ripping away affordable health care from Americans and using state law enforcement to expand immigration enforcement. Like many others in Trump’s circle, Gruters is also deeply steeped in conspiracy theories and has spread lies about the FBI.

It should come as no surprise that Trump gave Gruters a “complete and total endorsement” in the run-up to the RNC chair election — handpicking his next mouthpiece for the Republican Party.