Party takeover: Trump installs top ally and daughter-in-law to steer Republican National Committee

Join Fox News for access to this content Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account - free of charge. Please enter a valid email address. By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News' Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. To access the content, check your email and follow the instructions provided. Having trouble? Click here.

HOUSTON - The Republican Party is once again completely under the thumb of former President Donald Trump.

The former president's picks to serve as chair and co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) – Trump ally and North Carolina GOP chair Michael Whatley and daughter-in-law Lara Trump – were unanimously confirmed on Friday by voice votes as the RNC held a recently planned general session.

"Over the next eight months, the RNC will work hand in glove with President Trump," Whatley declared in his acceptance speech.

And Lara Trump, speaking minutes later, emphasized that "we have one goal. The goal on November 5th is to win. And as my father-in-law says, bigly."

WHO IS NEW TRUMP-BACKED RNC CHAIR MICHAEL WHATLEY?

Whatley, who was the RNC's general counsel, succeeded longtime chair Ronna McDaniel, whom Trump picked to steer the national party committee after he won the White House in 2016. Her departure on Friday came after Trump earlier this year repeatedly urged changes at the committee – after lackluster fundraising last year and his opposition to the RNC's presidential primary debates – which essentially pushed McDaniel out the door.

"The state of our party is strong," McDaniel declared in her departure speech.

And pointing to the RNC's fundraising rebound in January and February,