Reince Priebus said the committee would take 48 hours to reevaluate its election strategy, according to a Republican operative briefed on the conversation. | Getty RNC lawyers look at options for replacing Trump

The Republican National Committee is taking the weekend to reevaluate its strategy while lawyers examine the legal hurdles to replacing Donald Trump with another nominee, according to Republicans in touch with the committee.

On Friday night, RNC chair Reince Priebus told an aggrieved state party chair that he realized a public dumping of Trump by the party would sink the nominee’s remaining chances. He said the committee would take 48 hours to reevaluate its election strategy, according to a Republican operative briefed on the conversation.


The RNC saw the departure of two low-level field staffers in the states on Friday night and is expecting more, according to the operative.

Meanwhile, the RNC has lawyers examining the possibility of putting forth another nominee one month from Election Day, with ballots already printed and early voting in progress in some states, according to two other Republicans. “RNC has an army of lawyers right now looking at Rule 9 and ballot questions,” said one, a Republican strategist. The RNC’s Rule 9 pertains to filling vacant nominations.

But the lawyers have concluded that Trump would have to cooperate in any attempt to replace him, said another Republican in touch with the committee. “The fact remains that he can only be replaced if he quits or dies. And he’s declared today he’s not planning on doing either.”

Even as they consider eleventh-hour options, party officials are urging local operatives to remain calm and see if Trump can weather the storm.

Matt Pinnell, the RNC's state party director, has been fielding calls from chairmen around the country and urging them to stay the course, at least for now.

Steve House, the Colorado GOP chairman, texted Pinnell on Saturday morning with questions, including one how to potentially replace a nominee once his name has been printed on ballots that are about to be sent out.

"I asked if we should change course in any way regarding resources, strategy and the answer was, 'No'," House said. "So we're just going to keep doing what we're doing and see what happens in the next 24 hours, especially with the debate."

RNC spokesman Sean Spicer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Eli Stokols contributed to this report.