'Behind closed doors': Republicans break with precedent to pass policy platform in secret

The Republican Party intends to pass its policy platform "behind closed doors" this year, according to a new report.

Reporters and spectators will be barred from viewing party platform committee proceedings in Milwaukee during the Republican National Convention, Semafor reported Tuesday.

This represents a break from a decades-long precedent, according to the report.

"C-SPAN, which has previously broadcast the committee’s work, was never offered access this year," writes reporter David Weigel, "and told that the three-day meeting will be closed to the press."

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An RNC spokesperson told Semafor that "guest passes" would be available but internal emails obtained by the outlet show activists who requested them were told Platform Committee meetings “are only open to members of that particular committee."

"The lack of transparency is unwelcome," said RNC committeeman Oscar Brock told the news outlet. "When people operate behind closed doors, you always have to wonder what the outcome is going to be."

Last month, it was reported that Ed Martin, a 2020 election conspiracy theorist, Jan. 6 rioter, and top Missouri Republican, would serve as the committee's policy director.

A recent report revealed that former President Donald Trump's team is planning to dramatically scale back the Republican Party platform "to ensure our policy commitments to the American people are clear, concise and easily digestible."

The Democratic National Convention told Semafor it will ask for citizen input on a new DNC portal ahead of time.

“We’ll be able to hear from more Americans and receive more input than ever before as we chart the road to the 2024 Democratic National Convention,” DNC chairman Jaime Harrison told Semafor in a statement.

“We’ll build a platform that is rooted in the collective experience of Americans and mobilize people to vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in November.”