Chaos grips GOP convention floor as delegates storm out over failed 'Never Trump' effort
Delegates opposed to Donald Trump erupted in anger after the chair of the convention found "insufficient support" for a vote that would allow Republican delegates to become "unbound," which would permit them to vote against Trump.
Earlier in the day, it appeared as though the state delegations attempting to unbind the delegates had the support necessary to force a roll call vote, but several state delegations backed out at the last minute.
As the chair announced the failure of the rules vote push, many delegates chanted "roll call vote," while pro-trump delegates chanted "USA."
Delegates from states like Utah and Virginia both sought recognition from the chair to call for a vote, but it was repeatedly rejected.
"I have never in all my life, certainly in six years in the United States Senate, prior to that as a lifelong Republican, never seen anything like this," Sen. Mike Lee, a Utah delegate who has criticized the real-estate magnate for what he characterizes as dirty campaign tactics.
"There is no precedent for this in parliamentary procedure. There is no precedent for this in the rules of the Republican National Convention. We are now in uncharted territory. Somebody owes us an explanation. I have never seen the chair abandoned like that. They vacated the stage entirely."
Former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who has been lobbying to unbind the delegate in Cleveland all week, threw his convention badge on the ground in protest after the measure failed.
Josh Barro contributed reporting from Cleveland.