EXCLUSIVE: College Republicans of America endorses Trump for president

"This endorsement marks a significant deviation from the organization's customary stance of neutrality in primary endorsements and is directly influenced by the recent moves to pull President Trump off the ballot in Maine and Colorado – decisions College Republicans view as an affront to democratic principles," a press release from the group, released ahead of Wednesday’s Republican Primary Caucus in Iowa, the first event of the election season, states.

The organization said the decision to endorse a candidate for the primary, "typically a rare occurrence in GOP circles, underscores the exceptional nature of this electoral cycle and President Trump's dominant influence within the Party."

President of College Republicans Will Donahue said in a statement, "The recent actions to disqualify President Trump from the ballot are not just an attack on a candidate but an attack on each and every voter in America. Our endorsement is a stand against such undemocratic moves and a reflection of our unwavering commitment to fair and free elections."

The organization cited Trump’s strong polling numbers, with Trump holding 66 percent of the support among potential GOP primary voters, according to the Morning Consult GOP primary tracker at the time of the press release. This number is now 65 percent, with Trump still holding a commanding lead over his next-highest opponent, Ron DeSantis.

"In light of President Trump's commanding lead in the polls, we believe this primary is effectively a formality—a ceremonial confirmation of his candidacy rather than a competitive race," Donahue added.

Donahue said that "Given the 55-point lead over his nearest rivals, our decision to endorse President Trump is both a reflection of his overwhelming support within the GOP and a pragmatic step towards focusing our resources more effectively."

"However, our endorsement goes beyond party lines; it's about preserving the sanctity of our electoral process and standing up against actions that undermine the democratic choices of the American people. This endorsement is a testament to our commitment to pragmatic conservatism and represents our members' desire to support a leader who embodies the values and policies that will best serve our nation."

The College Republicans of America is the largest College Republican organization in the United States, giving students the training and resources to enable them to "advocate for conservative principles, support Republican candidates, effect change in our communities, conserve our environment, secure employment, and shape public policy."

Iowa's GOP caucus will take place on Monday, marking the first state in the cycle to select its desired Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election. New Hampshire's primary election, the first primary election in the cycle, will take place on January 23, just over a week after Iowa's GOP caucus.