DUSHANBE, July 20, 2016, Asia-Plus -- Donald Trump has formally been nominated as 2016 presidential candidate.

Crossing the threshold of 1,237 votes, Trump officially became the Republican Party’s nominee for president, as the stage in Cleveland was illuminated with a message proclaiming: “Over the Top”.

The Guardian reports Trump won with 1,725 delegates, followed by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas with 475 delegates, Ohio Governor John Kasich with 120 and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida with 114. Three other candidates emerged with a total of 12 delegates.

After the presidential nominating vote, the convention by voice vote nominated Indiana Governor Mike Pence, 57, Trump''s choice for his vice presidential running mate.

Reuters is reporting that Trump could seek a new law to purge the government of Obama appointees.

If he wins the presidency, Mr. Trump would seek to purge the federal government of officials appointed by President Barack Obama and could ask Congress to pass legislation making it easier to fire public workers, Trump ally, Chris Christie, said on Tuesday.

Chris Christie, who is governor of New Jersey and leads Trump''s White House transition team, said the campaign was drawing up a list of federal government employees to fire if Trump defeats Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the November 8 presidential election.

Some international experts note that Trump''s populist positions in opposition to illegal immigration, various free trade agreements that he believes are unfair, and most military interventionism have earned him particular support among blue-collar voters and voters without college degrees.  Many of his remarks have been highly controversial and have helped his campaign garner extensive coverage by the mainstream media.