The Republican 好色tv Convention's second day is in full swing 鈥 now with Donald Trump officially as its presidential nominee and U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio as his running mate.
Trump energized the crowd Monday night by entering the arena with a bandage on his right ear after being injured during an assassination attempt Saturday. Speakers Tuesday have mentioned what they described as the former president鈥檚 strength and resilience after the shooting at his rally in Pennsylvania.
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Mother of crime victim brings RNC focus to NY district attorney Alvin Bragg
Madeline Brame, whose veteran son was stabbed to death in Harlem in 2018, brought the crowd鈥檚 focus Tuesday night to one of right鈥檚 biggest boogeymen: New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Brame has publicly criticized Bragg for being soft on crime, including in the case of her son鈥檚 alleged killer. The crowd responded with roaring applause as Bragg is one of the officials involved in Trump鈥檚 various legal battles. 鈥淭hey betrayed us and stab us in the back,鈥 Brame said about Democrats. 鈥淭rump was right when he said they鈥檙e after us, he鈥檚 just standing in the way.鈥
Family members of victims of fentanyl overdose make forceful case for Trump
As part of the convention鈥檚 鈥楳ake America Safe Again鈥 session, family members of those who have lost loved ones to fentanyl overdose appeared back-to-back on the RNC stage to make the forceful and at time emotional case for why Trump would fix the epidemic.
Michael Morin, the brother of a woman who was killed by a man who was allegedly in the country illegally, said that Trump would take more action on the drug crisis than Biden and Harris have in the past three and a half years. Another speaker, Anne Funder, lost her 15-year-old son Austin to an overdose two years ago. As she got choked up on stage, the crowd began to chat 鈥淛oe must go!鈥 to which she responded, 鈥淵es, he must.鈥
Pennsylvania delegate recalls speaking to Trump minutes before shooting
Tom King, a Pennsylvania delegate from Butler, Pennsylvania, said he spoke to Trump at the rally 10 minutes before the shooting erupted on Saturday. He says he sat about 20 feet in front of Corey Comperatore, the former fire chief who was killed.
鈥淚t was a great day to see the president,鈥 said King, who is general counsel for the Pennsylvania Republican Party. 鈥淗e was in a great mood. He was energetic, but he was very serious about what we need to do in Pennsylvania to win the election.鈥 When an AP reporter asked him to specify what he said needed to be done in Pennsylvania, King said, 鈥淚 won鈥檛 say what he said.鈥
鈥淲e pledged to do everything we could to help him,鈥 he said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a great guy.鈥
Republicans make unfounded claims on illegal immigration central to their platform
The second night of the Republican 好色tv Convention has centered on issues of crime and immigration, with many speakers echoing unfounded claims that Democrats intentionally want to replace Americans through illegal immigration, a claim that has moved from the fringes of political conversation to a consistent fear among the GOP base.
鈥淲e stand for strong borders and believe that our nation must have a shared civic culture and we oppose any immigration that stands apart or in contrast to our American values,鈥 Gov. DeSantis said during his speech.
鈥淲e are facing an invasion on our southern border. Not figuratively, a literal invasion,鈥 Sen. Cruz contended during his remarks. 鈥淓very day Americans are dying. Murdered, assaulted, raped by illegal immigrants that the Democrats have released,鈥 he continued.
And Rep. Steve Scalise, the GOP House majority leader, said that 鈥淏iden and Harris want illegals to vote now that they鈥檝e opened up the border.鈥
DeSantis focuses on attacking Democrats鈥 policies
Tonight is the first time Florida Gov. DeSantis has spoken publicly in support of Trump following the GOP primary.
But he spent most of his speech criticizing Democrats鈥 policies on immigration, education and gender identity. DeSantis said the country needs to vote out President Biden saying he has failed as a leader. 鈥淚 am alarmed that the current president of the United States lacks the capability to discharge the duties of his office,鈥 he said.
鈥淒onald Trump stands in their way and he stands up for America. Donald Trump has been demonized. He鈥檚 been sued. He鈥檚 been prosecuted and he nearly lost his life,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e cannot let him down.鈥
US Representative claims he was 鈥榓ssaulted鈥 at Milwaukee hotel
Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin said Tuesday that he was the victim of 鈥減olitical violence鈥 after an altercation with an activist.
Van Orden posted on X that he was 鈥榓ssaulted鈥 while standing in line at a Milwaukee hotel by what appeared to be a member of what he called 鈥渢he pro-Hamas group CODEPINK.鈥
CODEPINK describes itself as a feminist organization working to end U.S. warfare and imperialism. It posted a video claiming that Van Orden shoved one of its members as the group was trying to get into a Republican luncheon.
The Milwaukee Police Department said in a statement that a 24-year-old woman was arrested in the same block as the hotel for battering a victim around 11:07 a.m. Tuesday. The statement said the victim sustained minor injuries and refused medical attention at the scene. The statement did not identify the woman or the victim.
鈥淭his appears to be an incident of political violence and I will never tolerate this,鈥 Van Orden said in his post. 鈥淩egardless of the severity of the violence, political violence is political violence.鈥 He called for people 鈥渨ho choose the path of political violence鈥 to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
鈥淣othing will change until these people are held accountable,鈥 he said.
Van Orden, a first-term representative, has a history of public conflicts. He cursed at high school-aged Senate pages during a late-night tour of the U.S. Capitol in 2023 and threatened a staffer at a Wisconsin library in 2021 over a gay pride display.
Welcomed with cheers and boos, Haley throws 鈥榮trong endorsement鈥 behind Trump
Trump鈥檚 last rival standing for the GOP nomination made clear where she stands now.
鈥淒onald Trump has my strong endorsement, period,鈥 former South Carolina governor and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley said. Her words were greeted with an uproar of applause, a stark contrast to moments earlier when she took the stage to a mix of cheers and boos.
Explaining Trump鈥檚 鈥済racious invitation鈥 that she speak, she said, 鈥淚 haven鈥檛 always agreed with Trump but we agree more often than we disagree.鈥
Joking that she happens to know 鈥渁 few people鈥 who don鈥檛 agree with Trump and his campaign, Haley tried to appeal to the millions of Republicans who wanted her, not Trump, as the GOP nominee for president. 鈥淢y message to them is simple: You don鈥檛 have to agree with Trump 100% of the time to vote for him,鈥 Haley said.
Cruz鈥檚 appearance showcases the Republican effort to project unity
Sen. Ted Cruz started his speech by saying 鈥淕od Bless Donald J. Trump鈥 and then went on to talk about his assassination attempt at a rally on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania.
鈥淟et me start by giving thanks to God almighty for protecting Donald Trump and for turning his head on Saturday as the shot was fired.鈥
The last time Cruz spoke at the Republican 好色tv Convention in 2016, he was booed while battling Trump for the GOP nomination for president. Since then, the two men have had a contentious and publicly tense relationship, exchanging personal insults. But Cruz鈥檚 appearance depicts an effort by Republicans to show a united front after Saturday鈥檚 rally shooting.
Trump enters to thunderous applause
The Republican presidential nominee made another grand entrance for the prime time hours at the Republican 好色tv Convention. He was preceded by his newly picked vice presidential candidate JD Vance.
Trump was introduced to roaring delegates who had just spent a few minutes dancing to the Village People鈥檚 鈥淵MCA鈥 along with a video montage of Trump dancing at his rallies.
Trump then walked in wearing a bandage over his right ear like he had the day before.
Surrounded by security, the candidate hugged the wall as he walked toward the family box, occasionally pumping his fist and applauding.
Speaker Johnson paints bleak picture of life under a Democrat government
House Speaker Mike Johnson has called for toning down political rhetoric after the attempted assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
In his RNC speech, Johnson perhaps veered from that standard a bit, framing the November elections as a stark, almost existential choice for voters.
After promising a 鈥渢horough鈥 House investigation of the attempt on Trump鈥檚 life, Johnson said the nation has 鈥渃ome to a moment in America where the basic things that we once took for granted are being openly challenged like never before.鈥
He said the battle is not 鈥渏ust between two opposing political parties鈥 but instead, 鈥淲e鈥檙e now in the midst of a struggle between two completely different visions of who we are as Americans, and what our country will be.鈥
Some Republicans have since Saturday blamed President Joe and Democrats for characterizing Trump as a 鈥渢hreat to democracy鈥 with authoritarian leanings.
Johnson suggested in his convention speech that Democratic victories in November were the real threat: 鈥淲e have no guarantee that this grand experiment in self-governance can endure unless we respond to the call.鈥
Scalise lauds Trump as 鈥榗ourageous鈥 and 鈥榗ompassionate鈥
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise spent most of his RNC speech stirring delegates with an aggressive take down of President Biden鈥檚 record.
But the convention hall quieted when Scalise got to his concluding remarks recalling when he narrowly escaped an assassin鈥檚 bullets just as Donald Trump did Saturday in Wisconsin.
鈥淢any of you know I was a survivor of a politically motivated shooting in 2017,鈥 the Louisiana Republican said. 鈥淣ot many know that while I was fighting for my life, Donald Trump was one of the first to come to console my family at the hospital. That鈥檚 the kind of leader he is.鈥
Trump is known for his bombastic, unapologetically aggressive approach to politics. But Scalise said his personal interactions with Trump showed a different version of the former president and Republican nominee: 鈥淐ourageous under fire, compassionate toward others.鈥
New details emerge on police shooting near convention center
Five Ohio police officers in Wisconsin for the Republican 好色tv Convention near the convention, killing him, Milwaukee鈥檚 police chief said.
The man who police shot had a knife in each hand and refused police commands, Milwaukee Chief Jeffrey Norman said at a news conference. Two knives were recovered from the scene, the chief said.
鈥淪omeone鈥檚 life was in danger,鈥 Norman said. 鈥淭hese officers, who were not from this area, took it upon themselves to act and save someone鈥檚 life today.鈥
The shooting fueled anger from residents who questioned why out-of-state officers were in their neighborhood located about a mile from the convention site.
JD Vance wants to highlight 鈥榯he contrast鈥 between himself and Harris
Vice presidential nominee JD Vance said he wants to debate Vice President Kamala Harris 鈥渂ecause it鈥檚 important for the American people to see the contrast.鈥
He contrasted Democratic infighting over whether Biden should step aside with unity behind Trump at the Republican convention.
鈥淭his party out here is really united behind President Trump,鈥 Vance said in an interview with NewsMax from inside the arena. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a really good feeling. And I think that that momentum is something you can almost reach out to touch, it鈥檚 so powerful.鈥
Vance said his phone blew up with calls as soon as Trump offered him the job, and he missed a call from an unidentified number that turned out to be Harris. He said he spoke to Harris Tuesday and 鈥渟he was very gracious, very cordial.鈥 He said he did not save the voicemail message from Harris.
Police arrest man with AK-47 outside RNC
A man armed with an AK-47 pistol and wearing a ski mask was taken into custody Monday near the Fiserv Forum, where the Republican 好色tv Convention is being held.
A federal law enforcement official said the 21-year-old was arrested after encountering U.S. Capitol Police and Homeland Security Investigations agents.
The officers approached the man, who was carrying a tactical backpack and wearing a mask, because he appeared to be acting suspiciously, the official said. Police found the weapon in his backpack, the official said.
The official was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
DeSantis and Haley fundraise off of RNC speeches
He left the GOP primary race in January, but a political action group backing Ron DeSantis is dialing for dollars 鈥 for the Florida governor 鈥 ahead of his speech at the RNC.
RON PAC blasted out a text to a list formerly managed by DeSantis鈥 shuttered presidential bid, encouraging people to watch his speech and including a fundraising link. A landing page sends clickers to contribution levels, the proceeds of which are flagged as benefitting 鈥淭rump 好色tv Committee JFC and RONPAC.鈥
Nikki Haley blasted out her own fundraising text. With a link to watch her upcoming speech, Haley鈥檚 former campaign text list also sent recipients to a page where donations 鈥渨ill benefit Stand For America PAC,鈥 the political action committee that supported her campaign. Haley鈥檚 message didn鈥檛 offer to split donations with Trump鈥檚 own fundraising apparatus.
Swing-state candidates take the stage
Their home areas will be critical to Republicans鈥 hopes of retaking the chamber this fall, but on Tuesday night, a slew of GOP Senate hopefuls are stumping both for themselves and the man at the top of their ticket, Trump.
Kari Lake of Arizona, Eric Hovde of Wisconsin and Bernie Moreno of Ohio are among those giving speeches in prime time at the RNC Tuesday night.
Other Republicans stumping for Senate seats in states critical to the presidential election are former Rep. Mike Rogers of Michigan and Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania.
Each hopeful is taking an opportunity to hit on issues key to their own candidacies at home, promote Trump and take swings at Biden.
Priebus, formerly fired by Trump via Twitter, stumps for his old boss
Reince Priebus was the Republican 好色tv Committee chairman whose campaign ground game helped elected Trump in 2016.
Then, while serving as White House chief of staff, Trump fired him via Twitter.
On Tuesday, Priebus was the Wisconsinite welcoming the party to his home state and lauding Trump.
鈥淲hen Donald Trump tells you what he will do on the campaign trail, look out, because he will deliver,鈥 Priebus said. 鈥淟et鈥檚 stand united 鈥 and let鈥檚 reelect Donald Trump president.鈥
Trump-Vance signage and T-shirts already on display
The official merchandise shops in the convention hall now offer Trump-Vance T-shirts reflecting the former president鈥檚 choice of running mate: Ohio Sen. JD Vance.
But rest assured that Trump merch still dominate the inventory 鈥 perhaps a reflection of the nominee delaying his decision on a vice presidential pick or Trump鈥檚 lifelong expertise in branding using his surname alone.
A day after Trump picked Vance as his running mate, Trump-Vance signs were already on display at the RNC.
Some stalls also were selling Trump-Vance T-shirts. But for attendees who want a button, those may be harder to find.
A volunteer at one shop said the $8 Trump-Vance buttons were already sold out Tuesday.
Harris-Vance debate comes into focus
and have had their first chat since the Ohio senator became the GOP vice presidential nominee, but the two sides are still working on terms for participating in a debate, according to three people familiar with the matter.
The people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal conversations about the debate, said there had been no progress at bridging the disagreements on the network partner and format, but they expect discussions to begin now that Trump has selected Vance, a first-term senator from Ohio.
Harris, in her congratulatory voicemail to Vance regarding his VP selection, urged him to accept a debate hosted by CBS News on either July 23 or Aug. 13, according to one of the people familiar with the discussions. Vance returned Harris鈥 call on Tuesday and the pair exchanged pleasantries, that person said. A second person said they shared a desire to debate but didn鈥檛 discuss specifics.
Last month鈥檚 debate disaster for President Biden, Saturday鈥檚 attempted assassination of Trump, and the ages of both men atop their respective tickets could raise the stakes for the running mates鈥 potential faceoff.
Trump鈥檚 many rivals fall in line
It鈥檚 former Trump rivals night in Milwaukee as Republicans convene for the second prime-time session of the nominating convention.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Amb. Nikki Haley and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz are expected to take the stage. It will be perhaps the clearest indication yet of how much Trump has consolidated the party and remade the GOP brand in his image.
DeSantis was once expected to be a fierce 2024 rival. He dropped out after the initial votes were cast in Iowa.
Haley held on for months, but never threatened Trump and waited until a few weeks ago to explicitly say she would vote for him. She was a late addition to the convention lineup, announced only after the Saturday assassination attempt against Trump.
Cruz was the second-place finisher in the 2016 primaries, and at the convention that summer he delivered a tense, almost bitter speech that drew boos from Trump delegates.
No such divisions are expected tonight.
Milwaukee鈥檚 tradition of beer on display near RNC
Just a few blocks away from the RNC is a Milwaukee neighborhood that has a long tradition of beer and was home to one of the city鈥檚 most iconic breweries.
At the heart of this area is the former Pabst Blue Ribbon brewery.
Pabst, aka PBR, known for its signature blue-ribbon logo, was established in Milwaukee in 1844 and brewed in the city for generations. (It is no longer made in Wisconsin.)
The area is now home to restaurants, apartments and yes, several breweries, and the history of beer-making in Milwaukee are displayed throughout.
Kennedy apologizes after conversation with Trump leaks
apologized Tuesday after a video was posted online showing part of a private phone call between the independent presidential candidate and Republican former President .
The video shows Kennedy listening on speakerphone as Trump shares disproven claims about childhood vaccines, an issue that has helped Kennedy amass a among people who reject the that the benefits of vaccines far outweigh the risk of rare complications. Trump also appears to pitch Kennedy on endorsing his campaign.
鈥淚 would love you to do so,鈥 Trump tells Kennedy. 鈥淎nd I think it鈥檒l be so good for you and so big for you. And we鈥檙e going to win.鈥
Police officers shoot and kill man near RNC
Officials said police officers shot and killed a person in Milwaukee on Tuesday about five blocks outside of the Republican 好色tv Convention鈥檚 outer security perimeter.
The Columbus, Ohio, Fraternal Order of Police issued a statement saying members of the Columbus department were involved in the shooting. Officers from multiple jurisdictions are in Milwaukee providing additional security for the convention.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson鈥檚 chief of staff, Jeff Fleming, said he didn鈥檛 know what led up to the shooting, though he and Alexi Worley, a spokesperson in the convention鈥檚 joint command center, said there was nothing to suggest the shooting was related to the convention itself. Worley referred additional questions to the Milwaukee Police Department.
That agency didn鈥檛 immediately respond to an email seeking more details. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner鈥檚 Office said an adult male was shot and killed. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.
Company debuts 鈥榝ight鈥 sneakers with Trump's image emblazoned on them
A company is now selling sneakers showing an image of with streaks of blood on his cheek and pumping his fist in the air after he was the target of an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.
The white high tops are being sold as 鈥淔IGHT FIGHT FIGHT High-Tops鈥 for $299 on a website run by CIC Ventures LLC, a company that Trump reported owning in his 2023 financial disclosure.
The company says the new shoes are limited edition with only 5,000 pairs available and are estimated to ship in September or October. It also said 10 pairs will be randomly autographed.
鈥淭hese limited edition high-tops, featuring Trump鈥檚 iconic image with his fist raised, honor his unwavering determination and bravery,鈥 it says. 鈥淲ith only 5,000 pairs available, each one is a true collector鈥檚 item. Show your support and patriotic pride with these exclusive sneakers, capturing a defining moment in history.鈥
CIC Ventures is the same company that debuted 鈥淣ever Surrender High-Tops,鈥 shiny gold sneakers with an American flag detail on the back, for $399.
The sale is another sign the former president鈥檚 allies intend to capitalize on how Trump reacted after the shooting at a Saturday rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump got back to his feet and pumped his fist toward the crowd, mouthing 鈥淔ight, fight.鈥
Cooling political rhetoric could be a challenging feat
In the wake of Saturday鈥檚 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, both sides have called for cooling down the nation鈥檚 divisive political rhetoric. But an event held by conservative group Moms for Liberty outside the RNC on Tuesday provided a glimpse of how hard that may be.
The group鈥檚 co-founders, Tiffany Justice and Tina Descovich, both spoke in stark terms about their mission, explaining that they see themselves in the midst of a struggle for their very identities and families鈥 health.
Justice recalled Trump raising his fist after the assassination attempt and calling 鈥渇ight, fight, fight.鈥
鈥淲e fight at Mom鈥檚 For Liberty. There are some people who told us, don鈥檛 use that word, 鈥楾iffany, you don鈥檛 want to be too volatile,鈥欌 Justice said.
Then she explained why she uses that word: 鈥淩adical Marxists are trying to steal our children鈥檚 future. We won鈥檛 let them do that.鈥
Descovich said the country was enmeshed in 鈥渢he battle between good and evil.鈥
鈥淭he enemy wants to come between us and our children,鈥 she said. 鈥淎nd once that happens, as you saw in the opening video, our families are lost.鈥
Moms For Liberty has backed conservative candidates in local school board races across the country and supports banning books from schools that they contend are inappropriate for children, including many with LGBTQ+ themes.
A visit with former British Prime Minister Johnson
Trump met with former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Milwaukee Tuesday on the second day of the Republican 好色tv Convention.
鈥淕reat to meet President Trump who is on top form after the shameful attempt on his life,鈥 Johnson posted on the social platform X along with a photo of the pair 鈥 Trump鈥檚 right ear still bandaged after an assassination attempt on Saturday.
Johnson said the two discussed Ukraine and said he has 鈥渘o doubt鈥 that Trump 鈥渨ill be strong and decisive in supporting that country and defending democracy.鈥
Trump posted a similar photo on his own social media site and called Johnson 鈥渁 very fine guy!鈥
Republicans that previously opposed Trump are now 鈥榬eading the room,鈥 delegate says
Karen Wyld, a delegate from South Carolina, said Tuesday that Republicans like J.D. Vance and Nikki Haley who once opposed Donald Trump but now support him are 鈥渞eading the room.鈥
鈥淩eading the American people,鈥 Wyld said. 鈥漈he American people love Trump. In the end, Trump loves this country and they know it.鈥
鈥淪he鈥檚 going to be conciliatory,鈥 Wyld said of Haley speaking during the Republican 好色tv Convention Tuesday night. 鈥淪he wants what鈥檚 best for the country and I think she鈥檚 doing what she has to do.鈥
Iran threat prompted more protection around Trump, but Saturday attack appears unrelated, officials say
A prompted moves by the U.S. Secret Service to boost protection around Donald Trump before Saturday鈥檚 attempted assassination of the former president, which appears unrelated to the original threat, according to two U.S. officials.
Upon learning of the threat, the Biden administration reached out to senior officials at the Secret Service to make them aware, the officials said, adding it was shared with the lead agent on Trump鈥檚 protection detail and the Trump campaign. That prompted the agency to surge resources and assets to protect Trump.
The officials spoke with The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence matters.
The additional resources did not prevent Saturday鈥檚 attack at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania that left Trump injured to the ear, killed one rallygoer and severely injured two more.
An anti-Trump bookseller sees a bump in sales of JD Vance鈥檚 memoir
The owners of Downtown Books, a second-hand bookstore just outside the Fiserv Forum鈥檚 footprint, aren鈥檛 shy about their disdain for Trump.
Their window display features a collection of anti-Trump texts, including memoirs by Michael Cohen and copies of the Mueller Report, along with a life-size cardboard cutout of Ronald Reagan, labeled: 鈥淎 Republican ex-president we can respect!鈥
Still, after Donald Trump announced U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio as his running mate Monday, the owners quickly gave the , 鈥淗illbilly Elegy,鈥 prominent placement in the front of the shop.
They said they鈥檇 sold several copies in the last 24 hours 鈥 more than in the past year combined.
鈥淚鈥檝e got tons of these lying in the basement,鈥 said Rebecca Pajot, who co-owns the store with her father. 鈥淚鈥檓 glad we can finally sell them.鈥
Vance鈥檚 memoir, describing his blue-collar childhood in Appalachia and the region鈥檚 transformation, propelled him to celebrity in 2016. It surged to number one on Amazon鈥檚 bestseller within hours of Trump鈥檚 VP announcement.
While Downtown Books previously listed used copies of the book for $8, Pajot said she was now considering raising the price, given the uptick in interest.
Georgia governor stops short of saying he'd consider Trump cabinet role if offered one
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp stopped well short Tuesday of saying he would consider a job in a Trump cabinet, should the outspoken Republican critic of the former president be asked to serve in one.
鈥淭hat would have to be a powerful conversation,鈥 Kemp said, during an interview with Politico during an event near the Fiserv Forum during the Republican Committee in Milwaukee.
The comments came after Kemp was candid in his disagreement with Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance鈥檚 suggestion Saturday that the assassination attempt on Trump was the result of Biden campaign rhetoric.
鈥淚 personally wouldn鈥檛 have made that comment,鈥 Kemp said.
Kemp might not be at the top of a second Trump administration鈥檚 list of prospective cabinet members. After the 2020 presidential election, Kemp dismissed Trump鈥檚 effort to change the outcome in his state, where Democrat Joe Biden won.
Kemp went on to beat Trump鈥檚 endorsed candidate in the 2022 primary against him.
Kemp also testified under subpoena for the Fulton County, Georgia, special grand jury that investigated attempts to alter the 2020 election results.
Florida delegate: 鈥楾hank God he鈥檚 still here'
Cindy Spray, a delegate from Florida, has been a supporter of Donald Trump from the start and says her feelings haven鈥檛 changed.
鈥淚 saw a movement about to take place,鈥 Spray said Tuesday outside the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. 鈥淭here were candidates there that some of my friends supported in that cycle of 2016, but I always felt something was different about President Trump. He鈥檚 just an incredible person.鈥
Spray said there was momentum behind Trump鈥檚 campaign this year even before the assassination attempt on Saturday. But seeing a wounded Trump speak Monday night at the Republican 好色tv Convention only added to the momentum and emotions.
鈥淚 did see the bandage and I think the whole center kind of looked to see that,鈥 Spray said. 鈥淵ou didn鈥檛 have to cry. You could feel the tears falling. You could feel them fall to the ground. Some of my colleagues in my delegation, I looked around and I could see them tearing up. And there was a huge emotional rush of, 鈥楾hank God he鈥檚 still here.鈥 God saw over him.鈥
Scenes from a park near the RNC
A city park designated for protesters at the Republican 好色tv Convention in Milwaukee was almost empty Tuesday afternoon.
Police officers on bicycles and event staff in orange shirts were present at Zeidler Union Square, but no speakers had shown up by early afternoon.
The park is less than a mile from where the convention is being held and one of two set aside for protesters by the city.
The quiet scene came a day after protesters marched through downtown streets advocating for reproductive rights, solidarity with Palestinians and immigrant rights.
Trump and Vance to speak at a rally in Michigan on Saturday
Donald Trump has announced that he and his chosen running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, will speak at a rally on Saturday in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The event will be the first rally since both accepted their nominations at the convention.
The scheduled rally comes just a week after the attempted assassination of Trump at a campaign rally last Saturday, where Trump was injured, an attendee died and two others were seriously wounded.
Trump's speech on Thursday 鈥榗ould be very important,鈥 Pennsylvania GOP chair says
Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman Lawrence Tabas said he hoped Saturday鈥檚 assassination attempt on former President Trump would reset the tone nationally, beginning with the former president鈥檚 speech to the Republican 好色tv Convention on Thursday.
鈥淚 think his speech could be very important. Notice during his appearance (Monday), he was more subdued than normal, almost humbled,鈥 Tabas said in an Associated Press interview after the Pennsylvania GOP鈥檚 delegation breakfast in suburban Milwaukee. 鈥淎fter a brush with death, I do believe 鈥 going through that 鈥 that his message will be better, and I think will appeal to our better emotions.鈥
鈥淗e has an enormous amount of compassion and empathy that doesn鈥檛 always come through,鈥 he said.
Milwaukee pastor hopes convention speakers acknowledge what the Black community represents
The economic impact of having the convention in Milwaukee is obvious and important to the majority Black city, according to Richard Brown, pastor of The Captive Project Church and Ministries in Milwaukee.
Brown, 57, sat outside the Fiserv Forum Tuesday morning as delegates arrived and volunteers and workers prepared the venue for the day鈥檚 events.
鈥淲hen money comes in like this, it鈥檚 always interesting because I serve the disenfranchised in the urban, high crime areas of the city,鈥 said Brown, who is Black.
Brown says he hopes to hear respect for what the Black community represents from speakers during the convention.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a huge economic base. There鈥檚 a huge political base,鈥 he said. 鈥淲hen Trump went into to Brooklyn that was huge. That was absolutely huge.鈥
鈥楳y father will always be a fighter鈥
Speaking to Axios' co-founder Mike Allen on Tuesday, Donald Trump Jr. said he felt the 鈥済ravity of the moment鈥 鈥 referring to Saturday鈥檚 shooting 鈥 when his father walked on the stage Monday night at the RNC with a bandage on his ear.
Donald Trump Jr. told Allen that he spent three or four hours going through his father鈥檚 convention speech with him, 鈥渢rying to de-escalate some of that rhetoric.鈥
When asked if the change in Trump鈥檚 rhetoric would last, he said: 鈥淚 think it lasts. There are events that change you for a couple minutes and there are events that change you permanently.鈥
鈥淢y father will always be a fighter,鈥 he added. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 never going to change. But I think he鈥檚 going to do his best to moderate that with where it needs to be.鈥
Don Jr. describes first call with Trump after shooting
Donald Trump Jr. on Tuesday described the 90 minutes when he didn鈥檛 know whether his father was alive after Saturday鈥檚 assassination attempt.
Donald Trump Jr. spoke with Axios鈥 co-founder Mike Allen at an event outside the RNC at Central Waters Brewing Company in downtown Milwaukee. The event was fully packed, reaching capacity with a few dozen attendees having to watch the conversation on a TV outside.
Donald Trump Jr., who was fishing in Florida with his daughter at the time, said it was about 90 minutes after the shooting before he knew his father was OK. When he saw images of the former president with his fist in the air, Donald Trump Jr. said he felt pride.
鈥淭o be shot and to stand up with that kind of resolve, I just told him, 鈥楬ey man, you鈥檙e the biggest bad-ass I know,鈥欌 the ex-president鈥檚 eldest son said.
After the initial happiness of knowing he was OK, Donald Trump Jr. said there was some levity when he asked his father about his hair and Trump responded by saying it was fine even though it had a little blood in it.
Protesters have a stage to speak from, but no audience
A stage set up by the city of Milwaukee for protesters near the Republican 好色tv Convention has no audience beyond a few journalists and staff organizing the event.
It opened at 11 a.m. as the closest approved location for speakers near the Fiserv Forum.
But on Tuesday morning there were only two speakers including an 82-year-old Trump supporter who has been sitting outside the convention for three days.
Robert Kunest, wearing a blue baseball cap that says 鈥淚srael,鈥 says he鈥檚 been interviewed by more than 100 journalists during the convention. He walks around the convention pushing a cart that holds a well-worn chair patched together with tape and signs that include ones reading, 鈥淎merica Advances with Trump & Vance.鈥
The Florida man spoke for about 20 minutes into a microphone about Trump, the war in Gaza and the economy.
鈥淲here is everybody?鈥 he said.
Ahead of the convention, more than 100 people signed up to speak on the stage. But city officials say the no-show rate has been more than 80%. On Monday there were only a handful of speakers.
City leaders say they might have opted to join Monday鈥檚 large march that started at a nearby park.
DeSantis scheduled to address RNC on Tuesday night, AP sources say
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to address the RNC Tuesday night, according to a person familiar with the schedule who was not authorized to speak publicly.
DeSantis was seen as Trump鈥檚 strongest challenger for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination until he dropped out right before the New Hampshire primary.
His remarks Tuesday will come the same night that former presidential candidate Nikki Haley is scheduled to speak, putting two of Trump鈥檚 most visible rivals turned supporters on stage in a show of party unity.
___
Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price contributed to this report.
Group of House Dems are circulating letter with concerns about nominating Biden
A contingent of House Democrats is circulating a letter with 鈥渟erious concerns鈥 about nominating President Joe Biden as the party鈥檚 pick in a virtual roll call as soon as July 21, ahead of the Democratic 好色tv Convention in August.
The letter to the Democratic 好色tv Committee, which has not yet been sent, says it would be a 鈥渢errible idea鈥 to stifle debate about the party鈥檚 nominee with the early roll call vote.
The party had planned the early roll call to ensure Biden would qualify for the ballot in Ohio, but the state has since changed its rules, making the issue no longer relevant, the letter says.
Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., who asked pointed questions of Biden on a call with progressive lawmakers over the weekend, is among those raising concerns.
Homeland Security Committee chair demands that leaders of Secret Service, FBI and more appear
The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee is demanding top leaders from the Secret Service, FBI and Homeland Security appear to discuss the assassination attempt against Donald Trump.
U.S. Rep. Mark Green, the Republican from Tennessee who chairs the committee, said in a statement that he wants Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI Director Christopher Wray and Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify July 23.
Green wrote that the 鈥淎merican people want answers鈥 on Saturday鈥檚 shooting.
Green has already reached out to the secretary demanding information about the shooting including plans to secure the perimeter where the rally was held.
Trump and Vance to appear at RNC every night, AP sources say
Trump and Vance are scheduled to appear in the hall every night, according to two people familiar with the schedule who were not authorized to speak publicly.
The nominee and his newly minted running mate sat together on Monday night in what was Trump鈥檚 first public appearance following the assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Vance is expected to give his own speech Wednesday night, with Trump to headline Thursday night鈥檚 closing evening.
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Associated Press writers Meg Kinnard and Michelle L. Price contributed to this report.
Hutchison: 鈥楽ecurity is an important theme of this convention鈥
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchison zeroed in on security at the RNC in an on-the-street interview Tuesday morning near Fiserv Forum.
鈥淪ecurity is an important theme of this convention,鈥 Hutchinson, who in January suspended his campaign for the Republican nomination for president, said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to Americans, and with the assassination attempt last week security becomes more important for public officials, but it鈥檚 also important as former President Trump said to diminish the harshness of the rhetoric and hopefully can bring people together.鈥
Hutchinson acknowledged that Saturday鈥檚 assassination attempt was a galvanizing moment.
鈥淲henever you look at the strength of Donald Trump as he rose from that attack it signaled 鈥業鈥檓 here鈥 and we鈥檙e going to continue and not let democracy be defeated,鈥 Hutchinson said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 America. That鈥檚 iconic for America and you can鈥檛 help but contrast that with the debate performance of incumbent Joe Biden.鈥
Pennsylvania delegate to immigration speakers: 鈥楥lose the border鈥
Pennsylvania delegate John Fredericks had a simple bar for Tuesday鈥檚 immigration speakers at the RNC, 鈥淐lose the border. If they鈥檙e here illegally, get them out 鈥 now. That鈥檚 all I鈥檓 interested in. Get them out.鈥
Fredericks, who is from Pittsburgh and was attending the Pennsylvania GOP delegation breakfast at a hotel in Milwaukee鈥檚 western suburbs, said the problem has worsened since 2016 when his concerns were more about Mexican immigrants crossing the border.
Today, Fredericks says he is worried more about would-be terrorists from non-Central American countries using the U.S.-Mexico border as an entry point, as a matter of national security. He said he supported 鈥渢he largest mass deportation in history.鈥
Secret Service director shed more light on rally shooting during ABC News interview
The director of the Secret Service shed more light on the shooting at Trump鈥檚 rally in Pennsylvania, telling ABC News Monday night that reports that the shooter had been noticed by people in the area and local authorities before climbing on the roof where he took the shots took place in a 鈥渧ery short period of time.鈥
鈥淪eeking that person out, finding them, identifying them, and eventually neutralizing them took place in a very short period of time, and it makes it very difficult,鈥 Kim Cheatle said during an interview Monday with ABC News.
Cheatle described the role local law enforcement played in securing the event, saying that the 鈥淪ecret Service was responsible for the inner perimeter.鈥
And, she said, the service had assistance from local authorities 鈥渇or the outer perimeter.鈥
鈥淭here was local police in that building 鈥 there was local police in the area that were responsible for the outer perimeter of the building,鈥 she said.
Protest groups
end their RNC demonstrations in Milwaukee
One day after its march in downtown Milwaukee, a coalition of protest groups says its activity in the city is 鈥渃oming to a close.鈥
In a statement Tuesday, the Coalition to March on the RNC said it has no further plans to organize demonstrations around the Republican 好色tv Convention.
鈥淥ur endorsing organizations will continue their work to stand with Palestine, defend and expand immigrants鈥 rights, defend women鈥檚, LGBTQ, and reproductive rights, and demand peace, justice, and equity for all,鈥 the coalition said.
The coalition said that in the coming weeks, many of its groups will be looking ahead to demonstrating in August outside the Democratic 好色tv Convention in Chicago.
Secret Service director says shooting at a rally for former president Donald Trump was 鈥榰nacceptable鈥
鈥淚t鈥檚 something that shouldn鈥檛 happen again,鈥 Kim Cheatle said in an . 鈥淚t was obviously a situation that as a Secret Service agent, no one ever wants to occur in their career.鈥
Cheatle described her reaction after hearing about the shooting, saying she was shocked and concerned for Trump.
鈥淭his is an event that should have never happened,鈥 she said.
Cheatle was asked who bears the most responsibility for the shooting happening.
鈥淲hat I would say is the Secret Service is responsible for the protection of the former president,鈥 she said. 鈥淭he buck stops with me.
Dems hold event to counter Teamsters union president's RNC appearance
Democrats are seeking to counter the appearance of Teamsters Union President Sean O鈥橞rien Monday night at the Republican 好色tv Convention.
They held an event in Milwaukee Tuesday morning to claim that they have the backs of workers, not Republicans. It鈥檚 an attempt to strip away political rhetoric and instead focus on track records in office. O鈥橞rien made the case Monday that the political system is broken and needs bipartisanship, while the union and party officials tied to the Democrats said that Republicans are behind the breakdowns.
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said, 鈥淲hen people have the facts and they see the stark choices鈥 they鈥檒l back the Biden-Harris ticket.
Quentin Fulks, the Biden-Harris deputy campaign manager, said that Republicans will 鈥渁lways choose big, greedy, anti-union鈥 interests over workers.
Lara Trump encourages Pennsylvania delegation to vote early
In a flip from Donald Trump鈥檚 past two campaigns, Lara Trump encouraged the Pennsylvania delegation to vote early 鈥 a contrast from the former president鈥檚 long-held, public doubts about early and absentee voting.
鈥淲e鈥檙e taking nothing for granted,鈥 she said, suggesting that banking early votes will help the campaign spend the final stage of the campaign focusing on late deciders.
She also suggested that the map of battleground states was expanding beyond the half dozen or so states that have been the campaign鈥檚 focus so far. She said Minnesota and Virginia had been added to their battleground plans. Biden lost the two states in 2020, though they were competitive in 2016.
鈥淕et ready to see a lot of red on that map,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e have to make it too big to rig.鈥
Lara Trump: 鈥楾he show goes on鈥
鈥淭his is incredible to be here right now and I think we all know why. We may have been looking at a very different situation, but for the grace of God,鈥 Republican 好色tv Committee co-chair Lara Trump told more than 200 Pennsylvania delegates and guests Tuesday morning in a hotel ballroom in Waukesha, Wisconsin, west of Milwaukee. 鈥淕od bless, Donald J. Trump.鈥
鈥淗ere we are. The show goes on,鈥 she said.
Lara Trump was making her first public appearance at the Republican 好色tv Convention speaking to the Pennsylvania delegation 鈥 a nod to the assassination attempt against the former president on Saturday and Pennsylvania鈥檚 pivotal place on the battleground map.
鈥淲hat a time to be a member of the Republican Party,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e will be the party through Donald J. Trump saves the United States of America.鈥
Jack Black ends Tenacious D tour following bandmate's comments on Trump shooting
The comedy rock duo 鈥 made up of and Kyle Gass 鈥 has after Gass鈥 remarks about the assassination attempt on over the weekend.
While onstage at a concert in Sydney on Sunday, Gass was presented with a birthday cake and asked to 鈥渕ake a wish鈥 by Black. Gass responded, 鈥淒on鈥檛 miss Trump next time,鈥 an apparent reference to a day before that left the former president with an injured ear. The video of Gass was widely circulated on social media.
鈥淚 was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday. I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form,鈥 Black said in a Tuesday . 鈥淎fter much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold. I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.鈥
Following Black鈥檚 statement, Gass apologized .
First day of the RNC was 鈥榗alm鈥 overall, Milwaukee's mayor says
鈥淭he demonstrations that occurred yesterday 鈥 they proceeded without any major problem,鈥 Mayor Cavalier Johnson said during a Tuesday morning briefing.
Johnson said two arrests were made 鈥 one when someone tried to climb a fence into a restricted area and a second arrest when a demonstrator was blocking traffic and did not move when officers repeatedly asked her to do so.
鈥淣o one was hurt and there was no significant property damage that was reported as a result of these demonstrations,鈥 Johnson said.
Trump's economic plans include proposed tariffs, tax cuts and no taxes on tips
The first night of the Republican 好色tv Convention kept its official focus on the economy Monday even after at a rally in Pennsylvania in which former President Donald Trump was injured.
Speakers argued that Trump would fix inflation and bring back prosperity simply by returning to the White House as president. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin lamented, 鈥淭onight, America, the land of opportunity, just doesn鈥檛 feel like that anymore.鈥
But Trump has released few hard numbers and no real policy language or legislative blueprints, and most of the speakers Monday didn鈥檛 get into details either. Instead, his campaign is betting that voters care more about attitude than policy specifics. Trump says he wants tariffs on trade partners and no taxes on tips. He would like to knock the corporate tax rate down a tick. The also promises to 鈥渄efeat鈥 inflation and 鈥渜uickly bring down all prices,鈥 in addition to pumping out more oil, natural gas and coal.
The platform would address illegal immigration in part with the 鈥渓argest deportation program in American history.鈥 And Trump would also scrap President Joe Biden鈥檚 policies to develop the market for electric vehicles and renewable energy.
Democrats and several leading economists say the math shows that Trump鈥檚 ideas would cause an explosive bout of inflation, wallop the middle class and 鈥 by his extending his soon-to-expire tax cuts 鈥 heap another $5 trillion-plus onto the national debt.
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On the campaign trail, Biden is trying to sharpen the choice voters face in November
President Joe Biden will speak at the NAACP convention in Las Vegas on Tuesday, aiming to showcase his administration鈥檚 support for Black voters who are a tentpole of the Democratic coalition and his personal political support.
He鈥檒l also participate in an interview with BET. Tomorrow, he鈥檒l address UnidosUS, looking to bolster his appeal to Latino voters, another crucial Democratic-leaning bloc.
What to know about JD Vance, Trump's VP pick
Trump chose U.S. to be his running mate as he looks to return to the White House. Here are some things to know about the 39-year-old Republican now in his first term in the Senate:
1. Vance rose to prominence with his bestseller memoir 鈥淗illbilly Elegy,鈥 a book about his roots in rural Kentucky and .
2. Vance was a 鈥渘ever Trump鈥 Republican in 2016, but by the time Vance met Trump in 2021, he had reversed his opinion.
3. Vance and Trump have a personal chemistry: The two speak on the phone regularly, and Trump has complimented Vance鈥檚 beard, saying he 鈥渓ooks like a young Abraham Lincoln.鈥
鈻御别补诲
Nikki Haley expected to speak later Tuesday
Nikki Haley, Trump鈥檚 former primary rival, was a last-minute addition to the schedule.
The former United Nations ambassador and South Carolina governor to say she would vote for him. Then last week, she she would instruct her convention delegates to vote for Trump but wasn鈥檛 planning to attend the convention.
It wasn鈥檛 until Sunday 鈥 hours after the shooting 鈥 that her office reversed itself and said she would speak.
The Trump-era evolution of the GOP was on full display during first night of RNC
Senate Republican Leader is arguably responsible for the GOP鈥檚 biggest policy accomplishments, particularly in installing conservative judges at all levels of the judiciary. But that didn鈥檛 matter much to the Trump-friendly crowd at the RNC, which greeted the Kentucky Republican with boos 鈥 a tangible rejection of someone demonized as an establishment Republican who has insufficiently supported the former president.
Just a short while later, JD Vance enjoyed a much different reception. The second-youngest U.S. senator 鈥 and the first millennial to appear on a major party ticket 鈥 received raucous applause when he walked onto the convention floor for the first time as Trump鈥檚 running mate.
The dueling moments offered a window into the changes that have swept the GOP under Trump 鈥 bookending an era in which McConnell has gone from one of his party鈥檚 most powerful leaders and incisive tacticians to getting jeered on the convention floor by his own party鈥檚 activists.
鈻御别补诲 more
What to watch as the RNC enters its second day
The Republican 好色tv Convention heads into its second day 鈥 now with officially as its presidential nominee.
Trump energized the crowd Monday night by entering the arena with a bandage on his right ear after being injured during an assassination attempt Saturday. Expect more speakers Tuesday to mention what they described as the former president鈥檚 strength and resilience after the shooting at his rally in Pennsylvania.
Day 1 of the RNC comes to a close
The Republican 好色tv Convention opened less than 48 hours after Trump was the subject of a shocking assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. The shooting, which left Trump injured and one man dead, loomed over the convention with speakers expressing gratitude for the former president鈥檚 survival and resolved to win back the White House in November.
Trump greeted supporters as he exited the arena. He was being protected by a noticeably larger security contingent of U.S. Secret Service agents.
Teamsters president says union group is 鈥榥ot beholden to anyone or any party鈥
Just a week after the AFL-CIO reaffirmed its backing of President Biden, another union leader came and spoke at the Republican 好色tv Convention.
Teamsters Union President Sean O鈥橞rien said workers are being taken for granted and sold out to big banks, big tech and the corporate elite. O鈥橞rien said the Teamsters 鈥渁re not beholden to anyone or any party鈥 and will work with a bipartisan coalition.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 care about getting criticized,鈥 O鈥橞rien said as he defied organized long-standing support of Democrats.
Trump gets emotional as he enters the stadium
With a large white bandage on his right ear following the assassination attempt against him, President Trump entered a convention floor where delegates stood and cheered, many holding up signs or their phones to take photos and video.
He was heralded by musician Lee Greenwood, who sang his signature song, 鈥淕od Bless the USA.鈥
鈥淚s there any doubt who鈥檚 going to be the next president of the United States? Prayer works,鈥 Greenwood said when the former president took the stage.
JD Vance recalls the moment Trump called with VP news
JD Vance said his 7-year-old son was being noisy in the background when Trump called to offer him the vice president spot on the Republican ticket.
Vance knew Trump was calling with big news, but he didn鈥檛 know if it was good or bad news for him, the first-term Ohio senator told Fox News host Sean Hannity in his first interview since Trump announced his pick.
He said Trump also asked to speak to his son.
鈥淭he guy just got shot a couple of days ago, and he takes the time to talk to my seven-year-old,鈥 Vance said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a moment I鈥檒l never forget.鈥
He said he and Trump have been close since Trump endorsed him in his 2022 Senate race, which he said he would not have won without Trump鈥檚 support.
