But it's not all speeches and delegates here. USA TODAY Opinion columnists have a lot of thoughts on the RNC. We'll bring you live commentary and analysis, alongside on-the-ground coverage from Fiserv Forum throughout the convention.
Wednesday is “ Make America Strong Once Again ” at the Republican National Convention and U.S. Sen. JD Vance, former President Donald Trump’s pick for a running mate , will be the keynote speaker for an agenda packed with law-and-order platitudes.
But Vance, in his first term as Ohio’s junior senator, has demonstrated remarkable flexibility about law enforcement and violence, shaped by partisan or ideological considerations.
Take Jan. 6, 2021 – when Trump supporters, angry that he had been defeated by President Joe Biden, attended a rally in Washington, D.C., that devolved into a deadly and destructive riot at the U.S. Capitol. Some of the rioters vowed to kill then-Vice President Mike Pence for following the law requiring that he certify the election. They even erected a gallows for Pence.
Vance sees that as no big deal, telling CNN in May – while under consideration by Trump for veep – that he was “ extremely skeptical that Mike Pence’s life was ever in danger .” Vance also mocked Democrats who were in the Capitol that day as acting like it “was the scariest moment of their lives” while complaining that Trump is held to “an absurd standard” for what happened.
Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance during Day 1 of the Republican National Convention (RNC), at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S., July 15, 2024. REUTERS/Brian Snyder Brian Snyder, REUTERS
JD Vance, the Republican Party’s vice presidential nominee, will give his first prime-time speech to the nation Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee .
Former President Donald Trump picked the 39-year-old Ohio senator as his running mate on Monday. Political pundits and others noted that Vance, elected to the Senate in 2022, is suddenly well-positioned to assume leadership of the GOP from the former president after either this election or in 2028 as a second Trump term winds down.
Vance, a successful author and Yale Law graduate , has a prime opportunity to introduce himself to voters starting Wednesday night and in the 111 days remaining until Election Day.
General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Sean O'Brien speaks during the first day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 15, 2024. Days after he survived an assassination attempt Donald Trump won formal nomination as the Republican presidential candidate and picked right-wing loyalist J.D. Vance for running mate, kicking off a triumphalist party convention in the wake of last weekend's failed assassination attempt. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, AFP via Getty Images
For the past four years, President Joe Biden has called himself the “most pro-union president in American history.” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler doubled down on her support of him after his poor debate performance June 27. Last week, he visited union headquarters to speak to union leaders.
That’s why I was so surprised to see Sean O’Brien , the Teamsters union president, was one of Monday’s speakers at the Republican National Convention. It came just days after reports that United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain voiced concerns about Biden’s ability to beat former President Donald Trump.
Delegates from Texas celebrate during the second day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum. The second day of the RNC focused on crime and border policies. Mike De Sisti, USA TODAY
Two significant problems with that messaging: Violent crime rates have been decreasing , and Trump’s most devoted MAGA supporters have very publicly assailed law enforcement with violence and vilification.
Trump’s stump speech these days includes a promise to pardon criminals now serving prison terms for attacking police and destroying property while attempting to stop the certification of the 2020 election on Jan. 6, 2021.
A more recent example – the ridiculous mocking of female U.S. Secret Service agents who put their bodies between Trump and the direction that gunfire came from during Saturday’s assassination attempt. These brave women have been mocked as “DEI hires” and for their physiques, for the bodies they put in harm’s way to protect Trump.
If you claim to be a fan of law and order while celebrating people who attack police officers and vilifying Secret Service agents for risking their lives, you are not a fan of law and order.
While the theme of the day in Milwaukee was “Make America Safe Once Again,” ironic given that crime in America is down considerably , the theme of the evening slate of speakers should have been “The GOP Parade of Subjugation.”
The key speakers were, according to nicknames Trump had previously assigned them: Lyin’ Ted, Birdbrain, Ron DeSanctimonious and Little Marco. (Sen. Ted Cruz, Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Marco Rubio.)
Several primary contenders against former President Donald Trump spoke to the crowd, to different reactions.
Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy got a rousing welcome and the crowd ate up everything he said. He got everyone chanting “vote Trump” at one point. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also riled up the crowd.
Of note, Trump arrived to the arena at 8 p.m. CDT – an hour earlier than he was originally scheduled to, which means he was there in person to hear Haley – his fiercest primary opponent. (Remember Trump’s “birdbrain” smear against Haley ?)
Last week, Haley had said she wasn't even invited to attend . Things changed over the weekend, when it was announced Sunday – the day after Trump survived an assassination attempt – she’d speak at the convention.
Haley was welcomed with more cheers than I had expected, and some “boos.”
But when she said that Trump graciously invited her, and that she firmly endorsed him, Haley won over the crowd.
“For the sake of our nation, we have to go with Donald Trump,” she said, and a “unified Republican Party” is the best way to save the country.
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