'We settle our differences at the ballot box,' Rep. Bennie Thompson rips Trump in DNC speech

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson from Mississippi took the stage at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday, and reminded the crowd and country of the horror experienced by some and witnessed by many on January 6, 2021.

Thompson, who led the Congressional committee that investigated the January 6 capitol riot, laid the blame for the violence that day at the feet of former President Donald Trump. He warned that Trump is again attempting to sow doubt in election integrity ahead of November.

"They did it because Donald Trump couldn't handle losing, he lied about election fraud, he called his conspiracy-led mob to Washington. He would rather subvert democracy than submit to it, now he's plotting again," Thompson said.

The Democratic National Committee convention is in Chicago through Thursday and on Thursday, Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to formally accept the party's nomination for the 2024 presidential election on Nov. 5.

What to know about Rep. Bennie Thompson

• Who is he? Rep. Bennie Thompson has served as the Representative for Mississippi's Second Congressional District since 1993. Thompson entered public service in 1968 and is now the longest-serving African-American elected official in the state of Mississippi. In 2007, he became the first Democrat and African-American Congressman to chair the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security.
• What role he plays: Thompson is the only Democrat in Mississippi's Congressional Delegation. A senior member of the U.S. House Democratic Caucus, he led the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Capitol riot.
• Key quote: "In this country, we settle our differences at the ballot box not through violence. It took a long time to get here, and we are not going back," he said.

Watch Congressman Bennie Thompson's full speech here:

When and where is the DNC

The Democratic National Convention will take place from August 19-22 in Chicago, Illinois.

The United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, will be the main venue for the DNC.

Chicago has hosted the Democratic Convention 11 times, most recently in 1996 when the United Center saw President Bill Clinton was nominated for a second time.

How to watch and stream the 2024 DNC

The convention will air live on its website , from the United Center in Chicago between 6:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern (5:15 p.m. to 10 p.m Central) on Monday, and 7 p.m to 11 p.m. Eastern (6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Central) the other days.

USA TODAY will provide livestream coverage on YouTube each night of the DNC, Monday through Thursday.

What are the themes for each night of the DNC?

The DNC announced nightly themes for the convention. The title of the convention is "For the People, For Our Future."

Here are the themes for each night:

• Monday: "For the People"
• Tuesday: "A Bold Vision for America's Future"
• Wednesday: "A Fight for our Freedoms"
• Thursday: "For our Future"

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'We settle our differences at the ballot box,' Rep. Bennie Thompson rips Trump in DNC speech