The Republican National Convention (RNC) began its second day in Milwaukee with a focus on crime and security under the theme “Make America Safe Again.” This theme gained added significance after an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and a knife-wielding homeless man being shot just blocks away from the convention.
Republicans criticized President Biden and the Democratic Party for the rise in crime in American cities, with speakers like House Speaker Mike Johnson, Gov. Ron DeSantis, Rep. Elise Stefanik, and Nikki Haley addressing the crowd. Emotional speeches were also given by individuals affected by violent crime, such as the family of Rachel Morin and Madeline Brame, who lost loved ones to tragic incidents.
The speakers highlighted instances where justice was not served, blaming prosecutors like Manhattan’s District Attorney Alvin Bragg for being “soft-on-crime.” Former President Trump and his new vice presidential pick, Sen. JD Vance, were seen supporting these speeches. Despite past disagreements, Haley and DeSantis showed unity in endorsing Trump for president, emphasizing his strong stance on foreign policy and his open-mindedness.
The convention also featured videos showcasing the impact of crime in rural America and reiterated the message of making America safe again. Trump, who appeared with a bandaged ear after the assassination attempt, remained stoic during the speeches, while DeSantis passionately endorsed Trump for a second term, criticizing Biden’s leadership. Earlier that day, he was officially named the GOP standard bearer.
Helen Comperatore, whose husband Corey was tragically killed during the rally shooting, shared that Trump reached out to offer his condolences.
“He was very kind and said he would continue to call me in the days and weeks ahead,” she wrote on Facebook.
In response to the recent events, Trump, 78, has decided to revise his planned convention speech to convey a more unifying message to the party.
Although the newly-named VP nominee Vance did not speak at the convention yet, his presence was strongly felt on the second day. He was seen with his family in Milwaukee and later conducted a walk-through of the stage for his upcoming remarks.
During an Axios event, Donald Trump Jr. expressed confidence in Vance’s potential presidency in 2028, indicating a strategic move in line with the MAGA movement.
Trump Jr. also discussed the possibility of bringing independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. into the party and his role in vetting administration additions.
The selection of Vance as VP raised questions about who would fill his Ohio senate seat if he were to become Vice President. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine would appoint someone until a special election in 2026.
Biotech mogul Vivek Ramaswamy, an Ohio native, expressed interest in potentially filling the senate seat or serving in the Trump administration.
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