Pinned
When it comes to convention attire, the more eye-popping and the more patriotic, the better.
Conventioneer Jim Walsh of Connecticut drew a lot of attention for a stuffed elephant he wore atop his head, representing the GOP’s mascot.
MILWAUKEE—After Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) was announced as former President Trump’s running mate, convention attendees shared their thoughts with The Epoch Times.
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, who was chatting and taking photographs with a crowd of fans, said "I’m in 100 percent.”
The entrepreneur said his two favorites had been Mr. Vance and Dr. Ben Carson, who led the Department of Housing and Urban Development during former President Trump’s first term.
Lawmakers have called for an investigation into how the shooter managed to gain access to the roof of a nearby building and fire at the former president, despite the presence of the U.S. Secret Service. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) announced on July 15 that the committee will hear testimony from Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle on July 22.
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed in a July 15 post on X that he met with former President Donald Trump earlier that morning.
The meeting was held prior to the former president's announcement selecting Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) as his running mate, prompting speculation on social media that Mr. Kennedy might be asked to join the Republican ticket as vice president.
“Lots of rumors going around about my meeting this morning with President Trump,” Mr. Kennedy said. “Our main topic was national unity, and I hope to meet with Democratic leaders about that as well.
Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted an opportunity to face Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance in a CBS-hosted debate.
The campaign shared the news shortly after Mr. Vance was named former President Donald Trump’s running mate at the Republican National Convention on July 15, and added that she is eager to debate him.
“Vice President Harris reached out to Senator Vance and left a message to congratulate him on his selection, welcome him to the race, and express her hope that the two can meet in the vice presidential debate proposed by CBS News,” a campaign official told White House reporters.
Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) could be sworn in as the next vice president come January. If so, his open seat in the Senate could create some tension among his fellow Ohio Republicans.
Ohio’s Republican Gov. Mike DeWine would appoint an interim senator to fill Mr. Vance's Senate seat should the Trump–Vance ticket win the White House in November.
Republican Bernie Moreno is currently running to unseat Ohio’s Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown. If Mr. Moreno loses that race, he might be a leading candidate to replace Mr. Vance. But if he wins, other recent Republican candidates for Senate, such as Ohio’s Secretary of State Frank LaRose and state Sen. Matt Dolan, could find themselves back in contention.
MILWAUKEE—Former President Donald Trump’s vice presidential pick, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), entered the Republican National Convention floor, giving hugs and handshakes to well-wishers, and signing autographs on Trump placards.
As a band played, “Rebuild America First,” Mr. Vance made his way through the crowd, smiling nonstop. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was also in attendance.
Ohio's Bernie Moreno, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, called Mr. Vance “a patriot who loves America,” and moved that Mr. Vance be approved by “acclimation,” an informal agreement without calling the roll of all states.
Alejandro Mayorkas, the Homeland Security (DHS) secretary, said on July 15 that Secret Service protection will be extended to independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“In light of this weekend’s events, the president has directed me to work with the Secret Service to provide protection to Robert Kennedy Jr.,” Mr. Mayorkas said.
The announcement was made at a White House news briefing with press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
As reactions poured in over former President Donald Trump’s selection of Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) as his running mate, other contenders for the role weighed in.
Praising the former president in an X post as America’s “strongest leader” in modern history, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said Mr. Vance’s small-town roots and military service made him “a powerful voice for the America First agenda.”
Meanwhile, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, also an Ohioan, said he was “so proud of” his friend and college classmate for joining the Republican presidential ticket.
MILWAUKEE—Mark Robinson, North Carolina's lieutenant governor and the GOP’s gubernatorial candidate in that state, drew an especially strong and enthusiastic reaction from the crowd in Milwaukee as he cast the state’s 74 delegates for former President Donald Trump—a possible sign of where the loyalties of delegates and insiders in today’s GOP lie.
The pastor and politician described his state as “first in flight” and called former President Trump: “America’s Braveheart.”
In the first White House press briefing since the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas expressed his confidence in the Secret Service.
“I have 100 percent confidence in the United States Secret Service, and what you saw on stage on Saturday, with respect to individuals putting their own lives at risk for the protection of another, is exactly what the American public should see every single day,” Mr. Mayorkas said.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that President Joe Biden retains confidence in Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle. Ms. Jean-Pierre said Ms. Cheatle is “working hard to examine what happened and to ensure protectees have needed security” and is committed to fully cooperating with the independent review.
President Joe Biden has responded to former President Donald Trump’s choice for running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance. (R-Ohio).
“Here’s the deal about J.D. Vance. He talks a big game about working people. But now, he and Trump want to raise taxes on middle-class families while pushing more tax cuts for the rich,” posted President Biden on X, with a campaign donation link.
The Biden campaign released a longer statement criticizing the pick, saying Mr. Vance would enable what it described as former President Trump’s “extreme MAGA agenda.”
MILWAUKEE—It’s official: Former President Donald Trump is the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential nominee.
The announcement was made almost simultaneously with former President Trump’s announcement of his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio).
The GOP confirmed its nomination of the former president as the state of Florida added its delegates to the official count.
MILWAUKEE—Eric Trump put his father, former President Donald J. Trump, over the top in the delegate count by casting all 125 of the state’s delegates to his father.
He called former President Trump “the greatest president who ever lived.”
After he spoke, the song “Celebration” by Kool & the Gang played. Additional votes from other states and territories, beginning with Puerto Rico, came in afterwards.
MILWAUKEE—Led by Vicki Drummond, the secretary of the convention for the RNC in Milwaukee, party leaders from across the county slowly but surely delivered their delegates to former President Trump, drawing raucous cheers from a crowd ready to re-nominate the past commander-in-chief.
Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance’s selection as vice president was noted by Ohio Republican nominee for Senate Bernie Moreno as that state allocated its delegates.
Corey Lewandowski said he was proud to cast New Hampshire’s 22 votes for “my good friend,” the former president whose 2016 campaign he managed.
Jeff Kaufmann, the chair of the Iowa Republican Party, led the nomination of former President Donald J. Trump as the Republican candidate for president.
Michael J. McDonald, chair of the Nevada GOP, seconded the motion.
Mr. McDonald praised the party’s standard-bearer and survivor of a recent assassination attempt, saying the former president has withstood what he described as “weaponized lawfare.”
The former president made the announcement shortly before delegates at the Republican National Convention were scheduled to nominate him and his choice for vice president to represent the GOP in the 2024 presidential election.
After much anticipation, former President Donald Trump has announced that Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) is his running mate.
Former President Trump announced the pick on his social media site, Truth Social.
"After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio," he posted.
Republicans approved their new platform on the first day of the national convention in Milwaukee, giving the seal of approval to a document that differs in significant ways from its predecessors.
The approval by voice vote came early during the first formal session on the afternoon of July 15. The ayes were louder than nays, but nays were not absent.
Pete Hoekstra, former ambassador to the Netherlands and leader of the Michigan Republican Party, moved to advance the platform soon after the rules package for the convention moved forward.
MILWAUKEE—Republicans have approved the Trump-backed GOP platform, cleared last week by the platform committee.
Pete Hoekstra, former ambassador to the Netherlands and leader of the Michigan Republican Party, moved to advance the platform soon after the rules moved forward.
Some pro-life groups and others objected to the platform, which was much shorter than its predecessors and closely tied to President Trump’s views and proposals.
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. took to X a few hours after former President Donald Trump called for him to finally get Secret Service protection.
“It is a hopeful sign for our country when a political opponent calls for one's protection,” said the independent. “Maybe our country can unite after all.”
MILWAUKEE—GOP Chairman Michael Whatley launched the 2024 Republican National Convention at 1 p.m. CT by welcoming attendees. The audience responded with a loud cheer. But that quickly turned to a moment of silence as he asked the crowd to reflect on the “terrible events” that occurred on July 13, with the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump and the death of a rallygoer.
A prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the singing of the National Anthem followed. That concluded with loud cheers and chants of “USA! USA!”
Mr. Whatley led the convention through opening procedural matters, including the reading of the call for the convention, the adoption of convention rules, and the approval of the report of the credentials committee, certifying the roll of the convention.
The Republican National Convention (RNC) released its list of 22 speakers for Monday’s program. The lineup includes politicians, business and union leaders, and famous public figures.
Some of the notable political speakers scheduled for Monday include Sen. Tim Scott (R-N.C.), Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), and Rep. John James (R-Mich.).
On Monday, the RNC will also feature speeches from Goya Foods CEO Bob Unanue, former Yammer CEO David Sacks, Turning Point USA CEO Charlie Kirk, model and hip hop artist Amber Rose, and International Brotherhood of Teamsters President Sean O’Brien.
U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle will testify before the House Oversight Committee on July 22, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) confirmed in a social media post on July 15.
Mr. Johnson said lawmakers have questions for Ms. Cheatle, including how a shooter managed to lock former President Donald Trump in his sights and why drones were not used to secure the Pennsylvania rally.
Mr. Johnson noted that he had asked Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas the same question, but, “He had no answer.”
Former President Barack Obama responded to a video posted to X by President Joe Biden late on July 14.
“We must stand for an America not of extremism and fury, but of decency and grace,” the president said in the video.
In his response on July 15, former President Obama said his former vice president is “right.”
MILWAUKEE—Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) emphasized both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump’s calls for unity in the wake of the assassination attempt of the Republican presumptive nominee.
"The greatest threat to this nation now, even though we're dealing with our debt and deficit, is the fact that we are a horribly divided nation," Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) told The Epoch Times at the opening day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
He praised former President Trump for altering his convention speech, saying that "one of his major goals now is to unify and heal this nation."
Around 1,700 U.S. troops will assist with security at the RNC, announced Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh on July 15. Most of them are from the National Guard.
She said that the “personnel are comprised mainly from the Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota National Guard, and will be providing capabilities such as civil support … and security, and remain postured to respond to other emergent domestic requirements to protect life, property, and to maintain peace, order, and public safety.”
Security at the RNC has been beefed up following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, on July 13.
MILWAUKEE—Hordes of law enforcement personnel are keeping a close watch in about a half-square mile area surrounding the Republican National Convention site.
Officials enhanced security following the July 13 attempt to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Tall black fences form a perimeter. To reach entrances, attendees navigate a circuitous route to the Fiserv Forum, where events are being held through July 18.
Former President Donald Trump told Fox News anchor Bret Baier he will announce his running mate on Monday.
Among the reported contenders are Sens. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
The vice presidential nominee will accept the nod and give a speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 17. Former President Trump will accept the presidential nomination the following day.
Former President Donald Trump praised the U.S. Secret Service for its response to his July 13 assassination attempt, saying in a new interview that its agents came in like “linebackers” to protect him.
“They took him out with one shot right between the eyes,” former President Trump told the New York Post in an exclusive interview, referring to a Secret Service agent who shot the assailant after he fired shots at Saturday’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“They did a fantastic job. It’s surreal for all of us.”
Former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on July 15 to demand that independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gets secret service protection.
“In light of what is going on in the world today, I believe it is imperative that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. receive Secret Service protection—immediately,” the former president said. “Given the history of the Kennedy Family, this is the obvious right thing to do!"
Shortly after U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the government’s classified documents case against former President Donald Trump on July 15, ruling that special counsel Jack Smith was unlawfully appointed, the former president spoke to Fox News’s Bret Baier.
“I am thrilled that a judge had the courage and wisdom to do this,” he said, according to Mr. Baier, adding that the ruling makes the Republican National Convention more positive.
Former President Trump said it was “a big, big decision,” and pointed to Supreme Court Justice Thomas’ statements on this issue. Mr. Baier said the former president seemed to indicate that the ruling will affect other cases.
A fundraiser to support the victims and families of those killed and wounded during a failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump has raised nearly $4 million—four times its initial goal.
Firefighter Corey Comperatore, 50, of Sarver, Pennsylvania, was killed at the July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Two other men were seriously injured: 57-year-old David Dutch of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and 74-year-old James Copenhaver of Moon Township, Pennsylvania. Both were reported to be in stable condition on July 14.
Former President Donald Trump announced Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) as his running mate on the first day of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The convention falls just days after an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Former President Trump secured a legal win Monday morning when a federal judge dismissed the classified documents case against him, ruling that special counsel Jack Smith was not lawfully appointed.
In the aftermath of the assassination attempt, both President Joe Biden and former President Trump have called for unity. President Biden urged Americans to “lower the temperature” on political discourse.
“The Superseding Indictment is DISMISSED because Special Counsel Smith’s appointment violates the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution,” the order reads.
The 93-page opinion and order was issued after days of oral arguments over the special counsel’s appointment and the statutory authority that the Justice Department argued Attorney General Merrick Garland used to appoint Mr. Smith.
“A direct line of sight like that to the former president should not occur,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC, on July 15, in regards to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, two days ago.
“That is precisely why President Biden directed that an independent review of the incident occur.”
The secretary stressed the importance of an investigation being undertaken “by an independent body outside of the Department of Homeland Security,” in order for the American public and the government to have “full confidence” in the integrity of the investigation, the conclusions, and recommendations made.
Former president and presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump rewrote his speech for the Republican National Convention (RNC) following the July 13 assassination attempt against him.
He told The Washington Examiner that his speech will be about unity as opposed to hitting President Joe Biden on his policies.
“The speech I was going to give on Thursday was going to be a humdinger,” he said. “Honestly, it’s going to be a whole different speech now.”
WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden on July 14 addressed the nation from the Oval Office, highlighting a need to “lower the temperature in our politics” in the wake of the assassination attempt against his 2024 political rival, former President Donald Trump.
“We are not enemies. We’re neighbors or friends, coworkers, citizens, and most importantly, we’re fellow Americans,” the president said. “We must stand together.”
This was his first Oval Office address since the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel last year. He spoke for just over 6 minutes.
A slight turn of his head meant the difference between life and death, former President Donald Trump said in a Monday interview that was published just 36 hours after he survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania.
He added that if he only made a “half-turn” of his head, the bullet would “[hit] the back of the brain,” adding that “the other way goes right through [the skull].”
Former President Donald Trump was hustled off the stage with a bloodied face after a bullet pierced his ear during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. Authorities are now investigating what they’ve called an assassination attempt.
The attack marked the first shooting of a U.S. president or presidential candidate since President Ronald Reagan survived an assassination attempt in 1981.
6:02 p.m. —Trump Takes the Stage
Former President Trump takes to the stage to the tune of “God Bless the USA,” waving to the crowd under the scorching sun.
A municipal police officer had encountered the gunman on the rooftop before he fired at former President Donald Trump at his Pennsylvania campaign rally but was unable to stop him in time, the Butler County sheriff said.
The gunman had been spotted by bystanders on the roof of a building outside the rally perimeter for Secret Service, and the area was being guarded by local law enforcement. As the officer tried to climb onto the roof to inspect it, the shooter who was already lying on the roof turned and aimed his gun at him, forcing the officer to withdraw back to ground level for cover.
FBI officials say they believe the would-be assassin of former President Donald Trump acted alone.
The agency is investigating the attack as both an attempted assassination and an act of domestic terrorism, officials told reporters in a call with news media on July 14.
The new details emerged less than 24 hours after the United States saw its first major assassination attempt of a president or presidential candidate since President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.
It’s short. It’s punchy. It’s former President Donald Trump’s, courtesy of the party he leads.
“The RNC platform reads like the outline to a Donald Trump speech. It actually reads in his voice,” Richard Gordon, a member of the chairman’s board of the Democratic Governors Association, told The Epoch Times.
Republicans will nominate former President Donald Trump as their presidential nominee for a third time at the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, from July 14 to July 18.
Party conventions have been a staple of presidential politics for nearly 200 years.
Presidential primaries, which started to gain momentum in the mid-20th century, were originally non-binding.
RNC Opens
MILWAUKEE—A resolute Republican Party will convene its national convention on July 15, less than 48 hours after an assassination attempt against presumptive presidential nominee Donald J. Trump.Amid uncertainty about the motivation for the attack and escalating political tension in the country, party leaders and others have also called for calm as the party nominates former President Trump as its candidate for the nation’s highest office.
More than 2,400 Republican delegates, thousands of invited guests, and hundreds of journalists will attend the four-day convention. In all, some 50,000 people are expected in Milwaukee.
Audrey Gibson-Cicchino of the U.S. Secret Service said on July 14 that the convention already has the highest security designation the federal government issues and that she is confident adequate provisions are in place. “We’re not anticipating any changes to our operational security plan for this event.”
However, multiple law enforcement officers from various agencies posted in the downtown area on July 14 told The Epoch Times that security arrangements were evolving based on changes made by the Secret Service in the wake of the July 13 shooting.
Groups of up to 10 officers were posted at various locations around and within the secure perimeter of Fiserv Forum, the convention site. Squads of five to six officers patrolled the area on bicycles.
Officers from various municipalities are providing security for the event, including those from the city and county of Milwaukee. State police officers from other states, including Indiana and New Jersey, are also on duty. Members of the Transportation Security Administration man pedestrian screening checkpoints around the arena.
RNC Plans Unchanged
The former president survived the attack at a campaign rally in Bradford, Pennsylvania on July 13, suffering a gunshot wound to his right ear.Before he was escorted from the platform by a cadre of Secret Service agents, former President Trump, blood streaked across his face, paused to pump his fist to the crowd and appeared to voice the words, “Fight! Fight! Fight!”
Former President Trump was treated and released from a medical facility. Two people were killed, including the attacker, and two were seriously injured.
The next day the former president repeated his intention both to continue his political struggle and to appear at the convention where he will be formally nominated on the final day of the event, July 18.
Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles, senior members of the Trump campaign staff, issued a memo to campaign staffers on July 13.
Tamping Down Rhetoric
At the same time, members of the Trump campaign and others have cautioned against allowing speculation and political rhetoric to escalate tension in what has become the most contentious election cycle in recent memory.Mr. LaCivita and Ms. Wiles likewise urged campaign staffers to avoid fueling tensions further.
“We also urge you to recognize the political polarization in this heated election,” they wrote. “Please do not comment publicly on the occurrence of today. We condemn all forms of violence and will not tolerate dangerous rhetoric on social media.”
President Joe Biden also called for calm discourse.
“We’ll debate, and we’ll disagree. That’s not—that’s not going to change. But it’s going to—we’re going to not lose sight of the fact of who we are as Americans.” President Biden said in a statement on July 14.
He later addressed the nation from the Oval Office, saying, “Disagreement is inevitable in American democracy. It’s human nature. But politics must never be a literal battlefield. We stand for an America not of extremism and fury, but of decency and grace.”
Political figures from both parties roundly condemned the attack on the former president.