Trump likely to announce running mate choice on day one of GOP convention
MILWAUKEE, WI – The Republican National Committee kicks off in a couple of hours, just two days after former President Donald Trump, the GOP’s standard-bearer, survived an assassination attempt.
And the Saturday shooting at Trump’s rally in western Pennsylvania – where one spectator was killed and two more critically injured, and the former president visibly bloodied after a bullet grazed his ear – has altered the tone and raised the stakes of the convention.
At the four-day confab which is being held in swing state Wisconsin’s largest city, Trump will formally become the Republican Party’s presidential nominee, and the official roll call will take place during the opening session Monday.
But as the convention gets underway, all eyes are on the former president as Trump’s expected to announce his choice for running mate, which would bring to a conclusion weeks of vetting and intense media speculation.
Fox News’ Bret Baier reports that senior GOP officials indicate a running mate announcement could occur soon after the convention is gaveled into order at 1pm ET. “It will be part of the hooplah today kicking things off”.
Considered the front-runners for the Republican vice presidential nomination are Sens. JD Vance of Ohio, Marco Rubio of Florida, and Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota.
Others thought to be in contention are Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, and Reps. Elise Stefanik of New York and Byron Donalds of Florida.
Police presence heightened at potential VP candidate’s house after Trump assassination attempt
A prominent security presence outside the residence of Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, over the weekend heightened speculation around former President Trump’s pick for vice president.
Trump survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally on Saturday, reportedly suffering a gunshot wound to his right ear in the shooting that took the life of one rally goer and injured several others.
After the incident, several black trucks and police vehicles were reportedly seen outside of Vance’s residence as he remains on of the top three candidates on Trump’s shortlist for vice president.
A spokesperson for Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, however, told an NBC reporter that he approved the security presence at Vance’s residence on Saturday, with sources saying that it was not Secret Service, but state state law enforcement.
Vance, along with Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Gov. Doug Burgum, R-S.D., remain on the top of list for Trump’s potential vice president.
Fox News’ Bret Baier reports that senior GOP officials indicate Trump could announce his running mate as soon as 1p.m. ET Monday after the Republican National Convention (RNC) commences.
Tim Scott warned of Biden’s ‘cultural revolution’ during 2020 RNC speech
Sen. Tim Scott , R-S.C., a candidate being floated as a potential vice president for Trump, delivered a heart-felt speech at the 2020 Republican National Convention (RNC). Scott talked about his upbringing and eventually being elected to serve in the Senate, which he described as an “American journey.”
“Regardless of the challenges presented to us…every four years…Americans come together to vote…To share stories of what makes our nation strong, and the lessons we have learned that can strengthen it further for our children and grandchildren,” Scott said, adding that “while this election is between Donald Trump and Joe Biden…it is not solely about Donald Trump and Joe Biden.”
Scott also took aim at President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris — the then-Democratic ticket.
“Make no mistake: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris want a cultural revolution. A fundamentally different America.”
“If we let them…they will turn our country into a socialist utopia…and history has taught us that path only leads to pain and misery, especially for hard-working people hoping to rise.”
Trump classified documents case dismissed following SCOTUS immunity ruling
Federal criminal charges against former President Trump for mishandling classified documents were dismissed on Monday by a Florida judge.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon granted a motion to dismiss the superseding indictment against him, based on a violation of the Appointments Clause of the Constitution.
Trump’s defense team had filed the motion, making the argument that Special Counsel Jack Smith was unlawfully appointed.
Justice Clarence Thomas notably mentioned the issue of Smith’s appointment to the Trump investigations in his concurrence to the Supreme Court immunity ruling earlier this month.
Cannon’s decision to grant the motion agreed that the critical Appointments Clause gives Congress a considered role in determining the propriety of vesting appointment power for inferior officers.
It was argued that the special counsel’s position effectively usurped that important legislative authority, transferring it to a head of department, and in the process threatened the structural liberty inherent in the separation of powers.
Cannon explained that there is a legal route by which to appoint Smith to the role, writing that he could be appointed and confirmed through the default method prescribed in the Appointments Clause. This, she notes, is what Congress has directed for United States attorneys throughout American history. Congress could also authorize his appointment through enactment of positive statutory law consistent with the Appointments Clause, she said.
Milwaukee law enforcement spent 18 months preparing for RNC, police chief says
Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman joins ‘Fox & Friends’ to discuss security preparations for the Republican National Convention (RNC) following the assassination attempt on former President Trump.
“We plan as much as we can plan in regards to that there is always going to be something that can throw a little screwball, but then we have to have the resources to be able to respond,” the chief said.
Norman added that security is “continuing to work with our partners” and “continuing to communicate in regards to that this is a respected event in regards to that we need to be able to work with each other and have that communication. But also, resources are here. We’re making sure we have the ability to respond the way that we need to based on behaviors and based on the intelligence we are receiving.”
The RNC will commence Monday, just days after former President Trump survived an assassination attempt.
Republican convention gets underway two days after Trump survived an assassination attempt
MILWAUKEE – The Republican National Convention kicks off on Monday, just two days after former President Donald Trump, the GOP’s standard-bearer, survived an assassination attempt.
And the Saturday shooting at Trump’s rally in western Pennsylvania – where one spectator was killed and two more critically injured, and the former president visibly bloodied after a bullet grazed his ear – has altered the tone and raised the stakes of the convention.
U.S. Secret Service and other officials announced on the eve of the convention that there are no plans to expand the security perimeter and that there are no known threats.
“The arena’s set, the security is here and we feel very comfortable that we’re working with the Secret Service,” Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley said in an interview on “Fox News Sunday.”
Unforgettable moments from past RNCs where Trump was the GOP nominee
The last Republican National Convention was held in Charlotte, N.C.,, but was far from a traditional one, taking place during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in late August 2020.
The RNC and the Trump campaign canceled the originally planned gathering due to the COVID pandemic, which had been set for Jacksonville, Florida, in July.
The convention’s overall theme was “Honoring the Great American Story” with different nights focusing on America as the “Land of Promise,” the “Land of Opportunity,” the “Land of Heroes,” and the “Land of Greatness.” Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., Trump family members, and law enforcement officials were among the featured speakers.
The Trump campaign raked in $76 million during the lightly attended, largely virtual convention.
The 2016 GOP convention took place in Cleveland, Ohio. Many feared a contested convention, amid concerns within the party over Trump, but his nomination was ultimately not challenged from the floor.
On July 19, 2016, the convention formally nominated Donald Trump for president and then-Indiana Gov. Mike Pence for vice president. They went on to win the general election, defeating the Democratic ticket of Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine.
Which former GOP presidential candidates are expected at the RNC?
The Republican National Convention’s high-profile attendees will include former 2024 GOP presidential candidates who have since become some of former President Trump’s strongest allies.
That reportedly includes North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott – both of whom have generated buzz as possible Trump running mates.
Vivek Ramaswamy, among the first Republicans to drop out and endorse Trump, is also reportedly expected to be there.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, with whom Trump had a bitter feud, is also expected to attend and even speak at the convention.A notable exclusion, however, is former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley. The ex-Trump administration official is the only woman who challenged Trump for the 2024 nomination and the final major challenger to drop out.
A Haley spokesperson told Politico that she “was not invited, and she’s fine with that. Trump deserves the convention he wants. She’s made it clear she’s voting for him and wishes him the best.”
