RNC replay: Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Lara Trump make GOP pitch at Republican convention

Prominent GOP leaders and Republican voters made their pitch to Americans across the country on the second day of the Republican National Convention, focusing on safety issues including crime, human and drug trafficking and border security.

Republicans criticized President Joe Biden's handing of the southern border, the opioid epidemic and more. A group of conservative lawmakers addressed the GOP agenda if Republicans hold onto power in the House and pick up the Senate and White House this fall.

Some of Trump's most vocal allies took the stage on Monday, including Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. And some of the former president's 2024 Republican primary rivals − including former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis − also called on Americans to grand the former president another term in office.

On Monday, Trump announced his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, and he was formally nominated. The convention is also underway in the shadows of an assassination attempt against Trump at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, over the weekend. An attendee at the campaign stop was killed, and two others were seriously inured.

Catch up with the USA TODAY Network's live coverage of the 2024 Republican convention.

Lara Trump, co-chair of the Republican National Convention and Donald Trump's daughter-in-law

Lara Trump gave the final speech of the second day of the RNC. She called her father-in-law "exactly what this country needs right now."

She also said her family has received an outpouring of support following the stunning shooting at Donald Trump's rally on Saturday.

"The prayers and well wishes we've received over the last 72 hours have been overwhelming, to say the least," Lara Trump said.

− Marina Pitofsky

Marco Rubio honors victim who was killed at Donald Trump rally

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., took time out of his remarks Tuesday night to honor Corey Comperatore, a firefighter who was killed in Trump’s rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania.

“Corey was one of the millions of everyday Americans who make our country great. He wasn't rich, wasn't famous,” Rubio said. “The only reason why we know his name and story now is because last Saturday, he shielded his wife and daughter from an assassin's bullet and lost his life the way he lived it - a hero.”

Rubio added that the days following the shooting remind us that “the life of every living thing, of all mankind, is in the hands of God.”

− Sudiksha Kochi

Sarah Huckabee Sanders: 'Not even an assassin's bullet could stop' Trump

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Tuesday advocated for former President Donald Trump to return to the White House and talked about her personal relationship with the former president.

Sanders spoke personally about her relationship with Trump when she served as his press secretary, saying he supported her after she experienced attacks and criticism from members of the media and across Washington.

“The left doesn't care about empowering women,” Sanders said. “Biden and Harris can't even tell you what a woman is. They only care about empowering themselves.”

Sanders also said God intervened in Trump’s assassination attempt on Saturday.

"Not even an assassin's bullet could stop him,” she said. “God Almighty intervened because we are one nation under God and he certainly wasn't finished with Donald Trump."

− Rebecca Morin

DeSantis addresses crowd in fiery speech, stands by Trump

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in a fiery speech at the Republican National Convention Tuesday, told his fellow Republicans that America cannot afford four more years of what he called Joe Biden's “Weekend at Bernie’s” presidency.

“Life was more affordable when Donald Trump was president. Our border was safer under the Trump administration, and our country was respected when Donald Trump was commander in chief,” DeSantis said.

The governor, who ran against Trump in the Republican primaries and later dropped out, has had a rocky relationship with the former president who at one point gave him the nickname “DeSanctimonius.”

−Sudiksha Kochi

Family of Rachel Morin speaks

The family of Rachel Morin, who was killed last year, spoke at the Republican convention. An undocumented immigrant has been charged with her death.

Michael Morin, Rachel Morin's brother, said Trump comforted her family in the wake of her tragic death: "He wanted to meet with us. He cared. That is leadership, and we need real leadership back in the White House."

−Marina Pitofsky

Woman's whose son was poisoned by fentanyl-laced pills addresses Republican convention

Anne Fundner, whose 15-year-old son died in 2022, criticized Joe Biden and Kamala Harris over the spread of fentanyl in the United States.

She led chants of "Joe must go," during her remarks, adding "This is not a red or blue issue, this is a red, white and blue issue."

−Marina Pitofsky

Nikki Haley gives Donald Trump her 'strong endorsement,' calls for party unity

Greeted by a chorus of boos, Nikki Haley told convention-goers Tuesday that Donald Trump has her "strong endorsement" and asked her to speak at the convention "in the name of unity."

"It was a gracious invitation," Haley said, "and I was happy to accept."

Haley in her address spoke directly to Republican voters hesitant on a second Trump term.

"My message to them is simple: You don't have to agree with Trump 100% of the time to vote for him. Take it from me," she said.

− Savannah Kuchar

Sen. Ted Cruz rails against crimes committed by undocumented migrants

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in a passionate speech Tuesday denounced criminals who have illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border.

“Every day Americans are dying, murdered, assaulted, raped by illegal immigrants,” Cruz said. “This is evil. And it's wrong. And it is happening every damn day.” 

There is no evidence that migrants have contributed to an increase of crime in major cities, although there have been several high-profile crimes that have occurred in some major cities, according to an analysis from NBC News published earlier this year.

Cruz highlighted several women who have been killed in crimes committed by undocumented migrants, including Kate Steinle, Laken Riley and Rachel Morin. 

Cruz used the term “invasion,” when discussing the border. There have been record levels of border encounters under the Biden administration. Border encounters in June plummeted to 2021 levels.

“Never before has an election mattered so much, we are facing an invasion on our southern border, not figuratively, a literal invasion,” Cruz said.

− Rebecca Morin

JD Vance says Kamala Harris was ‘very gracious, very cordial’ during phone call

Donald Trump’s newly minted running mate J.D. Vance, told Newsmax Tuesday that Vice President Kamala Harris, who called him after he was given his new role, was "very gracious" and "very cordial" on the phone.

“President Trump offers me this job, and then, my phone starts blowing up, and I get a call and it was from actually an unknown number. And it was apparently Vice President Kamala Harris,” Vance said. “We talked today actually. She was very gracious, very cordial.”

−Sudiksha Kochi

Where is Mike Pence this week? Not in Milwaukee.

Trump's former vice president and brief 2024 GOP rival Mike Pence was not in attendance at this year's Republican bash.

Pence and his wife, Karen, were instead in Montana, according to a post on social media.

"Nothing Like Montana in the Summertime! God Bless the Treasure State!" Pence wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

− Savannah Kuchar

Donald Trump's kids attend the RNC

Trump's son Eric Trump and daughter Tiffany Trump were in attendance on night two of the convention when the former president arrived.

Daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner are expected on the last day of the convention, Thursday.

− Savannah Kuchar

Was JD Vance a Marine? A look at the military record of Trump's VP pick

Born to a working-class family in Middletown, Ohio, Vance enlisted in the military directly out of high school. He joined the Marines in 2003 and served as a combat correspondent – or military journalist – until 2007, according to military news site Task & Purpose.

Vance was deployed to Iraq for six months in late 2005. Based on his memoir, he would “attach to different units to get a sense of their daily routine,” escort civilian press, and write stories about individual marines.

On a mission into Iraqi territory, Vance said he experienced a pivotal moment when he and his unit interacted with local school children. As they handed out school supplies to the children, Vance gave a small eraser to a boy.

After the boy received the eraser, Vance said, “His face briefly lit up with joy before he ran away to his family, holding his two-cent prize aloft in triumph. I have never seen such excitement on a child’s face.”

− Melissa Cruz

Donald Trump arrives for day 2

Donald Trump arrived for night two of the GOP convention, shortly after his VP-nominee JD Vance.

The former president was once again greeted by loud applause and appeared with a large bandage over his right ear.

−Savannah Kuchar

How many people are at the RNC?

There were expected to be about 50,000 people attending the RNC, according to the Milwaukee 2024 Host Committee.

−Marina Pitofsky

JD Vance enters the convention floor

JD Vance, Trump's newly announced running mate, entered the convention floor on Tuesday night to cheers and applause. He was seen embracing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and other prominent Republicans.

−Marina Pitofsky

Vivek Ramaswamy courts Gen Z voters in his remarks

Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, in a lively address to convention attendees, told the cheering crowd that Gen Z is set to be the generation that “actually saves the country.”

“You want to be a rebel. You want to be a hippie. You want to stick it to the man. Show up on your college campus and try calling yourself a conservative,” he said. 

“Say you want to get married, have kids, teach them to believe in God and pledge allegiance to their country. Because you know what? Fear has been infectious in this country. But courage can be contagious too. That too is what it means to be an American,” he added.

− Sudiksha Kochi

Who attends the RNC?

No, you can't just walk into the Republican convention. It's a credentialed event, so attendees had to be preapproved before they traveled to Milwaukee to attend the convention.

− Marina Pitofsky

Johnson, Emmer and Scalise lay out what GOP will do if Trump wins

A handful of top Republican congressional leaders outlined their goals for the GOP if they control Congress and the White House.

Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., told convention attendees if Trump wins a second term, he expects to make Trump tax cuts permanent, pass legislation expanding school choice, finish building the wall, tighten up security at the border and “end the Democrats assault on American energy.” House Speaker Mike Johnson also touted the former president's handling of the economy.

Majority Whip Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., said right now Republicans are just “holding the line” in Congress to stop legislation they do not support and “fought back against the Democrats reckless spending.” 

But he noted that if Republicans take control of the House, Senate and White House, then they will try to move forward with legislation that will increase jobs in the United States and address taxes.

“Get ready. Because when we grow our majority, when we flip the Senate, and when we send President Donald J. Trump back to the White House, we won't just be holding the line anymore,” he said. “We'll be moving forward.”

− Sudiksha Kochi, Rebecca Morin and Savannah Kuchar

Nevada Republican Sam Brown speaks about 'high cost of war'

Republican Senate candidate Sam Brown, who is currently trying to flip the seat held by Sen. Jackie Rosen, D-Nev., spoke about the "high cost of war" during remarks at the convention, railing against Biden's handling of the American armed services.

“I’ve been through the fire," Brown, who served in the Army, said. "President Trump has been through the fire. But hope has not been extinguished – it is re-ignited.”

− Marina Pitofsky

Stefanik calls back to pro-Palestinian college protests

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., railed against what she called violent antisemitism on college campuses and addressed the student-led, pro-Palestinian protests on campuses across the country this spring. 

The New York Republican highlighted a congressional hearing that included then-presidents of Harvard University and University of Pennsylvania. 

“Oh wait, they are former presidents,” she said. Two of the presidents resigned in the wake of major fallout over the hearings.

“President Trump,” Stefanik continued, “will bring back moral leadership to the White House, condemning antisemitism and standing strong with Israel and the Jewish people." 

−Savannah Kuchar

Steve Scalise, who was shot in a 2017 attack, addresses Donald Trump assassination attempt

Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., on Tuesday reflected on the assassination attempt against Donald Trump over the weekend, noting the shooting he survived in 2017 after a gunman fired on members of the Republican congressional baseball team.

"Not many know, that while I was fighting for my life, Donald Trump was one of the first to come console my family at the hospital," Scalise told the crowd at the RNC.

− Marina Pitofsky

Rick Scott said he had a dream he met the ‘ghost of Biden’

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., told convention attendees Tuesday night that he had a dream featuring none other than Trump’s biggest rival: Joe Biden.

“I had a dream that I did some time traveling,” he said. “I traveled into the future to an imaginary world where actually Joe Biden got reelected. So remember the Christmas carol - the Ghost of Christmas Past? Well, in my dream I met the ghost of Biden. So I got to see a Biden second term. Now it wasn't a dream. It was a nightmare.”

In his nightmare, Scott claimed that he saw mortgage rates skyrocket and Democrats mishandling the southern border.

“The Democrats are doing everything they can to tear down this great country and rebuild it in their radical image. Their dreams aren't new,” he said. “It's an old evil idea that has failed every time it's been tried. It's called socialism and Donald J Trump will not let socialism happen in this country.”

− Sudiksha Kochi

New Jersey congressman addresses middle-of-the-road voters 

Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., made an appeal to independent voters on behalf of Donald Trump during the second convention night.  

“I know how you feel tonight, because that’s how I felt back in 2019,” said Van Drew, who switched parties to become a Republican following Trump’s first impeachment.  

“You feel like your party has left you behind, because it has,” he continued. “... I felt the same way.” 

− Savannah Kuchar 

Babydog on stage, with 2024 ‘prediction’ 

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice appeared at the convention Tuesday, with a special guest – his four-year-old English bulldog, Babydog. 

The chubby pup, famous in his home state, had her own chair on stage next to Justice, who touted Trump and Republicans' chances in 2024.  

“Babydog’s got a prediction for everybody here, and here’s the prediction: Babydog says we’ll retain the House, the majority in the House. We’re going to flip the United States Senate,” Justice said. “And overwhelmingly we’re going to elect Donald J. Trump and JD Vance in November.” 

– Savannah Kuchar 

Republicans talk up Trump's chances in interview after interview

What do Republican celebrities do at conventions? Interviews.

Many of them are done on media row, a series of pop-up radio and television studios arrayed on the carpeted floor of the old basketball arena in downtown Milwaukee.

Knots of delegates gather around as the bigger names conduct interviews of the big names: Mike Lindell! Lee Greenwood! Tom Emmer! Rudy Giuliani!

"I am a having a great time," said Giuliani, the former New York City mayor and Trump attorney.

Giuliani, who is having his share of legal challenges, said most Republicans are having a good time because they are confident Trump is going to win.

– David Jackson

Trump hats, Trump t-shirts, and .... Trump Poetry?

As with any political convention, there are plenty of pop-up vendors in Milwaukee, most of them offering merchandise with a theme: Trump hats, Trump posters, Trump t-shirts, Trump jewelry... And, if you're looking for literary inspiration, there's Trump Poetry.

"He's an amazing poet," Gregory Woodman said as he sold copies of the first-edition "Collected Poems of Donald J. Trump (2009-2019)," most of which appear to be drawn from various tweets over the year.

Sample: "Entrepreneurs:/It's often/To your advantage/to be underestimated." Another: "I hate USA Today's redesign/--the logo is terrible."

Emily Dickinson, eat your heart out.

Woodman is also pushing a petition to have Trump declared "Poet Laureate" of the United States.

– David Jackson

Kamala Harris and JD Vance speak by phone

Kamala Harris and J.D. Vance, Trump’s newly tapped running mate, spoke Tuesday by phone, a source familiar with the conversation told USA TODAY.

Harris had tried unsuccessfully to reach Vance by phone on Monday – and left a voicemail – shortly after he was named Trump’s vice presidential nominee.

Months ago, the Biden-Harris campaign accepted an invitation from CBS News for the vice president to debate Trump's eventual running mate on July 23 or Aug. 13. Trump's campaign has not committed.

– Joey Garrison

When is Nikki Haley speaking at RNC

Former Amb. Nikki Haley is set to speak between 8 p.m. CT and 8:30 p.m. CT. She'll speak just before Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, her one-time opponent in the 2024 Republican primary.

– Marina Pitofsky

Donald Trump Jr says his father is a changed man after shooting, expects him to 'moderate'

 Former President Donald Trump is a changed man after a would-be assassin tried to kill him and the new tone of unity he is projecting won't fade away, his eldest son said Tuesday on the second day of the Republican National Convention.

Speaking at an Axios event, Donald Trump Jr. said the attempt on his father's life during a rally Saturday in Pennsylvania is the type of event that permanently changes someone.

"You know, I think it lasts," Donald Trump Jr. said in response to a question of how long the "new Trump" would continue. "There are events that change you for a couple minutes and there’s events that change you permanently. Now again it’s Trump so you’re still going to be reactionary."

– Zac Anderson

Teamsters Leader says Democrats haven’t invited him to speak at convention yet

Sean O’Brien, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, told CNN’s Dana Bash Tuesday that he hasn’t been invited to speak at the Democratic convention yet.

“The partisanship is not working. We need bipartisan support, we need bipartisan cooperation,” he told her, noting that he would speak at the Democratic convention if given the opportunity.

The Teamsters is America’s “largest, most diverse union,” according to its website. O’Brien became the first Teamsters leader to address the Republican National Convention last night in the organization’s 121-year history. 

– Sudiksha Kochi

JD Vance bio: What to know about Donald Trump's VP pick

Donald Trump tapped JD Vance to be his running mate Monday at the Republican National Convention, catapulting the Ohio GOP senator even more into the national spotlight.

Here’s what you need to know about Vance.

– Haley BeMiller

What happened to Mike Pence? 

As Donald Trump’s VP, Pence faced a pivotal moment during the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection when he oversaw the certification of the electoral college results despite pressure from Trump and his supporters to overturn the election.

This event strained his relationship with Trump, culminating in Pence's decision to run against Trump in the Republican primaries. He ultimately dropped out of the race last October. 

This past March, Pence announced that he would not endorse or vote for the former president. He cited Trump's views on issues such as the national deficit, foreign policy, and events of January 6, 2021, as reasons for withholding his endorsement.

“During my presidential campaign, I made it clear there were profound differences between me and President Trump on a range of issues," Pence told Fox News. 

– Jeremy Yurow

Democratic national convention set for August

The Democratic convention will be held in Chicago. It is the first time the convention will be held there since 1996, when former President Bill Clinton was nominated for his second term.

The proceedings will be held August 19 through August 22.

– Sudiksha Kochi and Victor Hagan

These would-be speakers at RNC got snubbed: The big names missing in Milwaukee

The Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this week will feature a full roster of former President Donald Trump's loyalists, from notable pro-Trump business leaders to more than three dozen members of Congress, six GOP governors and members of the Trump family.

But there are plenty of boldface Republicans missing from the list – including many who would have plenty to gain from taking the stage in front of the thousands of delegates and millions watching on TV.

Here's who got snubbed from the speakers' list this year.

– Riley Beggin

Who is Usha Vance?

Usha Vance, the wife of J. D. Vance is a litigator for a law firm based in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. 

The daughter of Indian immigrants, Usha Vance grew up in San Diego and met Vance when they both attended Yale Law School. She was a registered Democrat as of 2014, according to the New York Times.

Usha Vance has previously clerked for Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the Times reported. The couple have three young children: Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel.

– Sudiksha Kochi and Haley BeMiller

Amber Rose talked about embracing Donald Trump

During the first day of the RNC on Monday, Amber Rose, the former reality star, rapper and model, said she used to be critical of Donald Trump, but she changed her mind after talking about the former president's tenure with her father.

Rose also spoke about being a mother, and she said she believes American families were better served by the former president. She joked that a vote for Trump this fall was a "vote to make America great again."

− Marina Pitofsky

Eric Trump says assassination of Donald Trump would have been ‘devastating’ to nation

Eric Trump, son of Donald Trump, told MSNBC Tuesday that the assassination attempted against his father “should have never been allowed to happen” and that “civil wars” have been started for much less.

Eric Trump, who said he was watching the rally with his six-year-old son, four-year-old daughter, and wife Lara, said his heart sank when he heard the gunshots ring out at the rally. 

“We almost witnessed the assassination of a former president and probably, a future president, on live TV,” he said.

Trump said that while it would have been heartbreaking as a son to see his father killed, he warned that it could have had devastating effects across the nation and world.

“Not only would it be devastating to be as a son, there's no one in the world I love more, but think about how that's devastating to a nation,” he said. “Civil wars have broken out for less than that and, and also just think about our posture on the world stage. 

“Our leaders being executed by maniacs on top of roofs, that can’t happen in the United States of America,” he added.

– Rebecca Morin

Make America Safe Again: Here's what Tuesday’s RNC theme means

Day two the Republican National Convention's theme is "Make America Safe Again" and the night will focus on supporting law enforcement, border security and battling human and drug trafficking.

USA TODAY and the USA TODAY Network have around 60 journalists on the ground in Milwaukee and you can follow along with our live blog for updates throughout the day.

– Victor Hagan

What band is playing at the RNC? 

The Nashville band Sixwire has been providing the filler music at the RNC. They’ve performed at other major events including Super Bowls 51, 54 and 56, The Daytona 500, the NHL All-Star Game, and were ESPN’s first-ever “house band” for the 2019 NFL Draft held in Nashville. 

– The Tennessean  

What are Dems up to this week? DNC announces spending in battleground states 

Amid the GOP’s big week, the Democratic National Convention announced a $15 million investment into seven battleground states, the largest sums going towards Nevada and Wisconsin. 

“As the RNC showcases the extreme Project 2025 agenda of the Trump-Vance ticket, the DNC is focused on reaching voters in battleground states,” DNC Chair Jaime Harrison said in a statement Tuesday. “Trump’s extreme agenda makes this the most consequential election of our lifetime. That’s why Democrats are leaving nothing to chance, investing heavily on the ground to ensure Joe Biden and Kamala Harris win this election.” 

Democratic groups and lawmakers have directed their focus on countering Project 2025, the controversial 900-page playbook for the country’s next conservative president. Trump has denied any association with the project, though opponents point to the Trump allies and former administration members behind its creation. 

– Savannah Kuchar 

Who's speaking tonight at the RNC?

The RNC has released its Tuesday night speaker list. Here's a peek at the schedule

5-5:30 p.m.

• Chairwoman Anne Hathaway, Committee on Arrangements
• Gov. Bill Lee (Tennessee)

5:30-6 p.m.

• Julie Harris, President of National Federation of Republican Women
• Hayden Padget, Young Republicans Chairman
• Matt Brooks, CEO of Republican Jewish Coalition
• Reince Priebus, Chairman of Host Committee
• James Crawford, Chair of the Potawatomi Nation

6-6:30 p.m.

• Perry Johnson
• Kari Lake
• Eric Hovde
• Bernie Moreno
• Former Rep. Mike Rogers (Michigan)
• Dave McCormick

6:30-7 p.m.

• Jim Banks
• Gov. Jim Justice (West Virginia)
• Sam Brown
• Tim Sheehy
• Hung Cao
• Sen. Rick Scott (Florida)

7-7:30 p.m.

• Rep. Jeff Van Drew (New Jersey)
• Rep. Elise Stefanik (New York), House Republican Conference Chair
• Rep. Tom Emmer (Minnesota), House Majority Whip
• Rep. Steve Scalise (Louisiana), House Majority Whip
• Rep. Mike Johnson (Louisiana), House Majority Leader

7:30-8 p.m.

• Vivek Ramaswamy
• Savannah Chrisley
• Mayor Eric Johnson

8-8:30 p.m.

• Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas)
• Randy Sutton, everyday American
• Attorney General Brenna Bird (Iowa)
• Former Amb. Nikki Haley
• Gov. Ron DeSantis (Florida)

8:30-9 p.m.

• Sen. Eric Schmitt (Missouri)
• Sen. Tom Cotton (Arkansas)
• Michael Coyle, everyday American
• Erin Koper, everyday American

9-9:30 p.m.

• Anne Fundner, everyday American
• The Morin Family, everyday Americans
• Madeline Brame, everyday American
• Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Arkansas)
• Dr. Ben Carson, former Housing & Urban Development Secretary

9:30-10 p.m.

• Sen. Marco Rubio (Florida)
• Co-Chair Lara Trump, Republican National Committee

— Hope Karnopp

How long is the Republican National Convention?

The Republican convention will continue through Thursday, when Donald Trump is expected to formally accept the Republican nomination.

– Marina Pitofsky

JD Vance once described conspiracy theorist Alex Jones as a beacon of truth 

JD Vance hailed Infowars founder and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones during a 2021 private event for conservative youth, according to a video of the event published by ProPublica Tuesday. 

“If you listen to Rachel Maddow every night, the basic worldview that you have is that MAGA grandmas who have family dinners on Sunday and bake apple pies for their family are about to start a violent insurrection against this country,” Vance said during the invitation-only Teneo Network event.  

“But if you listen to Alex Jones every day, you would believe that a transnational financial elite controls things in our country, that they hate our society, and oh, by the way, a lot of them are probably sex perverts too.” 

Vance then argued that Jones’ views were “actually a hell of a lot more true than Rachel Maddow’s.” 

– Karissa Waddick 

Milwaukee shooting: Officer shoots, kills person outside of RNC perimeter, sources say

An out-of-town police officer shot and killed an individual early Tuesday afternoon in Milwaukee, said two Milwaukee law enforcement sources.

Brian Steel, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Capitol City Lodge No. 9, confirmed that Columbus police were involved in a shooting in Milwaukee.

The shooting occurred near North 14th and West Vliet Streets outside of the security perimeter for the Republican National Convention, said Milwaukee law enforcement sources, who asked not to be named publicly because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the ongoing investigation.

The Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network, has reporters at the scene.

– John Diedrich

Teacher’s union head “glad” Teamsters leader spoke at RNC 

American Federation of Teacher’s President Randi Weingarten said in a post on X she was “glad” fellow union leader Sean O’Brien attended the RNC and “savaged big business for their greed,” during his speech Monday.  

O’Brien, who leads the Teamsters, sharply criticized large corporations like Amazon and Walmart and argued that politicians are not adequately protecting U.S. workers during his address at the RNC. He was the first Teamsters leader in the organizations 121-year history to speak at the Republican gathering. 

The AFT endorsed President Joe Biden in June.  

– Karissa Waddick 

Trump schedules rally for Saturday in Grand Rapids, Michigan

The Donald Trump campaign has scheduled a rally for Saturday in Grand Rapid, Mich., one week after being wounded in an assassination attempt.

Trump and running mate JD Vance will appear in Van Andel Arena on late Saturday afternoon, the campaign announced.

The indoor rally comes a week after Trump was shot at an outdoor rally in Butler, Pa.

Trump, who was nicked in the ear by a bullet, will give his nomination acceptance speech Thursday night in Milwaukee.

-David Jackson

How to watch the RNC

USA Today is livestreaming every day of the Republican National Convention. You can watch the all the speeches here: https://www.youtube.com/embed/ElnXQfsHbwI?si=uxw4eaG8CNWrkR7k

−Ben Adler

Nikki Haley to speak at RNC Tuesday 

The former South Carolina governor’s speech is among the most anticipated on Tuesday. Haley was the last 2024 GOP presidential candidate to exit the race against Trump. She was originally not planning to speak to the convention, or attend it.  

Haley, a former ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, criticized the former president frequently on the campaign trail. She said in May that she plans to vote for Trump this election. 

– Karissa Waddick 

Liz Cheney blasts Vance as an election denier 

Former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., issued a warning on Tuesday in a post on X that GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance would “do what Mike Pence wouldn’t - overturn an election and illegally seize power.” 

Cheney, an outspoken critic of Donald Trump who has raised similar concerns in the past, added that Vance “would capitulate to Russia and sacrifice the freedom of our allies in Ukraine,” and said “Trump GOP is no longer the party of Lincoln, Reagan or the Constitution.” 

Vance, a senator from Ohio, supported Trump's efforts to undermine the 2020 election and he hasn’t committed to accepting the results of the 2024 election. 

-Karissa Waddick 

Van Jones calls Amber Rose’s RNC speech “most dangerous” for Dems 

Democratic political analyst Van Jones described influencer Amber Rose’s Monday night address at the RNC, in which she recounted her path from a Trump-critic to a supporter of the former president, as “the most dangerous speech for the Democratic coalition,” so far. 

More:Watch Amber Rose's speech at the Republican National Convention

“That is a young woman of color. She is describing the experience that a lot of people have — feeling that maybe, if you’re around too many liberals, you might get criticized too much or you might not be able to speak your mind, and she spoke to it really well,” Jones said of the former model and rapper’s speech. 

“And she’s way more famous than any of us up here,” he added, calling Rose’s statements a “bunker buster,” for Democrats.  

--Karissa Waddick 

Tim Scott invokes faith in RNC speech: ‘Our God still saves’ 

Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina told convention-goers Monday, “If you didn’t believe in miracles before Saturday, you better be believing right now,” in a speech heavy on references to the Republican’s Christian faith.  

More:What's happening at the 2024 RNC? See full week schedule, how to watch and livestream

“Our God still saves. He still delivers,” Scott said, referencing the devastating shooting at Donald Trump's Saturday rally. The former president turned his head moments before a bullet grazed his ear, potentially saving his life. “Because on Saturday, the devil came to Pennsylvania holding a rifle. But an American lion got back up on his feet, and he roared.”  

Scott, who had been rumored to be on Trump’s potential list of vice-presidential picks, also criticized Joe Biden for being “asleep at the wheel” during his address.  

Scott ran his own campaign for president before dropping out in November and was then rumored to be on the list of Trump’s potential vice-presidential picks.  

− Savannah Kuchar and Karissa Waddick  

RFK Jr. says he's not dropping out of the race

   Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed his meeting with Donald Trump, but rejected reports that he is considering endorsing the Republican nominee.

“No, I am not dropping out very of the race,” Kennedy said on the social media site X. Kennedy also said:

“Lots of rumors going around about my meeting this morning with President Trump. Our main topic was national unity, and I hope to meet with Democratic leaders about that as well.”-David Jackson

JD Vance explains why he once called Trump ‘America’s Hitler’ 

In his first interview after becoming Donald Trump’s running mate, JD Vance on Sunday night explained why he once called Trump “America’s Hitler.” 

The Ohio senator wrote to a friend in 2016 that he wasn’t sure whether Trump was a “cynical asshole like Nixon who wouldn't be that bad (and might even prove useful) or that he's America's Hitler.” 

Vance cleared the air on Monday during an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity   

“I was certainly skeptical of Donald Trump in 2016, but President Trump was a great president and he changed my mind,” Vance said. “I think he changed the minds of a lot of Americans.” 

--Savannah Kuchar 

Did Trump speak last night?

Former President Donald Trump made his first public appearance since Saturday's shooting − cameras in the convention hall filmed him walking down a hall toward a seating area to watch the proceedings. He had a large bandage on his ear after he was injured in the assassination attempt.

Trump waved as the crowd roared and the cover band played a version of "So Caught Up in You."

− David Jackson

Who is Trump's VP pick JD Vance?

JD Vance, 39, is a first-term senator from Ohio, who skyrocketed to fame after publishing his memoir “Hillbilly Elegy.” 

Vance was first elected to the Senate in 2022 with no prior political experience, but he had widespread name recognition in light of his bestselling book. “Hillbilly Elegy,” later turned into a Netflix feature film, detailed Vance’s journey from a childhood riddled with abuse to a Yale Law School degree that opened doors for him in Silicon Valley.  

While Vance was previously critical of Trump, at one point comparing him to an opioid and saying he could be “America’s Hitler,” he changed his tune ahead of his 2022 Senate race. Since then, Vance has become a loyal ally to Trump. He is also close with one of Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr.

– Haley BeMiller and Riley Beggin

Trump officially gets nomination

On Monday, Trump was able to drop the “presumptive” in front of “Republican presidential nominee" after formally locking down his nomination.

Eric Trump delivered the delegates that formally put Trump over the top.

“On behalf of our entire family and on behalf of the 125 delegates in the unbelievable state of Florida, we hereby nominate every single one of them for the greatest president that’s ever lived, and that’s Donald J. Trump, hereby declaring him the Republican nominee for president of the united states of America,” he said.

– Rebecca Morin, David Jackson and Brianne Pfannenstiel