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Republicans attack Biden, abortion rights and nepotism on second night of RNC – live Republicans attack Biden, abortion rights and nepotism on second night of RNC – live
(32 minutes later)
Florida’s former attorney general criticised Biden and his son HunterFlorida’s former attorney general criticised Biden and his son Hunter
First lady Melania Trump offered her condolences to Americans who have lost a loved one to coronavirus. More than 178,000 Americans have now died from the virus.
Trump pledged that her husband would not stop working until an effective treatment or vaccine was developed.
Following an introductory video, first lady Melania Trump appeared at the podium in the White House Rose Garden to deliver her speech.
The first lady’s entrance was greeted with applause from the audience gathered in the Rose Garden.
Trump began by saying she and her husband were “humbled” and “grateful” for the support of voters who brought them victory in 2016.
Trump has now mixed the powers of his office with the spectacle of the convention on two occasions. First he gave a pardon to Jon Ponder, who became a prisoners’ rights advocate after being imprisoned for robbing a bank. Then he naturalized five immigrants in an official ceremony led by Chad Wolf, his acting head of homeland security.
Trump may be exempt from the Hatch Act, which prohibits “engaging in political activities while on duty, in a Government room or building”, but Wolf isn’t, and this hasn’t gone unnoticed.
First lady Melania Trump will soon start delivering her convention speech from the White House Rose Garden.
The audience assembled at the White House applauded as second lady Karen Pence and Vice President Mike Pence arrived to watch the speech, followed by the president.
Speaking from Jerusalem, while he is on a taxpayer-funded diplomatic trip, Mike Pompeo is breaking a longstanding norm for officials to avoid partisanship while representing America abroad.
Eliot Engel, who chairs of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, noted the Pompeo’s appearance violates the State Department’s Foreign Affairs Manual, a memo from Pompoe’s own office, stating that “senate-confirmed Presidential appointees may not even attend a political party convention or convention-related event.”
– Maanvi Singh
Secretary of state Mike Pompeo addressed the Republican convention from Jerusalem.
Pompeo applauded Trump for making Americans’ “freedoms more secure.” “It may not have made him popular in every foreign capital, but it’s worked,” Pompeo said.
The cabinet secretary also applauded Trump for holding China accountable for coronavirus, even though the president repeatedly said at the onset of the outbreak that Beijing had the virus under control.
Among those who appeared at the White House naturalization ceremony presided by Trump were immigrants from Sudan and Lebanon, countries included in Trump’s restricted travel list – which he initially referred to as a “Muslim ban”.
The Trump administration this year added Sudan to his restricted travel list, which includes mostly countries with large Muslim populations. Lebanon was on the original list, which included Venezuela and North Korea along with Muslim-majority nations Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Lebanon.
Trump also imfamously described El Salvador, Haiti and certain African nations as “shithole” countries.
– Maanvi Singh.
Eric Trump also repeated his president’s false claim that Joe Biden has pledged to defund the police.
In reality, Biden has said he does not support the movement to defund the police, which has attracted more attention since the police killing of George Floyd in May.
Eric Trump, the president’s son, echoed previous speakers’ claims that only Trump can protect the country from falling into Democrats’ dangerous hands.
Trump quoted former Republican President Ronald Reagan, who said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction … It must be fought for and protected.”
Trump said, “This is the fight that we are in right now – and it is a fight that only my father can win.”
The president’s son went on to attack Joe Biden as a “career politician” who has been “a total pushover for Communist China”, a message that was emphasized by Donald Trump Jr yesterday as well.
In making a case against Planned Parenthood, Abby Johnson – a former employee of the women’s health clinic who became an anti-abortion activist – raised the point that Margaret Sanger, Planned Parenthood’s founder, suppoorted eugenics.
It’s true that Sanger, who was long lauded as a feminist icon, has a dark legacy – which Planned Parenthood has recently acknowledged. Last month, the Planned Parenthood of Greater New York moved to esased Sanger’s name from its Manhattan health clinic.
The national organization has defended Sanger, citing her work with Black civil rights leaders, but has also condemned some of her beliefs, including her support for sterilization for those with disabilities.
“Planned Parenthood, like many other organizations that have existed for a century or more, is reckoning with our history,” Melanie Roussell Newman, a spokeswoman, said recently in a statement.
– Maanvi Singh
Trump appeared in a prerecorded video of a naturalization ceremony at the White House, continuing tonight’s theme of putting his presidential power on display during the convention.Trump appeared in a prerecorded video of a naturalization ceremony at the White House, continuing tonight’s theme of putting his presidential power on display during the convention.
Acting secretary of homeland security Chad Wolf delivered the oath of citizenship to the five people participating in the ceremony.Acting secretary of homeland security Chad Wolf delivered the oath of citizenship to the five people participating in the ceremony.
The president announced earlier today he was nominating Wolf as the permanent secretary of homeland security.The president announced earlier today he was nominating Wolf as the permanent secretary of homeland security.
Echoing speakers from last night, Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez warned that Democrats were trying to “normalize socialism to dismantle our Constitution.”Echoing speakers from last night, Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez warned that Democrats were trying to “normalize socialism to dismantle our Constitution.”
In reality, Democrats are not trying to dismantle the Constitution, and Democratic nominee Joe Biden does not identify as a socialist.In reality, Democrats are not trying to dismantle the Constitution, and Democratic nominee Joe Biden does not identify as a socialist.
Nuñez’s speech warning of “the socialist takeover of our nation” continued the dark, ominous theme that Republicans established during the first night of the convention, despite promising to deliver an optimistic message to voters.Nuñez’s speech warning of “the socialist takeover of our nation” continued the dark, ominous theme that Republicans established during the first night of the convention, despite promising to deliver an optimistic message to voters.
Here’s some more counterprogramming from the DNC tonight:Here’s some more counterprogramming from the DNC tonight:
Yesterday, the Democrats projected a list of lies from the president onto the Newseum in DC.Yesterday, the Democrats projected a list of lies from the president onto the Newseum in DC.
– MS– MS
Vice President Mike Pence just made his first convention appearance of the night, in a prerecorded video taped at Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood home in Pence’s home state of Indiana.Vice President Mike Pence just made his first convention appearance of the night, in a prerecorded video taped at Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood home in Pence’s home state of Indiana.
In the video, Pence delivered a tribute to Lincoln and spoke to six Americans who said their lives had been positively impacted by the Trump administration.In the video, Pence delivered a tribute to Lincoln and spoke to six Americans who said their lives had been positively impacted by the Trump administration.
The Republican attorney and lobbyist Pam Bondi didn’t hold back while attacking the Biden family, charging Joe and Hunter with nepotism.The Republican attorney and lobbyist Pam Bondi didn’t hold back while attacking the Biden family, charging Joe and Hunter with nepotism.
But as with many parts of the RNC so far – such as the Monday segment that accused Democrats of downplaying the pandemic – there was a certain degree of irony in her remarks. The following speaker was none other than Tiffany Trump, and Eric and Melania’s speeches are yet to come tonight.But as with many parts of the RNC so far – such as the Monday segment that accused Democrats of downplaying the pandemic – there was a certain degree of irony in her remarks. The following speaker was none other than Tiffany Trump, and Eric and Melania’s speeches are yet to come tonight.
Before Bondi spoke, a video promoting women in the White House also featured former Republican governor Mike Huckabee’s daughter Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and Mitt Romney’s niece Ronna Romney McDaniels.Before Bondi spoke, a video promoting women in the White House also featured former Republican governor Mike Huckabee’s daughter Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and Mitt Romney’s niece Ronna Romney McDaniels.
Iowa governor Kim Reynolds applauded Trump for helping her state after the recent devastating derecho.Iowa governor Kim Reynolds applauded Trump for helping her state after the recent devastating derecho.
“Iowans did what you expect Iowans to do. They helped each other. They took care of each other. And they still are,” Reynolds said in her convention speech. “But someone else also had our back: Our president.”“Iowans did what you expect Iowans to do. They helped each other. They took care of each other. And they still are,” Reynolds said in her convention speech. “But someone else also had our back: Our president.”
Reynolds thanked Trump for quickly signing a disaster declaration for the state. The president also visited Iowa for a storm damage update last week, before traveling on to Arizona for a campaign event, which was part of his counterprogramming during the Democratic National Convention.Reynolds thanked Trump for quickly signing a disaster declaration for the state. The president also visited Iowa for a storm damage update last week, before traveling on to Arizona for a campaign event, which was part of his counterprogramming during the Democratic National Convention.
Trump won Iowa by 9 points in 2016, but recent polls have shown a much closer race between the president and Joe Biden in the Hawkeye State.Trump won Iowa by 9 points in 2016, but recent polls have shown a much closer race between the president and Joe Biden in the Hawkeye State.
“Why should there be one standard for the elite political class and another set of rules for the rest of us?” Bondi asked rhetorically.“Why should there be one standard for the elite political class and another set of rules for the rest of us?” Bondi asked rhetorically.
In 2013, Trump made a $25,000 gift from his charity to support Bondi’s reelection as Florida attorney general. Right before, her office decided not to join a lawsuit lodged by New York against Trump University – offering the elite, politically well-connected businessman reprieve.In 2013, Trump made a $25,000 gift from his charity to support Bondi’s reelection as Florida attorney general. Right before, her office decided not to join a lawsuit lodged by New York against Trump University – offering the elite, politically well-connected businessman reprieve.
Trump later paid a fine for making the illegal campaign donation from his charity.Trump later paid a fine for making the illegal campaign donation from his charity.
– Maanvi Singh– Maanvi Singh
The president’s daughter, Tiffany Trump, addressed the Republican convention, saying her father would protect American ideals.The president’s daughter, Tiffany Trump, addressed the Republican convention, saying her father would protect American ideals.
“Like so many students across the world, I graduated from law school during the pandemic,” Trump said.“Like so many students across the world, I graduated from law school during the pandemic,” Trump said.
“Our generation is unified in facing the future in uncertain times – and many of us are considering what kind of country we want to live in.”“Our generation is unified in facing the future in uncertain times – and many of us are considering what kind of country we want to live in.”
That comment was noteworthy, considering Joe Biden currently holds a more than 20-point lead over Trump among voters between 18 and 29.That comment was noteworthy, considering Joe Biden currently holds a more than 20-point lead over Trump among voters between 18 and 29.
“You see, Make America Great Again is not a slogan for my father, it is what drives him to keep his promise of doing what is right for American citizens,” Trump said. “A vote for my father, Donald J Trump, is a vote to uphold our American ideals.”“You see, Make America Great Again is not a slogan for my father, it is what drives him to keep his promise of doing what is right for American citizens,” Trump said. “A vote for my father, Donald J Trump, is a vote to uphold our American ideals.”
Fact check: Hunter Biden
Pam Bondi, the former Attorney General of Florida, has poured out a cascade of lies and misleading statements about Joe Biden’s record in Ukraine and his son Hunter Biden’s entanglement.
Joe Biden’s push to remove a Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin was supported by American allies, the International Monetary Fund and Ukrainian anti-corruption activists. There is no evidence that Hunter Biden, who was working for a Ukrainian firm, was under investigation by Shokin.
Here’s more background:
– Maanvi Singh
The convention played a video highlighting the women who work in the Trump administration, an apparent attempt to win over women voters.
A recent Fox News poll showed Joe Biden is 12 points ahead of Trump among women voters, which could seriously complicate the president’s path to victory in November.
Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, focused her convention speech on Hunter Biden, the son of Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Republicans have accused the younger Biden of corruption in his foreign business dealings, allegations that the Bidens have repeatedly denied.
Republicans tried to make Biden’s business activity a key focus of Trump’s impeachment trial earlier this year.
But Democrats said the president’s allies were only trying to distract from Trump’s efforts to pressure Ukraine into interfering with the presidential election.
Despite the US reporting 38,045 new coronavirus cases and 450 deaths yesterday, and the total death toll now approaching 180,000, Trump’s top economic adviser Larry Kudlow has just referred to the pandemic in the past tense.
It hasn’t gone down well among some viewers:
Cissie Graham Lynch, the grandaughter evangelist Billy Graham, made this striking comment about the freedom of religion, and religious prosecution: “In America, we have not yet experienced physical persecution, even though the left has tried to silence us.”
Of course, people of color in America have experienced plenty of prosecution – for practicing their first amendment rights, including their freedom to practice religion from the very beginning. Native Americans were persecuted for practicing their religion and conducting tribal ceremonies.
– Maanvi Singh
Nicholas Sandmann, the Covington Catholic student who became a symbol of conservatives’ claims of liberal media bias, is now addressing the Republican convention.
Continuing the theme from last night, Sandmann denounced “cancel culture.” Recounting his experience last year after an encounter with a Native American activist, Sandmann said, “I learned that what was happening to me had a name. It was called being cancelled.”
Sandmann’s speech was the latest indication that the Republican convention would be defined by inflaming culture wars.
Cissie Graham Lynch, the granddaughter of the prominent evangelical leader Billy Graham, praised Trump as a defender of religious freedom.
Lynch criticized Democrats for trying to “allow boys to compete in girls’ sports and use girls’ locker rooms”, apparently belittling and misrepresenting transgender rights.
Larry Kudlow mentioned the Trump payroll tax deferral, that many lawmakers on both sides of the aisle oppose.
Trump has attempted to defer the payroll tax liabilities during the pandemic, though the government has yet to issue guidance on how that would work. Trump has also said that if he wins the election, he’ll permanently eliminate the tax, which funds the social security program.
On Monday, the chief actuary of the Social Security Administration said the federal government’s ability to found the program would end by mid-2023 if Trump’s wish to eliminate the payroll tax came true. The president lacks the authority to unilaterally make that move, and Congress – which is run by Democrats, and includes many Republicans who’d oppose the policy – is unlikely to help him along.
– Maanvi Singh
White House senior adviser Larry Kudlow praised Trump for acting “swiftly and effectively” to save the US economy amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Eerily referring to the pandemic as if it were over, Kudlow warned that Joe Biden’s economic policies would “pick the pockets of taxpayers and drain money from their wallets and purses”.
The message struck many as odd, considering the US unemployment rate is currently at 10.2%, and tens of millions of Americans remain unemployed because of the financial effects of the pandemic.
In his convention speech, Republican Senator Rand Paul sharply criticized Joe Biden for voting for the Iraq war, while praising Trump for opposing the war.
But as a CNN reporter noted, Trump initially supported the war but later became one of its critics more than a year after it began. Biden has also since said his vote for the war was a mistake.