The second night of the Republican National Convention saw the party pitch its vision of America as the land of opportunity, with President Donald Trump and his supporters focusing on his criminal justice reform efforts, defending the unborn and fighting for small business owners.
Trump opened up Tuesday night’s events with a focus on his criminal justice reform efforts and issued a full pardon to convicted bank robber Jon Ponder, who now devotes his life to helping former inmates lead successful lives. Trump and Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf also conducted a surprise naturalization ceremony for five new U.S. citizens at the White House.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 26, 2020
The RNC’s second night was marred somewhat after the party was forced to cancel a speech by “angel mom” Mary Ann Mendoza after the Daily Beast uncovered past tweets from her endorsing anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.
NEW: The Trump campaign confirms “angel mom” Mary Ann Mendoza has been removed from tonight’s speaking lineup following the resurfacing of Tweets supporting an antisemitic QAnon theory.
— Alex Salvi (@alexsalvinews) August 26, 2020
Los Angeles Rev. Norma Urrabazo blessed the night’s proceedings and opened by praying for the family of Jacob Blake, who was shot in the back by a police officer Sunday in Wisconsin. Blake’s hometown of Kenosha is currently suffering violent unrest in the wake of the shooting, and Urrabazo also prayed for the law enforcement officers keeping the peace in the city. (RELATED: ‘It’s Kind Of Hard Just To Sit At Home’: 15-Year-Old Kenosha Resident Cleans Up After Rioters Destroy Parts Of The City)
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 26, 2020
In keeping with the night’s theme, small business owners and farmers from the Midwest spoke about the opportunity they’ve experienced under the Trump administration, saying Trump was the only one willing to stand up to China’s trade policies.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 26, 2020
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 26, 2020
Tuesday night was also the first to focus heavily on pro-life issues. Pro-life activist Abby Johnson spoke about her conversion from an ardent pro-choicer and Planned Parenthood employee to the founder of And Then There Were None, an organization determined to entirely ending abortion in the U.S.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 26, 2020
Covington Catholic Student Nick Sandmann also delivered a speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial decrying cancel culture and the media, which “willingly” spread a false story about Sandmann’s interaction with a Native American protester last year.
pic.twitter.com/HPiYe2Kcxz https://t.co/5TxPxdJ4Fh
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 26, 2020
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo addressed the convention from halfway across the world in Jerusalem, Israel.
“The primary constitutional function of the national government is ensuring your family – and mine – are safe and enjoy the freedom to live, work, learn and worship as they choose,” he said. “Delivering on this duty to keep us safe and our freedoms intact, this president has led bold initiatives in nearly every corner of the world.”
Pompeo’s speech highlighted Trump’s actions to curb China’s economic influence over the U.S. and his recent success in negotiating a peace deal between the United Arab Emirates and Israel.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 26, 2020
The second major speech came from First Lady Melania Trump, who highlighted her “Be Best” campaign, which focuses on ending bullying in schools and giving young people the tools to succeed.
“Helping children is not a political goal. It is our moral imperative,” she said.
The first lady also addressed the racial unrest in the U.S.
“We must remember that today we are all one community, comprised of many races, religions and ethnicities,” she said. “Our diverse and storied history is what makes our country strong, and yet we still have so much to learn from one another.”
“I also ask people to stop the violence and looting being done in the name of justice and to never make assumptions based on the color of a person’s skin,” she added. “Instead of tearing things down, let’s reflect on our mistakes, be proud of our evolution and look to our way forward.”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 26, 2020
Thursday night is set to include Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, Ivanka and Lara Trump, Rudy Giuliani and a host of others. The keynote speaker will be Vice President Mike Pence as he once again accepts the Republican nomination for Vice President of the United States.
Tuesday night’s programming also featured speeches from:
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul
Eric Trump
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds
Tiffany Trump
Ex-Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi
You can watch Tuesday night’s entire program below.
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