JD Vance to Give Major Address at Republican National Convention
JD Vance will deliver his first major speech as Donald Trump’s running mate on Wednesday, focusing on foreign policy during the third day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Key Speakers and Theme
Vance will be introduced by his wife, Usha, and preceded by Donald Trump Jr. The theme for Wednesday – “Make America Strong Once Again” – addresses internal divisions within the party on how to handle the war in Ukraine. Earlier this year, House Speaker Mike Johnson narrowly passed a bill to provide additional funding for Ukraine, facing loud objections from some Republicans.
Additional Speakers
Other notable speakers include former Trump adviser Peter Navarro, who was recently released from prison after serving a four-month sentence for refusing to comply with a congressional subpoena. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, representatives Matt Gaetz, Nancy Mace, and Ronny Jackson, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich are also expected to address the convention.
Focus on Foreign Policy
The day provides an opportunity for Republicans to critique Joe Biden’s handling of the US military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and the war between Israel and Gaza.
Republican Criticism of Biden
Some Republicans have already begun attacking Biden’s foreign policy. “When Donald Trump was president, Putin did nothing. No invasions. No wars. That was no accident. Putin didn’t attack Ukraine because he knew Donald Trump was tough. A strong president doesn’t start wars. A strong president prevents wars,” said Nikki Haley on Tuesday.
Convention Highlights
The convention has focused on different themes each day, addressing crime and safety on Tuesday and the economy on Monday. The four-day event has been a full-on coronation for Trump, marking his dramatic return to the campaign trail after surviving an assassination attempt over the weekend. Trump’s stronghold on the party has been underscored by support from his former challengers, Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who both backed Trump in their speeches on Tuesday. “You don’t have to agree with Trump 100% of the time to vote for him. Take it from me. I haven’t always agreed with President Trump. But we agree more often than we disagree,” Haley remarked.
Tuesday’s Highlights
On Tuesday, speakers highlighted crimes they attributed to the Biden administration. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, for example, discussed Americans killed by undocumented immigrants. Madeline Brame, one of the convention’s ordinary American speakers, blamed Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for not prosecuting her son’s killer.
Additional speakers on Tuesday included Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Marco Rubio, Elise Stefanik, Ben Carson, Rick Scott, and Tom Cotton.