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Anti-transgender, anti-immigrant and other bigotry aimed toward marginalized communities will likely permeate the event.
The Republican National Convention officially kicked off Monday in Milwaukee, where delegates from across the nation have gathered to nominate former PresidentDonald Trump for the 2024 presidential election. The convention, hosted at the Fiserv Forum, runs until Thursday and promises to be a landmark event for theRepublican Party.
It comes only days after the attempted assassination of Trump in Pennsylvania at one of his political rallies. One attendee was killed. Secret Service agents took down the gunman.
This year’s convention is marked by unified support for Trump, a stark contrast to the divided sentiment of previous years. While theDemocratic Party navigates internal debates about PresidentJoe Biden’s re-election bid, the GOP will enthusiastically rally behind Trump.
Delegates will spend the next four days engaging in key convention activities, including ratifying the party platform and formally nominating Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance.The convention will also feature speeches from influential figures within the party to consolidate support and outline the party’s vision moving forward.
The event will emphasize critical issues such as immigration, the economy, and social policies, reflecting the party’s core priorities.
The city of Milwaukee has implemented extensive security measures, effectively turning the convention area into a fortress within a fortress, according to local police officials, NBC Newsreports. These precautions respond to the expected protests and heightened political tensions surrounding the event. Precautions were also upped after the deadly shooting on Saturday.
State delegations will gather each morning for breakfast meetings featuring prominent speakers, setting the stage for the day’s events. Throughout the day, delegates will participate in a range of programs and seminars and conduct official business, including voting on the Republican Party platform.
Following a last-minute schedule change,Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who ran and lost his bid for the presidency in the GOP primary, was announced as a speaker, NBC Newsreports. Meanwhile, formerSouth Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, a previous critic of Trump who also ran against him in the primary and lost, was originally not be attending but added as a speaker on Sunday, the Associated Press reports.According toPolitico, her spokesperson confirmed that Haley had released her delegates to support Trump and wished him success.
The convention will also feature policy discussions from influential conservative groups like the Heritage Foundation behind Project 2025. The plan, which includes proposals for significant and dangerous governmental reforms, will be a focal point during the event. Salonreports that delegates will have the opportunity to engage with these ideas during a dedicated policy symposium.
Moms for Liberty, an organization known for opposing transgender rights and critical race theory, will host a panel discussion. The Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled this group as extremist, reflecting the controversial nature of some of the event’s participants. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel alsoreports that Kyle Rittenhouse, known for his involvement in a fatal shooting during a protest in Kenosha after the shooting of a Black man led to protest and unrest, is expected to make an appearance.
One of the most anticipated moments was when Trump announced his vice-presidential running mate. Potential candidates included North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance. In the end Trump announced that Vance would be his veep.
Each convention night will feature themed sessions, with the vice-presidential candidate traditionally speaking on Wednesday. Trump is slated to formally accept the nomination on Thursday evening.
GLAAD, in a fact sheet for reporters, noted thatLGBTQ+ issues are likely to be addressed from a far-right point of view. This includes pushing for potential bans ontransgender military service and restrictions on transgender people’s participation in sports on teams that align with their gender identity. Additionally, policies allowing businesses to refuse service based on religious beliefs and efforts to defund schools supporting transgender students are expected to be highlighted.
