Trump captures majority of delegate votes for GOP nomination

It’s official — Donald Trump has captured the Republican Party presidential nomination. Here on the opening day of the GOP convention, Trump captured a majority of votes from delegates during a roll-call of states. It makes Trump the Republican standard-bearer for the third consecutive election. He reached the necessary threshold with votes from his home state of Florida, announced by his son Eric. And delegates here inside the convention hall cheered wildly as they voiced their support for another Trump term at the White House.

Judge dismisses Trump’s classified docs criminal case

Donald Trump’s classified documents case has been dismissed by a federal judge in Florida. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has thrown out the classified documents charges against Trump, saying the special counsel is not authorized to conduct the prosecution. The ruling is a huge legal victory for the former president and it comes on the opening day of the Republican National Convention here in Wisconsin, where he is set to formally receive the party’s 2024 nomination. In June of last year, Trump pleaded not guilty to mishandling secret documents and obstructing justice.

GOP delegates push to reinstate pro-life platform language

Some pro-life leaders at the GOP convention want changes to the Republican Party’s 2024 platform. Nearly two dozen National Committee Platform delegates are urging the party’s leadership to take a stronger stance for the unborn. They point out that specific pro-life language, which has been included in each GOP platform for nearly 50 years, was removed from the 2024 platform. One of the platform delegates is Tony Perkins, chairman of Family Research Council Action, and he urges grassroots conservatives to express their support for keeping the Republican Party “solidly pro-life” by signing a petition to the RNC.

Biden campaign grapples with balancing act after Trump shooting

President Biden and his campaign face a balancing act following the assassination attempt against Donald Trump. The president’s re-election team is grappling with how to manage both the political fallout of the shooting and compete in the ongoing race for the White House against Donald Trump. Out of respect, the Biden campaign suspended its communications and TV ads on Saturday and the president’s scheduled travel to Texas was postponed. White House and campaign officials are trying to figure the best path forward for Joe Biden — both as the sitting president in a time of tragedy and as a candidate trying to defeat Trump in November.

Republican National Convention opens in Milwaukee

Trump picks Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio as running mate

Donald Trump has selected Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio to be his running mate. Waiting until the first day of the Republican National Convention here in Wisconsin, the former president announced Vance as his vice presidential pick. He’s a 39-year-old lawmaker who’s relatively new to national politics. A one-time Trump critic, Vance is now a staunch champion of the “Make America Great Again” agenda. Trump said Vance “will be strongly focused” on workers and farmers, especially in the all-important states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

Biden orders security review for Republican National Convention

President Biden is ordering a review of all security measures around this week’s Republican National Convention after the Trump assassination attempt. Flanked by his top law enforcement and homeland security officials, President Biden said he was committed to providing former President Trump with every necessary protective measure. He also is taking steps to keep the GOP convention safe here in Milwaukee. Not only is the president demanding a “thorough and swift” FBI review of the shooting, he’s calling for an independent review of the security at Saturday’s rally “to assess exactly what happened.”

Biden calls for unity, orders “thorough and swift” review of Trump shooting

President Biden is calling for American unity in the aftermath of deadly gun violence at Donald Trump’s campaign rally. A day after the shooting in Pennsylvania, the president continues to denounce the violence. Mr. Biden said unity is “the most elusive goal of all.” He also said he was “sincerely grateful” that Donald Trump is recovering from his injury, and is making sure the former president has every protective measure he needs.

After shooting, Trump thanks God for saving his life

Former President Trump is thanking God for saving his life from a would-be assassin. A day after being injured by a shooter at a campaign rally, Trump wrote on social media “it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening.” He offered prayers and love for the other shooting victims. He went on to say “We will fear not, but instead remain resilient in our faith and defiant in the face of wickedness.” The former president said he looks forward to addressing the nation from this week’s Republican National Convention here in Wisconsin. GC, Milwaukee.

RNC, Trump officials say convention will proceed after shooting

Secret Service faces questions after Trump rally shooting

The Secret Service is facing questions in the aftermath of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
Members of both political parties, including Joe Biden and Donald Trump, are praising the fast action of Secret Service agents. But there also are serious questions being asked how a gunman could have gotten so close to the former president and fired so many shots — one of them striking Trump in the ear. House Speaker Mike Johnson and the chairman of the House Oversight Committee said there would be hearings to investigate what happened.

Biden speaks with Trump after shooting, calls for unity

President Biden spoke with Donald Trump following an attack on the former president at a Pennsylvania rally. The president was at church in Delaware Saturday evening when shots were fired at the Trump rally. After learning of the incident and getting briefed by officials, Mr. Biden condemned the attack. He also spoke to Trump by phone and said he was grateful to hear that he was safe. Mr. Biden called for unity and later returned to the White House to continue monitoring developments following the assassination attempt.

Former U.S. presidents react to Trump assassination attempt

Three former American presidents issued statements following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Bill Clinton wrote that violence has no place in America, especially in our political process.” He said he and Hillary are “thankful that President Trump is safe.” George W. Bush, who described the attack as cowardly, said he and Laura “are grateful that President Trump is safe.” And Barack Obama said “we should all be relieved that…[Trump]…wasn’t seriously hurt, and that he and Michelle wish him a “quick recovery.” Obama also said the country should “use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics.”

Bullet pierced Trump’s ear at political rally in Pennsylvania

Former President Trump was injured when shots rang out at his rally in Pennsylvania. A political rally turned into a chaotic crime scene when Trump was shot just a few minutes into his speech. Blood could be seen on the former president’s face as he was rushed away by Secret Service officers. The gunman was shot and killed by authorities. In a statement on social media, Trump wrote that he was “shot with a bullet that pierced” the upper part of his right ear.” Trump extended condolences to the family of the deceased spectator and the other attendee who was injured. He closed his statement by saying “God bless America.”

Biden denounces violence that injured Trump at rally

Biden no longer a “bridge” to next generation of leaders

President Biden explains why he’s no longer willing to be a “bridge” to the next generation of leaders. During the 2020 presidential campaign, Joe Biden called himself a bridge to the next generation of leaders. As he runs for reelection here in 2024, the president was asked what changed. He said “the gravity of the situation” he inherited. He told a press conference that his support among voters was strong and he would stay in the race and would win.

Biden: I don’t need to undergo cognitive testing

President Biden says he doesn’t need to undergo cognitive testing. Responding to questions about his mental sharpness, the president said he took three “significant and intense neurological exams” conducted by a neurologist, most recently in February. And he’s open to more testing if it’s recommended by his doctors. Mr. Biden also said that he’s “tested every single day” as he tackles the challenges of the presidency.

Biden believes he’s best qualified Democrat to beat Trump

President Biden isn’t budging even though more and more lawmakers are calling for him to end his reelection campaign. At this week’s press conference, the president said he will stay in the race until his staff says there’s no way he can win. He also fielded a question about whether Democratic delegates can vote their conscience at the August convention, saying that’s the democratic process but “it’s not going to happen.” The president said there’s no indication that he can’t get the job done.

Biden resists Democrat pressure to withdraw from 2024 race

President Biden is resisting Democratic pressure to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. During a highly-anticipated press conference, the president forcefully defended his policies and dismissed Democratic concerns about his campaign’s viability.  He insisted his support among voters was strong and he would stay in the race and would win.

Under scrutiny, Biden makes untimely flubs at NATO summit

President Biden made some untimely verbal flubs with his political future in doubt. Facing intense scrutiny over his advanced age and mental acuity, the president made a gaffe at the NATO summit when he introduced Ukrainian President Zelensky, calling him “President Putin.” Later, at a high-stake press conference, Mr. Biden mistakenly identified his own vice president, Kamala Harris. He referred to her as “Vice President Trump.” The president insisted he’s up to the job and is the best qualified candidate in the race.

Radio station edited Biden interview at campaign’s request

There’s more fallout from a Biden radio interview that took place after the presidential debate. We learned last weekend that the Biden campaign sent approved questions to two Black radio hosts who interviewed the president. Now, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that a Wisconsin-based talk-radio network also agreed to the Biden campaign’s request to make two edits to its interview with the president before airing it. Civic Media said its decision to make the tweaks fell short of “journalistic interview standards.”

Trump urges NY criminal conviction thrown out

Donald Trump is urging the judge in his New York criminal trial to overturn his conviction and dismiss the case. In a new court filing, Trump’s lawyers ask for the dismissal citing the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity. They argue that evidence used during the trial included “official acts” that Trump took as president. Specifically, the legal team cites some of Trump’s conversations with then-White House Communications Director Hope Hicks and some tweets that he sent while president. Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election.

U.S. announces new $225 million aid package for Ukraine

The United States has announced a new 225-million dollar aid package for Ukraine. President Biden made the announcement during a meeting with Ukraine’s president on the sidelines of the NATO Summit. The aid package includes a Patriot missile system to bolster its air defenses against a deadly onslaught of Russian airstrikes. And Mr. Biden later reiterated his unwavering support for Ukraine.

Biden hopes to quiet Democrat doubts at news conference

President Biden will try to quiet doubts about his abilities at a late-day news conference in Washington.
The president will face questions from the White House press corps at the conclusion of the NATO summit. Mr. Biden and his campaign hope to use the event to fend off continued calls for him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, given concerns about his age and mental fitness. He has argued he had a “bad night” at the debate two weeks ago and believes a strong performance this afternoon will convince members of his party that he still has the ability both to win in November and to serve a second term.