Republican National Convention Day 2 Highlights: Trump’s VP Pick, Speeches, and More

Prominent GOP leaders and Republican voters made their pitch to Americans across the country on the second day of the Republican National Convention, focusing on safety issues including crime, human and drug trafficking, and border security.

Republicans criticized President Joe Biden’s handling of the southern border, the opioid epidemic, and more. A group of conservative lawmakers addressed the GOP agenda if Republicans hold onto power in the House and pick up the Senate and White House this fall.

Some of Trump’s most vocal allies took the stage on Monday, including Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. And some of the former president’s 2024 Republican primary rivals − including former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis − also called on Americans to grant the former president another term in office.

On Monday, Trump announced his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio. Vance was formally nominated as Trump’s VP pick.

The convention is underway in the shadows of an assassination attempt against Trump, at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, over the weekend. An attendee at the campaign stop was killed, and two others were seriously injured.

Keep up with the USA TODAY Network’s live coverage of the 2024 Republican convention.