Milwaukee, July 17: The third day of the Republican National Convention kicks off Wednesday with Republicans – led by the newly nominated Donald Trump and his running mate, US Sen. JD Vance of Ohio – shifting their focus to issues of national security and foreign policy.
Republicans are expected to focus on Democratic President Joe Biden’s handling of the ongoing crises in Europe and the Middle East. Former Trump administration officials are also expected to take the stage to outline what foreign policy would look like if he returns to the White House for a second term.
Vance will also introduce himself to a national audience Wednesday evening when he delivers his first speech as the Republican vice-presidential nominee.
‘A pleasant conversation’
The mayor of Milwaukee says former President Trump called him Tuesday, and the two had “a pleasant conversation.” “Mr. Trump had positive things to say about his experience so far here in Milwaukee,” Mayor Cavalier Johnson said at an early-morning briefing. “He shared his gratitude for the security and for law enforcement preparations.” The mayor said he wished Trump a speedy recovery during the phone call, which Johnson said lasted two to three minutes.
Out-of-state officers shoot, kill a man wielding two knives
Milwaukee’s mayor says he was saddened by the death of a man shot by a group of bicycle police from Columbus, Ohio, who were in town to help with convention security.
The officers were briefing each other on the day’s activities Tuesday when they witnessed a man with two knives lunge at an unarmed man, Mayor Cavalier Johnson said at an early-morning briefing.
Police body camera footage of the encounter was released Tuesday.
“The information we have leaves a clear impression that these Columbus officers, they saved the life of an unarmed man from death or perhaps serious injury,” Johnson said.
The shooting occurred about 1.2 kilometres from the convention arena, near a park where demonstrators have been protesting this week.
Five members of the Columbus, Ohio, police department fired on the man, who had a knife in each hand, refused police commands and charged at an unarmed man before police fired, Milwaukee Chief Jeffrey Norman said at a news conference on Tuesday.
Two knives were recovered from the scene, the chief said.
“Someone’s life was in danger,” Norman said. “These officers, who were not from this area, took it upon themselves to act and save someone’s life today.”
Thousands of officers from multiple jurisdictions are in Milwaukee providing additional security for the convention that began Monday and concludes Thursday.
The shooting fuelled anger from residents who questioned why out-of-state officers were in their neighbourhood located about a mile from the convention site.
The Columbus Police Department, as well as the chief of staff for Milwaukee’s mayor and a spokesperson for the convention’s joint command centre, all said there was nothing to suggest the shooting was related to the convention itself.
Vance to introduce himself
Trump’s running mate Vance will introduce himself to a national audience Wednesday as he addresses the Republican National Convention.
The Ohio senator’s headlining address will be his first speech as the Republican vice-presidential nominee. He’s a relative political unknown who rapidly morphed in recent years from a severe critic of Trump to an aggressive defender.
Vance, 39, is positioned to become the next potential leader of the former president’s political movement, which has reshaped the Republican Party and busted many longtime political norms.
The first millennial to join a major party ticket, he joins the race when questions about the age of the men at the top of the tickets – 78-year-old Trump and 81-year-old President Biden – have been high on the list of voters’ concerns. (AP)
