DNC 2024 highlights: Tim Walz gives keynote speech to cap third night of convention

Trump blasted Josh Shapiro tonight as a "highly overrated Jewish Governor," the latest of his recent attacks on Jewish Democrats.

"The highly overrated Jewish Governor of the Great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, made a really bad and poorly delivered speech," Trump wrote in a post to Truth Social.

"Shapiro has done nothing for Israel, and never will," he added.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., appeared at the sit-in protest for Gaza outside the United Center, where she spoke to protesters and pledged her support. She entered the crowd, hugged one of the leaders and began crying.

"I hate that we have to beg for our humanity to be recognized," she said as she wiped her tears. "As those who came before us never lost hope, we are not going to lose hope. And I am in this with you all for as long as it takes."

As she walked away, someone in the crowd shouted, "That's our congresswoman." Omar, one of the first Muslim women to serve in Congress, has been an outspoken critic of Israel's handling of the war against Hamas.

Walz introduced himself to his largest audience yet tonight as he capped off the third day of his party’s convention, touting his vision of “freedom” and excoriating the GOP.

“When Republicans use the word ‘freedom,’ they mean that the government should be free to invade your doctor’s office, corporations free to pollute your air and water and banks free to take advantage of customers,” Walz told the crowd. “But when we Democrats talk about freedom, we mean ... freedom to make your own health care decisions, your kids’ freedom to go to school without worrying about being shot.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., posted on X tonight about the Israel-Hamas war and urged the Democratic convention to honor the loss of Palestinians killed.

"Just as we must honor the humanity of hostages, so too must we center the humanity of the 40,000 Palestinians killed under Israeli bombardment," Ocasio-Cortez wrote. "To deny that story is to participate in the dehumanization of Palestinians. The @DNC must change course and affirm our shared humanity."

Ocasio-Cortez included a post referring to a Vanity Fair article by Ta-Nehisi Coates that said "no Palestinian American is scheduled to address the convention from the main stage. I suspect this is because of what such a speaker might feel compelled to say.”

In his benediction to close out the third night of the convention, Chicago Alderman William Hall, who represents over 50,000 people, called for peace in the Middle East.

"Let there be peace tonight, peace in Palestine, peace for Palestinians, peace for Israelis. When we come together, we win," he said.

The third night of the Democratic National Convention is over.

The last night of the event is tomorrow, when Harris will deliver her speech accepting the presidential nomination.

Walz walked off to Neil Young’s "Rockin’ in the Free World."

Young does not blanket-license his music. Instead, Young had to approve the campaign’s use of the song himself, which he did.  

Walz's walk-off song is particularly noteworthy because, in 2015, Young sued to stop Trump from using it.  

Walz selected the song himself, and it’s among his favorites, according to people familiar with the planning.  

Walz spoke for 15½ minutes tonight in accepting the nomination for vice president.

It was the shortest speech by a VP nominee since at least 1984.

In 2020, Harris spoke for 18½ minutes in her acceptance speech.

Organizers of the convention put the Walz family up front during his speech so they could get to the stage faster after his remarks.

He was joined by his wife, Gwen; their children, Hope and Gus; and extended family.

Walz leaned into his "coach" title at the end of his speech, delivering a fourth-quarter pep talk to the crowd.

"Our job for everyone watching is to get in the trenches and do the blocking and tackling, 1 inch at a time, 1 yard at a time, one phone call at a time, one door knock at a time, one $5 donation at a time," he said.

He pointed to the proximity to November, saying, "There'll be time to sleep when you're dead."

"We're gonna leave it on the field," he said.

Walz attacked Project 2025, referring to the plan drawn up by Trump allies for the next GOP administration as a "playbook."

"Look, I coached high school football long enough to know — and trust me on this — when somebody takes the time to draw up a playbook, they're going to use it," he said. "It’s an agenda nobody asked for. It’s an agenda that serves nobody except the richest and the most extreme amongst us."

Walz also called the plan "weird," using the attack against Republicans he coined last month. "Is it weird? Absolutely, absolutely, but it's also wrong and it's dangerous," he said.

Walz isn't the first speaker to mention Project 2025 at the Democratic convention. Celebrities like Mindy Kaling and Kenan Thompson referred to it onstage this evening.

Walz resurfaced his not-so-humble brag about being a "better shot than most Republicans in Congress."

He does have the trophies to prove it, having won annual congressional clay shooting competitions.

But as a father, he said his first responsibility is keeping kids safe from guns.

"I believe in the Second Amendment, but I also believe that our first responsibility is to keep our kids safe," he said. 'That’s what this is all about."

Walz discussed how he and his wife experienced infertility, calling it "hell" and recounting the "agony" he felt when treatments did not work.

He highlighted how they had access to fertility treatment, noting that when his daughter was born, they named her Hope.

The camera cut to Walz's family, and Hope made a heart gesture toward her dad. Walz's son, Gus, applauded and mouthed, "That's my dad."

Vance this week accused Walz of lying about having an in vitro fertilization experience after his wife said this week she underwent intrauterine insemination. Walz has repeatedly discussed having used fertility treatments, citing their children as being the product of "reproductive health care like IVF." Both IUI and IVF are forms of fertility treatment, and doctors have said it is common to conflate the two procedures.

Harris-Walz campaign spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg said in a statement Tuesday that Walz “was using commonly understood shorthand for fertility treatments."

Walz talked about his tenure as Minnesota's governor and what he has been able to accomplish in that role, including passing paid family and medical leave and addressing issues in schools.

"We made sure that every kid in our state gets breakfast and lunch every day. So while other states were banning books from their schools, we were banishing hunger from ours," he said.

Walz was taking aim at school districts in states where conservatives have banned books for a variety of reasons.

Walz spoke about making the move from teacher to congressman and how his background in education helped him.

"So there I was, a 40-something high school teacher with little kids, zero political experience and no money, running in a deep-red district," he said.

"But you know what?" he added. "Never underestimate a public school teacher."

Walz started his acceptance speech by thanking Harris for putting her trust in him and inviting him to be part of the campaign.

He also thanked Biden for "four years of strong, historic leadership." There were sporadic "thank you, Joe" chants in the crowd.

Ben Ingman, a former student and neighbor of Walz's, offered high praise for the Minnesota governor, who he said was both his geography teacher and coach for seventh grade basketball and track.

"Tim Walz is the kind of guy you can count on to push you out of a snowbank. I know this because Tim Walz has pushed me out of a snowbank," Ingman said.

Ingman said Walz took on the role as seventh grade coach after he called around the district to see whether there were any positions he could fill "to make a little extra money" to help a high school student facing debt.

Harris has spent the last two weeks making trips to Howard University in Washington, D.C., for debate preparations and speechwriting sessions to craft and iron out the acceptance speech she plans to deliver tomorrow night, according to two sources familiar with her preparations.

Since she came to Chicago, Harris has spent hours tweaking her speech with aides, though it was largely finished by yesterday morning, the sources said.

Harris has been focused on striking the right balance of showing a contrast between herself and Trump. That includes explaining what America could look like if she and Democrats are able to hold onto the presidency and gather more power in Congress and other elected offices, a source familiar with the preparations said.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota delivered a nominating speech for Walz, praising him and saying that in Minnesota, they love "a dad in plaid."

She brought up his "Midwestern common sense" and highlighted his background as a former football coach and public school teacher, before she pivoted his legislative accomplishments.

"Tim has delivered paid leave, school lunches and the biggest tax cut in Minnesota history," she said.

John Legend and Sheila E. played a tribute to Prince tonight with the song "Let’s Go Crazy."

The song originally appeared on the album "Purple Rain" in 1984.

Prince grew up in Minneapolis. Tonight's performance preceded remarks by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and the keynote speech by Walz.

Buttigieg brought politics into personal terms, sharing what dinnertime is like with his husband and two children.

Buttigieg, the first openly gay Cabinet secretary who was Senate-confirmed for his Cabinet position, said the makeup of his kitchen table was "literally impossible" just a few decades ago.

"This kind of life went from impossible to possible, from possible to real, from real to almost ordinary in less than half a lifetime," Buttigieg said.

Oprah Winfrey paid tribute to civil rights icon Tessie Prevost Williams, who died last month after a series of medical complications.

Prevost Williams, who was known as one of the “New Orleans Four," helped to integrate public schools in the South. As a 6-year-old, she sat in a classroom alone with one other little girl after the parents of white children refused to send their kids to school when they learned Black students would attend.

"They broke barriers, and they paid dearly for it," Winfrey said.

"It was the grace and guts and courage of women like Tessie Prevost Williams that paved the way for another young girl who nine years later became part of the second class to integrate the public schools of Berkeley, California," she said of Harris.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joked at the beginning of his remarks that people might recognize him from his appearances on Fox News.

"Here is a sentence I never thought I'd hear myself saying: I'm Pete Buttigieg, and you might recognize me from Fox News," he said with a chuckle.

Buttigieg is speaking at the convention in a personal capacity, not as secretary of transportation.

Oprah Winfrey delivered a passionate endorsement for Harris to a roaring audience, urging voters to "choose joy."

"Let us choose truth," she said. "Let us choose honor, and let us choose joy!"

Winfrey, whose endorsement of former President Barack Obama in the 2008 election dramatically shook up the Democratic primaries, highlighted Harris’ upbringing, saying Americans would soon be teaching children about how the daughter of immigrants “grew up to become the 47th president of the United States.”

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore recalled Harris being among the first to call him in March after a bridge collapse in Baltimore killed six people and shut down an international port.

"You learn everything you need to know about somebody when times are hard and when the temperature gets turned up. And America, I saw that Kamala Harris is the right one to lead in this moment firsthand," Moore said.

He added that Harris had helped bring closure to the victims' families and that the reopening of the Port of Baltimore, which occurred in June, had been completed within weeks, "because that is the story of America."

Amanda Gorman, who in 2021 became the youngest poet to perform at a presidential inauguration, once again brought her words of courage, civility and unity to a Democratic stage.

Tonight she echoed the title of Barack Obama's autobiography "The Audacity of Hope" when she described the American dream.

"Tomorrow is not written by our odds of hardship but by the audacity of our hope, by the vitality of our vote," she said. "Only now approaching this rare air are we aware that perhaps the American Dream is no dream at all, but instead a dare to dream together, like a million roots, tethered, branching up, humbly, making one tree."

In the morality play that yielded a new Democratic presidential nominee last month, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., could be seen as a heroine who risked a political backlash to save her party’s chances in November or a villain who bloodlessly, needlessly and rashly pushed aside its sitting president.

When she stepped to the lectern at the convention tonight — as a two-time speaker of the House who voluntarily gave up her own power last year after she helped deliver the legislative agendas of Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden — she was greeted as a favorite.

Read the full story here.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro leaned into the message of freedom, arguing that Democrats "are the party of real freedom."

He cast education, public safety, union rights and marriage equality in terms of freedom.

“Hear me on this: It’s not freedom to tell our children what books they're allowed to read," said Shapiro, who had been a top contender to be Harris’ running mate.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada talked about working with Harris when the two were attorneys general for their respective states.

Cortez Masto said she worked with Harris to "protect our southern border" when Harris was attorney general of California.

“Holding criminals accountable? That’s Kamala Harris," she added.

She also pointed to her slim 2022 midterm victory, calling on voters to turn out for Harris in a tight election.

Statement

"Since the end of the Cold War in 1989, America has created about 51 million new jobs. I swear, I checked this three times, even I couldn't believe it. What's the score? Democrats 50, Republicans 1."

Bill Clinton delivered a lengthy speech praising Harris.

More of Harris’ blended family came out tonight, including her niece Arden Emhoff, nephew Jasper Emhoff and Alexander Hudlin, whose father Reginald set Harris up on a blind date with her future husband Doug Emhoff.

The Gen Zers talked about their auntie as a “baller” who made them feel seen regardless of their ages and backgrounds. 

Alexander Hudlin said he was just 9 years old when Trump won in 2016. Even though he was a kid, he knew enough to be “concerned." But Harris reassured him by saying: “Do you know what superheroes do? They fight back, and we will, too.”

Her brother-in-law Tony West, who is married to Harris' sister, Maya, spoke later.

Lateefah Simon, who is running for a House seat in California, recounted her experience as a teen mom meeting and eventually working with Harris, who was then district attorney in San Francisco.

Simon has said she was tapped by Harris to work on an anti-recidivism initiative known as Back on Track to help young people facing charges for low-level offenses.

"There's something about Kamala Harris, for those who know her, you know when she hears your story, she carries it with her. When she sees you, she truly sees you," Simon said. "She wanted to get to the root cause of a broken criminal justice system, I saw her chip away."

Simon is running for Rep. Barbara Lee's House seat. Lee failed to advance through California's top-two primary in its Senate race in March.

When Lateefah Simon, a congressional candidate in California’s 12th District, stopped by outgoing Rep. Barbara Lee’s election headquarters in Oakland on Super Tuesday, she intended to bring well wishes to the veteran congresswoman in her run for the Senate.

“I’d been told she was catching a flight back to Washington, D.C.,” said Simon, whose campaign shared the same office building downtown. “I wanted to say hello and show my support.”

But it was Lee who surprised Simon with a gift. She took Simon by the hand at a news conference and, as supporters and media looked on, passed her the baton — literally. 

“Barbara gave me an actual baton,” Simon, 47, said of the shiny blue cylinder that she accepted to cheers and applause. “I was humbled. It is an honor and great responsibility, one that I feel I must live up to.”

Simon spoke at the convention tonight about her relationship with Harris.

Read more about Simon's activism and campaign here.

The uncommitted delegates to the Democratic National Convention announced tonight they were denied their chief request from Harris’ campaign — to have a Palestinian American speak to the convention here.

The delegates, who were elected in Democratic primaries this year in protest of Biden’s support for Israel’s war in Gaza, have been signaling they would commit to Harris if a Palestinian American were allowed to address the convention.

In twice-daily news conferences all week, they reiterated their request for a few minutes on the stage, insisting they were willing to work with organizers on preparing remarks and selecting a mutually acceptable speaker.

Read the full story here.

Comedian Kenan Thompson brought the lengthy conservative wish list Project 2025 onstage for a somewhat comedic discussion of its policy proposals.

Statement

“On page 459 Project 2025 resurrects a law from 1800s called the Comstock Act to ban abortions nationwide and throw health care providers in jail."

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the former House speaker, offered strong praise for Harris tonight while describing the Capitol riot as a "parable" serving to remind Americans about the fragility of democracy in the wrong hands.

Pelosi, who is credited with helping persuade Biden to drop his re-election bid, referred to Harris as “astute and strategic in winning difficult elections.”

She also criticized Trump over the Capitol riot.

"Never before had a president of the United States so brazenly assaulted the bedrock of our democracy, so gleefully embraced political violence, so willfully betrayed his oath of office," said Pelosi, who as House speaker established the Jan. 6 committee.

Bill Clinton holds the modern record for the longest Democratic convention acceptance speech — 64 minutes, 44 seconds in 1996. His 1992 speech was longer than 53 minutes. 

His infamous 1988 speech, which went long, was more than 30 minutes — not that long by Bill Clinton standards, but way too long for what he was scheduled for! 

Tonight we were told his speech would be about 12 minutes. But he spoke for around 27 minutes.

As Clinton spoke, speakers who were on deck were staking up backstage as they waited their turn. Notably waiting in the wings are Pelosi and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Bill Clinton tonight touted the nation's job numbers over the past 35 years, saying Democrats have done better than Republicans.

"Since the end of the Cold War in 1989, America has created about 51 million new jobs," Clinton said. "What's the score? Democrats, 50; Republicans, 1."

Clinton evoked “thank you, Joe” chants from the crowd as he praised Biden’s policy accomplishments during his presidency and his decision to voluntarily give up political power by relinquishing his re-election bid in what Clinton said was a “very hard” decision that will “enhance Joe Biden’s legacy.” 

Biden’s “selfless” decision was a “stark contrast to what goes on in the other party,” Clinton said. 

In paying tribute to Harris, Clinton gave a nod to her work experience at McDonald's — and his own previous penchant for the fast-food joint.

If elected, “she will break my record for the president who has spent the most time at McDonald's," he quipped.

The Clintons exchanged a moment of affection before Bill Clinton took the stage. Hillary Clinton spoke Monday.

Bill Clinton began his remarks by joking about his age and taking a dig at Trump's.

“Let’s cut to the chase; I am too old to gild the lily,” said Clinton, who turned 78 this week. “The only personal vanity I want to assert is that I’m still younger than Donald Trump."

Trump turned 78 in June.

It's another big night for celebrities, with legendary musician Stevie Wonder, "Saturday Night Live" star Kenan Thompson and actor/writer/producer Mindy Kaling taking the stage.

Before he performed his classic hit, "Higher Ground," Wonder encouraged the crowd to keep fighting and "choose joy over kindness over recrimination and peace over war, every time."

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries laid into Trump, describing him as an "old boyfriend."

"Donald Trump is like an old boyfriend who you broke up with, but he just won’t go away," said Jeffries, D-N.Y. "He has spent the last four years spinning the block, trying to get back into a relationship with the American people. Bro, we broke up with you for a reason."

Jeffries praised Harris as "a courageous leader, a compassionate leader and a commonsense leader who will deliver real results for everyday Americans."

Former President Bill Clinton tore up his draft remarks that he was set to deliver, a Clinton aide familiar with the process said.

After hearing Monday night's speeches, Clinton was moved by the energy and enthusiasm in Chicago and wanted to reflect that spirit in his speech, the aide added.

It will not be a policy-heavy speech — instead, Clinton is looking forward to “having fun” with the newfound energy Democrats have tapped into in recent weeks, the aide said. 

“It was clear to him that, in the spirit of Mario Cuomo, we needed more poetry, not prose,” the aide said.

Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., tonight contrasted his experience as a kid visiting the Capitol, which his parents taught him was "sacred ground, a symbol of our democracy," with the aftermath of the Jan. 6 riot.

Kim said he was taken aback by an "unimaginable" scene after the 2021 riot.

"That night, I walked into the rotunda, the floor was covered in broken glass and garbage — strewn with the chaos unleashed by Donald Trump. And I thought to myself, 'How did it get this bad?' So I did the only thing I could think of: I grabbed the trash bag and started cleaning up," Kim said. "What I learned on Jan. 6th is that all of us— all of us— are caretakers for our great republic. We can heal this country, but only if we try."

Tonight's march has ended peacefully. Many protesters seem to have gone home — though several hundred remained scattered in different corners of the park as night falls.

Some continued chanting and beating drums, while many others were sitting in the grass. 

Aquilino Gonell, a former police officer who helped protect the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot, said nothing could have prepared him for that attack.

"We were beaten and blinded," he said. "President Trump summoned our attackers. Incited with them. He betrayed us."

Gonell said he immigrated to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic as a child and became a citizen when he was 12. Now, still traumatized by what happened three years ago, he sees only one path forward: "Elect Kamala Harris, our first female commander in chief."

His speech was met with resounding applause, with some people standing to clap.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., who chaired the now-defunct House Jan. 6 committee, warned in his remarks that Trump is "plotting again" to undermine the election results.

Thompson said that his father never cast a vote because of Jim Crow laws and that that's why he has dedicated his career to protecting votes against violence and discrimination.

Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, apparently unencumbered by her newfound life outside of elected politics, invoked an expletive when she posted criticism of Vance on X in response to Vance's recent swipe at Walz.

Lightfoot was elected mayor in 2019, but she lost her re-election bid last year.

After a video showed violent scenes from the Jan. 6 attack interspersed with Trump's comments praising the rioters, attendees across the convention center began to loudly chant, "Lock him up."

The clips ended with text on a screen that highlighted the indictments Trump faces for his actions on that day and leading up to it.

Former GOP Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan of Georgia, who endorsed Biden and then Harris, took the stage, telling the crowd that he was appearing as an American who "care[s] more about the future of this country than the future of Donald Trump."

"Our party is not civil or conservative. It's chaotic and crazy, and the only thing left to do is to dump Trump," he said, saying he was speaking to Republicans.

Aside for a few brief moments of tension, the march has returned to Union Park, about 90 minutes after it left, intact and largely without incident.

Protesters have loudly chanted pro-Palestinian slogans during their circular route from and back to Union Park.

“We will fight day and night to protect our rights,” protesters chanted as they shuffled back into Union Park.

Carlos Eduardo Espina, a social media influencer and Marine veteran, took aim at Trump over his remark about immigrants' "poisoning the blood" of the U.S.

Espina said that his parents immigrated to College Station, Texas, two decades ago to seek a better future and that Trump has portrayed them and many other immigrants who love America and pay taxes as a poison.

Trump said last year that immigrants were "poisoning the blood of our country," a comment that has been likened to a similar remark made by Adolf Hitler.

"We lead the world because, unique among nations, we draw our people, our strength, from every country and every corner of the world," Espina said, adding that "welcoming immigrants is not a Democratic or a Republican value; it is an American value."

Olivia Troye, who was an adviser to Vice President Mike Pence on national security and counterterrorism, warned in her remarks that Trump is laying the groundwork to undermine the 2024 election.

"I saw how Donald Trump undermined our intelligence community, our military leaders and, ultimately, our democratic process. Now, he’s doing it again — lying and laying the groundwork to undermine this election," said Troye, who eventually resigned from the Trump administration.

"It’s his M.O. to sow doubt and division. That’s what Trump wants, because it’s the only way he wins. And that’s what our foreign adversaries want, because it’s the only way they win," she said.

The U.S. is stronger with when immigrants and their children realize their potential, Latinos speakers said tonight.

"These values shared by Latino families across this country are what made my family's American dream possible, and only Kamala Harris and Tim Walz will protect the American dream so that every family can earn a living, own a home and reach their full potential," said Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif. 

"We believe our union is more perfect when Dreamers become doctors, teachers, construction workers and military service members," he went on. "Latinos believe in that American dream and a brighter future."

Carlos Eduardo Espina, an activist and social media star, echoed Aguilar when he stated simply: “To be pro-immigrant is to be pro-America.”

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said she is excited to hear from a former member of her union tonight — and even more thrilled about the possibility of Walz's becoming vice president.

Walz spent decades as a high school teacher and football coach in rural Minnesota, where, Weingarten said, he honed skills that would be useful in Washington.

"Classroom management is way harder than managing adults," she said.

Bexar County, Texas, Sheriff Javier Salazar doubled down on an earlier message from border state Democrats: Harris is the tougher candidate on border security.

"When Donald Trump comes down to Texas, stands next to officers in uniforms just like mine," he said, "he's not there to help us. Don't think that — not for a second. He is a self-serving man." 

Tensions in the protester crowd erupted after police were seen confronting a woman from the elevated subway station at Damen Avenue.

Observers said a woman chucked a water bottle at a police officer at the elevated subway stop and then ran into a subway car that had just arrived. Police chased the woman into the subway car. As police led her into an elevator, hundreds of protesters ran to the plaza yelling.

Superintendent Snelling happened to be on the scene at that exact moment and personally intervened on behalf of the woman who threw the bottle. She was not arrested, CPD says.

The protest paused for several moments at the transit plaza, with many protesters yelling, “Let her go,” before breaking into “Free Palestine” and “We all are Palestine” chants.

After a few tense moments when the march remained stalled, it began moving slowly once again back toward Union Park.

Police on bicycles have been keeping protesters in the street.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., blasted Trump for tanking a bipartisan deal to address the border crisis this year.

"I was the Democratic senator who negotiated that bill to secure the border with President Biden and Vice President Harris," Murphy said. "One Republican said it would have had almost unanimous support if it weren't for Donald Trump."

Murphy continued, "Trump killed that bill, and he did it because he knew that if we fixed the border, he'd lose his ability to divide us, his ability to fan the flames of fear about people who come from different places."

Democrats, not Republicans, have the answer to a more secure border, said Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, who recounted going back and forth between El Paso to Ciudad Juárez as a child.

"The border is my beloved the place where my children grew up. Forget what you hear on the news. I'm from there," she said. "When it comes to the border, hear me when I say, you know nothing, Donald Trump." 

She touted Harris' visits to the border and meetings with law enforcement, asylum-seekers and human rights advocates.

"She was curious, she asked questions, she listened, and she didn't care if the cameras were on," Escobar said. "Most of all, she recognized that the situation at the border is complicated, as filled with opportunities as it is with challenges."

Booker said that tonight is about "joy" and that Harris and Walz "bring the joy," starting a chant with delegates of "I believe in America."

"There are people that doubt our collective strength. They want to tell us how bad we are. They want to say that they alone can save us. Well, we know that the power of the people is greater than the people in power. And we’re not, we’re not going to lose our faith," Booker said.

"I believe in America. Let me hear you," he said. "I believe in America."

Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg drew attention to the Americans held hostage in Gaza, including their son, Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

"Since then, we live on another planet," said Goldberg, describing the time since the Oct. 7 attack. "Anyone who is a parent or has had a parent can try to imagine the anguish and misery that Jon and I and all the hostage families are enduring.”

The two wore pieces of tape with the number 320 written on them, marking the number of days their son has been held hostage. As they spoke, the convention hall was largely silent, and many people could be seen shedding tears.

“This is a political convention. But needing our only son and all of the cherished hostages home is not a political issue,” Polin said as the audience applauded. “It is a humanitarian issue.”

NBC News’ Steve Kornacki breaks down the road to 270 electoral votes. Kornacki highlights key states Trump and Harris need to win and explains how the race has changed since Harris moved up on the Democratic ticket. 

Dana Nessel, who is serving her second term as Michigan’s first openly gay attorney general, touted Harris’ legislative record as California's attorney general and touched on themes of same-sex marriage and abortion in a fiery convention speech. 

Harris “never shied away from a good fight,” Nessel said, pointing to Harris’ refusal to defend California’s ban on same-sex marriage when she was attorney General in 2011. That decision meant a lot to Harris’ constituents and to families like her own, Nessel added. 

She said Harris was an inspiration to her as she fought for a repeal of Michigan’s near-total abortion ban, which took effect after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, reminding her that "protecting people’s lives and defending their rights is our job."

“I got a message for the Republicans and the justices of the United States Supreme Court: They can pry this wedding band from my cold, dead gay hand,” Nessel said, inciting a boom of applause.

Maren Morris is performing "Better Than We Found It," a song she released a month before the 2020 election that evokes the division in America and empathizes with immigrants and those fearing police brutality.

"Will we sit on our hands, do nothing about it? Or will we leave this world better than we found it?" Morris sings in the song's chorus.

"America, America, divided we fall. America, America, God save us all from ourselves and the hell that we’ve built for our kids. America, America, we’re better than this."

Protesters have now reached Park #578, the closest point to the arena where the convention is taking place, but police have not allowed them to enter.

There was a wall of officers around the entire edge of the park. Police won’t let protesters stop their march and are trying to force them to go back to Union Park.

Protesters don’t appear to be objecting, and they are proceeding in motion.

The protest has paused on Maypole Avenue, which borders the park, to chant at police.

“The Biden administration,” the protest leader yelled, “has allowed this ongoing genocide to continue.”

“You will not find peace if you are complicit in this genocide,” the protester said. “Free, free Palestine.”

The protest has yielded to police orders that they do not enter Park #578 — their originally intended destination — and are instead marching forward on the path back to Union Park that police have created. 

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison took the stage to speak about his role in prosecuting the police officers who killed George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020, praising Walz and Harris for their responses to the killing.

"They understand the legacy of George Floyd," Ellison said, adding that "no one is above the law, and no one is beneath it. No one is outside the circle of our compassion."

Then, Ellison blasted the GOP, saying, "In the Republican Party, everyone thinks they're above the law. Hell, nearly a dozen of their own lawyers are facing serious charges — even their lawyers need lawyers." 

Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., who chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said tonight that she aimed to help Democrats win additional House races this year to reclaim control of the lower chamber.

"We need just four more seats to take back the majority. The good news is we have fantastic candidates in winnable districts all across the country," DelBene said.

She also pledged to "make history" by picking up a House seat in Alabama.

"It's within our power to win these critical races. This election is about our rights, our freedoms, our democracy and our future," DelBene said.

Democrat Jack Schlossberg declined to comment on news that his cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to end his campaign. But he said he wouldn't be surprised if Kennedy goes on to work for Trump.

" I can’t predict the future, but I what I will say is I wouldn’t be surprised if he was working for President Trump at some point or in the past," he said. "I think it’s clear their interests align."

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis brought out a giant copy of Project 2025 and listed proposals that would harm reproductive rights.

"Let’s talk about Project 2025 — Donald Trump’s road map to ban abortion in all 50 states. Look, that sounds crazy, but right here on page 562, it says that Donald Trump could use an obscure law from the 1800s to single-handedly ban abortion in all 50 states, even putting doctors in jail. Page 486 puts limits on contraception. Page 450 threatens access to IVF. On page 455, Project 2025 says that states have to report miscarriages to the Trump administration," he said.

Trump has tried to distance himself from Project 2025 even though he has ties to some of its key architects.

Polis described himself as a "Swiftie" and started to mimic one of Taylor Swift's songs by saying, "People like Trump and Vance are not just weird; they’re dangerous. They want to take us backwards, but we aren’t going back like ever, ever, ever."

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., tonight criticized Project 2025, calling it more than "a threat."

"Project 2025 isn't just a threat; it's a reality that we battle every day, from the classroom to the emergency room," she said.

She also criticized Florida laws, saying she met a woman who at 23 weeks found out that her baby's kidneys had never developed. But because of Florida's abortion ban and her inability to travel, Wasserman Schultz said, the woman had to carry the baby to full term.

"She had no choice but to carry her son, Milo, to term, only to watch him die in her arms two hours later," she said.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling has been a regular presence at the major protests this week, including at today’s march. 

Snelling is leading at the front of the marching protest line today, walking and talking with fellow officers a few dozen feet in front of the trailing protest crowd.

It’s the latest example of Snelling's being personally and actively involved in the policing activity of protests.

Snelling was on the ground last night in the hours before and during the violent protests outside the Israeli Consulate. He remained on the scene through the chaos that resulted in several physical clashes between protesters and police in riot gear and ultimately the arrests of more than 50 protesters.

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., who is running for an open Senate seat, criticized Trump and his allies over Project 2025, saying the proposal "said the quiet parts out loud."

"With so much on the line, we've got to turn our biggest challenges into our greatest and brightest of hope," she said.

"Ladies and gentlemen, bright hope is four words: Madam President Kamala Harris," she added.

Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., said Trump would try to ban abortions. He would allow states to track pregnancies and restrict birth control and fertility treatments, she said, referring to Project 2025.

"Trump’s plan is cruel. It’s dangerous. But it is not inevitable," she said.

Milwaukee residents Deanna Branch and Rashawn Spivey took the stage to speak about their work to get rid of lead pipes in their community.

Branch spoke about her son, Aiden, who was hospitalized with lead poisoning as a toddler.

"Lead was everywhere in our pipes, in our paint and in our soil. President Biden and Vice President Harris passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It's removing land pipes from communities like ours," Branch said.

Today’s pro-Palestinian march is taking the same route as Monday’s Coalition to March on the DNC protest.

That march was interrupted by a breakaway group of dozens of protesters who lingered in Park #578 and proceeded to rip down security fencing that had created part of the perimeter around the United Center, where the convention is taking place. Riot police intervened, and several people were arrested.

There was a heavy police presence this evening at Park #578, and officers have told NBC News that they will not allow the current march to enter the park.

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson took the convention stage to praise Biden and Harris for keeping their promises.

Pureval blasted Trump for promising to fix the Brent Spence Bridge, saying, "Nothing changed until Kamala Harris and Joe Biden."

Pureval added, "Joe Biden told Cincinnatians, 'We're going to fix that damn bridge,' and four months later, he signed the bipartisan infrastructure law. It gave our city the biggest infrastructure investment in history."

Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., argued that the border was "broken," leaning head-on into a top liability for Democrats.

He added, though, that when Democrats and Republicans tried to fix it, they were "sabotaged," a reference to Trump's sinking the bipartisan deal by opposing it.

Suozzi, who flipped the district previously held by Rep. George Santos, highlighted what it means to be a nation of immigrants.

“Tonight we celebrate the roses of life," he said. "We come together from every state, from every ethnicity, from every race and religion. We come together tonight to celebrate our candidate, Kamala Harris.”

Police in Asheboro, North Carolina, said that following Trump's rally today there was an incident "away from the event site, after the event concluded and as attendees were leaving."

Officers detained a person and determined that during an "apparent road rage incident" a weapon was displayed from a vehicle but not pointed at anyone, the police department said in a news release. "Further, the suspect made no threats to assault anyone."

A 79-year-old man was charged, issued a citation and released pending a court date, police said.

Kelly Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, a civil rights group that pushes for LGBTQ rights, painted Harris and Walz as "champions" for LGBTQ freedom.

“Donald Trump wants to erase us," she said.

Robinson highlighted stories from LGBTQ Americans, saying, "Progress is happening, my friends."

There has been little mention of LGBTQ rights during the convention. Policies that affect transgender people were a frequent talking point at the Republican convention, where the GOP was eager to make them into a culture war issue.

Voto Latino CEO and President María Teresa Kumar said in her convention remarks that the nonprofit has registered 1.5 million voters ahead of the 2024 election.

"And we are just getting started," she said.

"When Latinos vote, Democrats win," she went on, adding that Democrats flipped Colorado and Nevada in 2008 and have since registered thousands of voters in Georgia and Arizona.

The Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine march has left Union Park after more than 2½ hours of speeches.

At least 1,200 people were at the rally ahead of the march, and it appears most have joined the walk.

Protesters will walk a half-mile west to Park #578 — the other designated First Amendment zone — where they will be within view of the United Center, the site of the official convention proceedings.

A group of pro-Israel protesters had gathered at Park #578 this afternoon, leading to concerns that the two broader groups could have a confrontation. But the pro-Israel crowd appears to have dwindled to fewer than a dozen.

Oprah Winfrey is expected to appear tonight, according to two sources familiar with the planning.

CNN first reported her expected appearance.

Jessica Mackler, the president of EMILY's List, an organization that works to elect pro-abortion-rights women, spoke out against Project 2025 in her convention remarks.

"Millions of women across this country are living with the devastating consequences of Republican abortion bans. Now comes Project 2025," she said.

Mackler called Project 2025 "a blueprint for banning abortion in all 50 states."

"Make no mistake, the threat of Project 2025 is very real, but so is our ability to stop it," she said.

Former Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards spoke about the importance of electing Harris to protect reproductive rights in the face of GOP threats to take more of them away.

Richards said that when Roe v. Wade was overturned, a "generation of young people lost that freedom" to choose to have an abortion.

"Last year, I became a grandmother, and during my daughter’s pregnancy, nothing mattered more to me than her health. Politics should never stand in the way of anyone’s health care or prevent any family from experiencing the joy my grandson, Teddy, has brought to my life," she said.

Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood, delivered a plea for maintaining and expanding access to reproductive rights.

She said that without guaranteed access, women are forced to flee their home states in search of medical care. She told the story of a woman who drove from Georgia to South Carolina and then went to Florida before she flew to California, where she was finally able to have an abortion.

"Now imagine if this was an emergency situation. In Texas, doctors who have feared going to jail have sent patients to wait in hospital parking lots rather than provide the emergency care they need, and in Idaho, they have airlifted patients to other states," Johnson said. "We cannot call ourselves a free nation when women are not free." 

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., honored the life of Rep. Bill Pascrell, a longtime New Jersey Democrat who died today at 87.

Booker referred to Pascrell, who served 27 years in Congress, as a "Jersey legend" and a "prince of Paterson."

"He never forgot where he came from in Paterson, and he never stopped fighting," Booker said. "He fought for the people. And so today, while we're heartbroken, we all are people who can hold loss and joy in our hearts because we are sad for his loss. But we celebrate his life."

Former President Bill Clinton will present the race in terms of collaboration versus selfishness, according to an excerpt of prepared remarks released by the Democratic National Convention Committee.

“In 2024, we have a clear choice: ‘We the people’ versus ‘Me, myself, and I,'" he is expected to say.

Clinton will also describe Harris as someone positioned to be president.

"Even on the bad days, you can still make something good happen," he's expected to say. "Kamala Harris is the only candidate in this race with the vision, the experience, the temperament, the will, and yes — the sheer joy — to do that on good and bad days. To be our voice."

The Chicago Jewish Alliance is now speaking at Park #578, where we expect the Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine group currently gathering at Union Park to eventually march.

The alliance said it was a last-minute decision to come and speak, saying a few members were at the Israeli Consulate last night.

Simona Bogode, 39, said the group’s message is to free the hostages and promote unity, “pro-freedom,” anti-terrorism and pro-LGBTQ rights.

Bogode says that she's a lifelong Democrat but that it is a tough time to be in the party right now. She is undecided in the presidential election but said she’s not a fan of Trump.

Asked about the potential of a confrontation with pro-Palestinian protesters who might be marching here, she said “bring it, we’re not scared,” but she also said she believed most people are not interested in violence and hoped that would not happen.

A crowd of a few dozen gathered to listen to Chicago Jewish Alliance speakers. Bogode said the group was formed only a few months ago after the Matisyahu concert here was canceled because of threats by pro-Palestinian protesters and because they felt Jewish voices were not being heard. They are now blasting Matisyahu’s song “One Day” over the loudspeakers.  

Harris’ ascension to the top of the Democratic ticket has forced Trump to direct considerably more resources to the lone state his campaign is playing defense in this year: North Carolina.

Since the beginning of August, Trump’s campaign and his joint fundraising committees have spent at least $7.4 million on ads in the state, according to AdImpact tracking. That’s about $3 million more than Harris and her joint fundraising committees have spent over the same period. It’s the most money the Trump team has spent on ads in any swing state since the beginning of the month, narrowly edging out Pennsylvania.

Read the full story here.

The pending suspension of Kennedy’s campaign and subsequent expected endorsement of Trump has been an ongoing project of three key allies of Trump —Donald Trump Jr., former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and megadonor Omeed Malik.

The three men have worked behind the scenes in meetings and calls with both Trump and Kennedy to negotiate the exit and the endorsement, a source familiar with their efforts said on condition of anonymity to reveal sensitive internal campaign deliberations. 

Trump's campaign considers a potential endorsement as something of a work in progress, the source added.

Notably, Carlson, Malik and Trump Jr. were also influential in the selection of Vance as Trump’s running mate.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is expected to draw a contrast between Harris and Trump in personal terms in his convention speech tonight, using his life experience to lean into today's “fight for our freedoms” theme, said a source who has reviewed his prepared remarks.

Buttigieg, who assumed office in 2021 shortly after Biden was sworn in, is appearing in his personal capacity tonight.

Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, who addressed the 2020 convention virtually, will try to connect the decision in this election to real lives and present a more optimistic vision for the future, stressing that a “better politics” can exist under Harris and Walz, the source said.

Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., this afternoon said that she's "not on a sugar high," even as polls show Harris leading Trump.

NBC News’ Kristen Welker asked Dingell on "Meet the Press NOW" about where she stands after she expressed concern this year, before Biden dropped his re-election bid, about voter turnout in the state's primary election.

"I’m not Debbie Downer. I’m Debbie Determined. It’s a purple state," Dingell said. "We are going to be purple until Election Day, and we cannot stop working until those polls are closed and every last vote is counted."

Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein is now addressing the crowd at the pro-Palestinian protest in Union Park, which has quickly grown well beyond 500 attendees.

“You are so beautiful; you are so strong,” Stein told the crowd, leading it in a “free, free, free Palestine” chant.

A regular presence at the DNC protests this week has been members of the Neturei Karta, a fringe group of religious Jews who oppose the formal existence of a Jewish political state.

For people unfamiliar with their beliefs, it’s an unusual sight to spot ultra-Orthodox Jews — sporting long beards and black hats — at a pro-Palestinian rally where attendees are openly criticizing Israel and Israelis.

But members of the Neturei Karta — who believe that the formation of a political Jewish state violates the laws of the Torah and who have at times openly advocated for the destruction of the modern Israeli state — have for decades attended pro-Palestinian rallies and events throughout the country.

More than 20 million people watched the second night of the convention, about the same number who tuned in Monday, according to Nielsen.

In contrast to last night’s violent protest outside the Israeli Consulate, today’s event is peaceful, featuring orderly call-and-repeat chants and several toddlers, children and senior citizens. 

A protester led the group in chants of “Free, free Palestine,” while many others waved Palestinian flags.

“Over 40,000 dead, DNC your hands are red,” the group chanted. “We won’t take it anymore, this is genocide not war.”

Last night’s protest ended in dozens of arrests and confrontations with police after a pro-Palestinian group led several hundred demonstrators on an improvised path through the streets of downtown Chicago after police tried to block them.

The assassination attempt on Trump, Biden’s departure from the race, Harris’ jump to the top of her ticket, two vice presidential picks and two conventions have all shaken up the race in the last six weeks. Now, Kennedy’s possible exit could be the next big event.

His own running mate is talking about weighing whether to drop out, and now his campaign is preparing a big speech Friday.

Polls show that a Kennedy withdrawal would probably help Trump more than hurt him. If it does, it’s at the margins — but small margins have ended up deciding recent presidential elections.

Read the full story here.

Kennedy intends to suspend his campaign Friday and plans to endorse Trump, according to two sources familiar with the plans.

Sources caution that talks are ongoing but said there will be clarity by the end of the week. One of the sources said the campaigns are working toward a joint appearance.

Trump and Kennedy have announced separate events in the Phoenix area Friday. 

Kennedy's spokesperson posted on X today that his boss plans to "address the nation live on Friday about the present historical moment and his path forward."

About 500 people have gathered at Union Park for the Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine’s protest this afternoon.

No Peace for Genocide Enablers, a Chicago-based group, has said its rally is the latest this week to draw attention to the war in Gaza and to push for a pivot in the Democratic Party’s policy regarding it.

A handful of brief skirmishes broke out as protesters began chanting at the start of their rally, when a small group of self-described nationalists tried to provoke them with large American flags and anti-Palestinian rhetoric.

After the group left, protest organizers led the hundreds in attendance in chants, including, “Hey Democrats, don’t you know, the occupation’s got to go.”

Teddy Kingsley, 25, a student in Chicago at the rally, accused the Biden administration of “being complicit in the genocide.”

“It’s important that the DNC recognize that they can’t take our votes for granted,” Kingsley said. “I want to pressure her [Harris] into taking a stronger stance on what’s happening.”

This rally will walk from Union Park to Park #578 — the two First Amendment zones Chicago police set up to accommodate protesters this week.

Pro-Israel groups are scheduled to speak at Park #578 later this afternoon, running the risk of a confrontation.

Democrats plan to hammer Trump tonight over one of the central issues of his political identity: immigration.

Several convention speakers tonight will highlight Trump’s sinking of the bipartisan border funding bill this year, according to two sources familiar with the plan. Among them will be Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who was one of its lead negotiators. 

It’s a massive shift in messaging for a party that previously preferred to avoid the issue. It will be featured prominently, not just from the perspective of Dreamers, but also with a greater focus on border security.

The change in Democrats’ strategy began this year around the time of the New York special congressional election, when Tom Suozzi rode a tougher immigration message to victory. That signaled to the party that it could try to flip the script on the issue.

Kennedy is set to make a campaign speech addressing “his path forward” Friday, days after his running mate said the campaign faced a choice about staying in the race or dropping out to back Trump.

Kennedy’s campaign announced he will hold the event in Phoenix. Trump, meanwhile, is also set to host an event Friday night, in Glendale, a Phoenix suburb.

Nicole Shanahan, Kennedy’s running mate, said yesterday that the ticket is weighing two options. One is to stay in the race and “risk” a Harris-Walz presidency, as she put it in a podcast interview, while the other is to drop out of the race and “join forces” with Trump.

Read the full story here.

According to a DNC convention official, John Legend will perform and lead a tribute to Prince in tonight's programming.

Trump told the audience at his North Carolina rally that they already have enough votes and should instead focus on making sure that Democrats "don't cheat."

"Our primary focus is not to get out the vote — but to make sure they don't cheat," he said.

"We are going to fight like hell to win this election," Trump told the crowd. "They are going to cheat like hell to win the election because they have no bounds."

Trump took aim at gender-affirming care for transgender military members during a campaign rally in Asheboro, North Carolina, this afternoon.

“If you want to have a sex change, or a social justice seminar, then you could do it somewhere else, but you’re not going to do it in the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force Space Force, or the United States Marines. Sorry. You’re not going to do it there," Trump said.

During the first year of the Biden administration, the Pentagon lifted restrictions, imposed under Trump, barring transgender troops from openly serving in the military, and issued new rules aimed at curbing discrimination and providing medical support for transgender service members.

Many surgeries tied to gender-transitioning are covered for active-duty service members, though veterans seeking surgeries of this nature are typically required to use private insurance or cover charges themselves.

During his campaign event in Asheboro, North Carolina, Trump claimed that, if he’s re-elected to the White House, he would solve global conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Hamas, before he's inaugurated.

"If we win, I’ll get that thing settled before I take the office. I’ll get it settled, as president-elect, I’ll get that war to stop," he said.

Trump paused for several minutes when it appeared an attendee to his Asheboro rally required medical attention. After noting the hot temperatures, Trump briefly walked off stage to check on the individual.

Trump’s rally in North Carolina was his first major outdoor event since the assassination attempt at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last month.

He is speaking behind bulletproof glass, which the U.S. Secret Service approved in the wake of the shooting.

Chicago PD Superintendent Larry Snelling said there were between "55 and 60 arrests" during a last night's protest outside the Consulate General of Israel.

He added that about that two protesters were injured, two officers were injured and three journalists were among the arrested.

Chicago’s Deputy Mayor Garien Gatewood condemned last night’s demonstration. “To call last night a protest would be disrespectful to people who have actually protested through things that have moved societies forward across the country… What we had is we had people who came down to the city to cause harm, to wreak havoc."

Snelling condemned harassment female officers faced during the protest, saying that “the vicious, nasty, sexually explicit things" that were said were "absolutely disgusting."

During a campaign event in Asheboro, North Carolina, Trump responded to former President Barack Obama's and former first lady Michelle Obama's remarks at the Democratic National Convention last night.

"Did you see Barack Hussein Obama last night take those shots? He was taking shots at your president, and so was Michelle," Trump said. "You know, they always say, 'Sir, please stick to policy. Don’t get personal.' And yet they’re getting personal. All night long, these people. Do I still have to stick to policy?"

Sulhee Jessica Woo, a TikTok creator with over 5 million followers, went viral for making bento boxes, which are traditional Japanese lunch boxes, for her daughters’ school lunches. 

Now she is using her “creator credential” to put a political spin on her usual food content. 

For the first time in history, more than 200 credentialed social media influencers are in attendance at the Democratic National Convention to inform their audiences about the upcoming election.

With exclusive lounges for content creation and the opportunity to interact with politicians and delegates, these influencers are taking advantage of the opportunity as they explore their creative freedom to produce original content throughout the week. 

On Monday, Woo created a video of her making her usual bento box lunch, but instead of it being for her daughter, she made it for Meena Harris, Kamala Harris’ niece. 

Woo said that incorporating her original brand into the content she creates this week will provide viewers with a palatable introduction to politics.

“Not everyone’s gonna want to watch, you know, just like, hey, this is who I’m voting for, you should vote. That’s why this is important. They want to see some kind of correlation to my content,” she said. 

Woo, who went to school for journalism and media studies, said the “creator credential,” which gives content creators the same access as traditional media, is allowing her to pursue her dreams.

She added: “This is kind of what I was going to do. I wanted to be a reporter. I wanted to be an anchor. I wanted to be a broadcaster. So, you know, I’m just using my degree and trying to provide information.”

Sen. JD Vance criticized Harris during an interview on NewsNation, saying that it was "unusual" for her and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, to not attend last night's convention activities.

"I think that that underscores the very deep division," he said in an appearance amplified by the Trump-Vance campaign on social media.

While Trump has been more present during his party's political conventions (he attended much of last month's convention, taking it in from his box), nominees have regularly skipped large chunks of their own conventions.

In 2000, George W. Bush did remote appearances from the campaign trail throughout the convention, but didn't show up in person until his speech on the final night. That's similar to what Harris did last night: She held a rally in Milwaukee where she briefly addressed the convention in remarks broadcast to convention-goers.

Nominees have regularly made early appearances to watch their spouses or running mates speak (and Harris appeared in Chicago in person during the convention's first night). But many, especially those who held active office at the time of their presidential bid, didn't stick around until they gave their nominating speech on the event's final night.

Rodrigo de la Rosa was only 5 years old when he crossed the U.S.-Mexico border with his father and three brothers. Growing up in South Phoenix, he had what he calls “just a regular American life” — until, as a teenager, he learned he was undocumented. 

“When you turn 16 and you can’t get a regular job, that’s when you realize, ‘Oh, I’m different,’” he said. 

In his mid-20s, de la Rosa married Ashley de Alba, who was born and raised in California by Mexican and Salvadoran parents. But marrying a U.S. citizen was not enough to fix his immigration status. He could apply for a green card, but would need to leave the country first — and risk getting stuck in Mexico for a decade or even permanently. 

That changed Monday, when the federal government began accepting applications for a sweeping new Biden administration program allowing undocumented spouses of American citizens to apply to regularize their status without leaving the U.S. The White House estimates the program applies to 500,000 immigrants across the country, as well as to an additional 50,000 of their children (the stepchildren of their American citizen spouses). 

Read the full story here.

During a news conference with leaders of the Uncommitted National Movement, Rep. Ilhan Omar criticized Democrats who suggest securing a cease-fire requires tireless work.

“It’s been unconscionable for me in the last 10 months to witness my colleagues in this administration refusing to recognize the genocidal war that is taking place in Gaza, to not see the mothers who have lost countless children, the babies whose dead bodies are being dug out, to not understand that working tirelessly for a cease-fire is really not a thing, and they should be ashamed of themselves for saying such thing,” she said.

“Because we supply these weapons. So if you really wanted a cease-fire, you just stop sending the weapons,” Omar said.

She also urged Harris to secure support from critical pro-Palestinian voters and “not lose our democracy by not changing her policy towards Israel and Gaza.”

Sen. Sherrod Brown, a vulnerable Ohio Democrat who is skipping the Chicago convention to focus on his re-election fight, has generally kind words Wednesday for his state's junior senator, Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance.

"I haven't seen him lately," Brown quipped when asked about his relationship with Vance during a campaign event in Toledo. "It's fine."

Brown added as a point of comparison that he "was close" with Vance's Republican predecessor, Rob Portman.

"We didn't agree on big things, like trade and maybe consumer protection and some other issues," Brown said. "But we worked together when we could."

Asked by a Toledo Blade reporter if he agrees with Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, that Vance is "weird," Brown sidestepped.

"I'm not going to say one of my colleagues is weird," Brown replied, wrestling with the question for a second before saying he would not offer a more expansive answer.

"Nice try, though," he told the reporter.

Ohio has twice backed Trump by 8-point margins. Other than former President Barack Obama, Brown is the only Democrat in a nonjudicial race to win more than one statewide election here in the last two decades.

The Democratic National Convention has released the playlist it used during last night's star-studded ceremonial roll call reaffirming the nominations of Harris and Walz.

"The selected songs reflected a diversity of genres and artists and were chosen to celebrate the unique character of all 57 delegations as they rally around Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz’s nominations," convention spokesperson Emily Soong said.

Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell, whose career in rough-and-tumble New Jersey politics spanned four decades and who in his later years became known for his sharp barbs against Donald Trump, died on Wednesday, according to a statement on his official X account. He was 87.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning,” the statement said. “As our United States Representative, Bill fought to his last breath to return to the job he cherished and to the people he loved. Bill lived his entire life in Paterson and had an unwavering love for the city he grew up in and served. He is now at peace after a lifetime devoted to our great nation America.”

The 14-term congressman was hospitalized for nearly a month this summer after experiencing a fever related to a respiratory illness. He was discharged to a rehabilitation center on Aug. 7 but was readmitted to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey, just four days later.

Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., said the momentum for Harris within the Democratic Party is “what I envisioned” after he became the first Democratic senator who called for Biden to drop out of the race.

During an interview on MSNBC this morning, Welch cited Biden’s poor June debate performance, saying “it was clear that there was a serious situation” potentially compromising Democrats’ chances of winning the November election.

“And we went from a campaign that was really going to be focused on Trump to win, that was going to be focused on Biden. With President Biden’s decision, the campaign is now about the future, and she, Vice President Harris, is doing an extraordinary job on that,” he said. “So now we have an immense amount of energy, and our challenge is to harness that energy, because we have a very, very challenging race ahead.”

Wealthy businessman Timothy Mellon and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg wrote eight-figure checks in July to support major Republican and Democratic super PACs, respectively, gearing up for the 2024 election.

Mellon, who donated $50 million in May to Make America Great Again Inc., the super PAC that supports former President Donald Trump’s presidential bid, doubled down last month with another $50 million donation to the group. Mellon, who had given millions to a super PAC supporting independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has now donated more than $150 million to political organizations this cycle.

It’s among the biggest disclosed political contributions from a single person in a single election cycle.

Read the full story here.

Ahead of the third night of the Democratic National Convention, a spokesperson for the convention announced the list of tonight's speakers.

The list included: Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J.; Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.; Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev.; Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.; Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.; Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.; Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and former President Bill Clinton.

For the first time in history, social media influencers were invited to attend the Democratic National Convention. With a front-row seat at the convention, Quentin Jiles, the host of "The Queue with Que," a breaking news podcast, said this decision will connect the DNC with audiences like never before.

“Being a creator is a new job. My kid, my kids' friends, they are probably outside like, ‘Oh, I want to be a doctor,’ or, ‘When I grow up I want to be a lawyer,’ but now we have kids saying ‘I want to be a creator,” he said.

Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, said an endorsement from independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would be “good” for the Trump campaign.

During an interview on “Fox & Friends” this morning, Vance was asked about reports of Kennedy and his running mate, Nicole Shanahan, considering dropping their campaign and possibly joining forces with the Trump campaign.

Vance said he thinks “it would be good for the campaign” but that he hasn’t discussed the possibility with Kennedy.

“But my pitch to him and to a lot of his voters would be, the Democratic Party of my grandparents that supported his uncle, John F. Kennedy, for president has been completely abandoned by the modern leadership of the Democratic Party,” he said. “I mean, that was a party that believed in strong borders, that was a party that believed in building and making things in America, that believed in a strong national security, and really believed that we were all part of the same American family.”

In his acceptance speech at the convention tonight, Walz will introduce himself to the American people by highlighting the values he learned growing up in a small town in Nebraska, which shaped his service in the National Guard and as a teacher, football coach, member of Congress and governor, and which would guide him in the White House, a Harris-Walz campaign official said.

Walz will also lay out what Harris will do for working families and call on the American people to work together to elect her as president.

The Minnesota governor is set to be nominated by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Ben Ingman, a former student and next-door neighbor of the governor, whom Walz coached basketball and track when Ingman was in 7th grade. Ingman will be joined on stage by former Mankato West High School football players and former head coach Rick Sutton.

Earlier in the primetime program, short videos will air that highlight Walz’s service in the National Guard and as a teacher, the campaign said. 

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was interrupted twice by pro-Palestinian protesters during a live interview on CBS’ “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in Chicago last night.

Several minutes into the interview, which took place on the second night of the Democratic National Convention, a protester against the war in Gaza audibly shouted after Pelosi said Democrats are going to elect Vice President Kamala Harris as president.

Colbert told viewers that there was a protest happening in the audience, and the show cut to a commercial break.

“There’s a protest going on right now,” he said. “We’re going to go to commercial break but the subject is on Israel and Palestine and if you’ll have a seat, we have to go to the commercial break, but when we come back I’ll ask the next question I had on that subject, if you will listen.”

When William Hall takes the stage at the Democratic National Convention tonight, he will speak from his deep Chicago roots. The 40-year-old alderman grew up on the same block as Emmett Till’s mother — who along with his late father and the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. helped nurture his political aspirations. 

The alderman, who is also a pastor, represents 54,000 Chicagoans on the city’s South Side. The DNC is signaling Hall’s voice is one it wants the nation to hear as Democrats try to attract young Black male voters.

When Hall closes the night out with a benediction, he will reference the fight to safeguard democracy, reproductive rights and the significance of the Black woman’s influence on the party. And he says Harris is a leader among them.  

“Harris has been tested as one who can merge generations and bring innovation to the world. And so tomorrow is about inspiring a young girl, a young boy, that you can be like her,” Hall said. “I believe she’s going to move the start line to make it better for generations to come. I do think that what we’re witnessing is the formation of intergenerational servants who will lead this country for the next 50-60 years.” 

After the Obamas took center stage on the second night of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, "Meet the Press" moderator Kristen Welker joins "TODAY" to weigh in on their ‘scorching takedown’ of Donald Trump. She also shares what to expect from Tim Walz’s speech on the third night.

CHICAGO — Doug Emhoff sought to introduce the country to his wife “Momala,” better known as Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking to the human side of a public figure many Americans are still getting to know. 

With self-deprecating ease, the nation’s first second gentleman called his wife a “joyful warrior” and a loving co-parent to his kids who, on their anniversary every year, makes him listen to the “embarrassing” voicemail he left asking her out on their first date.

“My mom is the only one who thinks Kamala is the lucky one for marrying me,” he said to laughs yesterday on the second night of the Democratic National Convention.  

Emhoff, a Los Angeles attorney who took leave from his firm when Harris become vice president, has two now-grown children from his first marriage. He said Harris, who has no biological children of her own, has put their family first, no matter how demanding her job gets.

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CHICAGO — He once forged his political career here but, yesterday, President Barack Obama returned to his hometown to play the role of elder statesman.

“It’s good to be home!” Obama opened to an almost deafening reception at the United Center. “I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling fired up!”  

The nostalgic reference to Obama’s well-known chant “Fired up! Ready to go!” brought another roar.  

As the closer for the night, immediately following his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, he weaved nuts-and-bolts Democratic principles along with what he saw as a road map for the party. He paid tribute to Joe Biden, his former vice president — one of the few speakers to do so last night — and said making that pick was one of the best decisions he had made.