CLEVELAND – Through last-minute schedule changes and unusual introductions, the Republican National Convention brought Republicans back together Monday night after a contentious afternoon session.
Melania Trump, wife of presumptive Republican nominee for president Donald Trump, headlined the convention’s opening night speeches. Ms. Trump has not made many public appearances with her husband, and rarely speaks when she is in public.
Introduced by her husband, in an atypical move for a presidential candidate to make an appearance this early in the convention, Ms. Trump described her husband as a humble, thoughtful man and leader.
“I am so proud of your choice for president of the United States,” she said.
Other speakers Monday night centered around the theme “Make America Safe Again,” focusing mostly on national security and military safety.
Marcus Luttrell, former Navy SEAL and Pat Smith, mother of Benghazi victim Sean Smith, spoke against former Secretary of State and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s handling of the Benghazi attacks.
Former Marines Mark Geist and John Tiegen spoke about their experiences serving in the attacks in Benghazi.
Mary Ann Mendoza, Sabine Durden and Jamiel Shaw, parents of citizens who died in car accidents and a shooting committed by illegal immigrants, spoke against illegal immigration as a danger to the U.S.
Durden’s son was killed in a drunk driving incident with a driver who was an illegal immigrant. She said in her speech Donald Trump was the best candidate for immigration reform.
“We need to enforce our immigration and our existing immigration laws,” Durden said. “We need to secure our borders so no other person has to go through the kind of pain and grief and agony knowing this could have been prevented.”
“Build that wall” she added in reference to Trump’s policy to build a wall on the Mexican-American border paid for by the Mexican government.
Milwaukee sheriff David A. Clarke spoke about keeping law enforcement safe, referencing Friday’s shooting of politics officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
“Blue lives matter,” Clarke started his speech on promoting safety for police officers and criticizing the Black Lives Matter movement for being dangerous to law enforcement.
“I call it anarchy,” Clarke said about the movement.
Fittingly in accord with Donald Trump’s time as a reality television personality, "Duck Dynasty" cast member Willie Robertson and former cast members of The Real World Rachel and Rep. Sean Duffy also spoke Monday. Other speakers included actors Scott Baio and Antonio Sabato, Jr., Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, and Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA).
Tuesday’s convention session will begin at 5:30 p.m.
