usatoday--2020-08-28--The GOP sought to soften Trump's edges while vilifying Biden at a convention focused on winning subu

Republicans wrapped up their four-day convention Thursday having achieved much of what they sought to do : renominating President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on the November ballot , energizing the party 's base and portraying Democratic nominee Joe Biden as a pawn of a leftist movement that would destroy America .
`` This election will decide whether we will defend the American way of life , or whether we allow a radical movement to completely dismantle and destroy it , '' Trump said Thursday on the South Lawn of the White House as he accepted his party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent as much time bashing Biden as it did extolling Trump , the president hopes for a boost in several of the battleground states where polls show him trailing his Democratic rival .
Here are five takeaways from the GOP convention and what they mean for the 66 days left before the election Nov. 3 : Trump has cultivated an image as a take-charge , bombastic tough guy who has been called a `` bodyguard '' for conservative ideals .
Convention speakers also painted the president as a man of compassion , someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cares deep down about the plight of the farmers , miners and steelworkers struggling economically , and has an abiding love for his country .
More : 'Firewall against Nancy Pelosi ’ s agenda ' : How Mitch McConnell became one of Donald Trump 's key confidantes '' More than any president in my lifetime , he 's acknowledged the importance of farmers and agriculture , '' said Cris Peterson , a dairy farmer whose business was helped by Trump 's policies .
`` From the day that I met him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country the best it can be , '' first lady Melania Trump said in her Rose Garden speech Tuesday .
`` America is in his heart . ''
Several speakers took personal shots at Biden , whom they derided as forgetful , corrupt and a `` coastal elite . ''
`` Joe Biden spit venom at an autoworker who dared to question Joe ’ s intent to dismantle the Second Amendment , '' said Charlie Kirk , head of Turning Point-USA .
Donald Trump Jr. , the president 's son , dubbed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the `` Loch Ness monster of the swamp . ''
Rep. Steve Scalise , R-La.
, said Biden does n't seem to care about `` the working man . ''
`` Millions of good manufacturing jobs were shipped overseas during the Obama-Biden years , to countries like China , '' Scalise said .
`` Donald Trump brought those jobs back . ''
In a bid to recapture upwardly mobile women he ’ ll probably need for victory , Trump 's allies painted a grim future of the suburbs under Biden .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCloskey , a St. Louis couple who drew nationwide attention for pointing guns at Black Lives Matter protesters passing their house in June .
The couple , speaking from their home , warned that the quality of life in the suburbs would be at risk of destruction under a Biden administration .
`` When we don ’ t have basic safety and security in our communities , we will never be free to build a brighter future for ourselves , for our children and for our country , '' said Patty McCloskey , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama-era rule designed to expand affordable housing to middle-income communities .
`` They are not satisfied with spreading the chaos and violence into our communities , they want to abolish the suburbs altogether by ending single-family home zoning , '' she said .
`` This forced rezoning would bring crime , lawlessness and low-quality apartments into thriving suburban neighborhoods .
President Trump smartly ended this government overreach , but Joe Biden wants to bring it back . ''
More : Hundreds of former Bush and Romney staffers endorse Joe Biden ahead of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 47 % -45 % ) in 2016 against Hillary Clinton , according to a Pew Research Center study .
He 's struggling with these voters in 2020 .
A Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll in July showed him lagging Biden among suburban women , 39 % to 56 % .
Republican strategist Alice Stewart said suburban women will come back to Trump , given his law-and-order message at a time of growing civil unrest .
`` They want safety and security , '' she said on CNN Tuesday .
`` Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and empathy .
But it 's not about voters , and specifically women , wanting someone that makes them feel good .
They want someone that makes them feel safe . ''
Unlike the Democratic National Convention , where centrist Republicans such as former Ohio Gov .
John Kasich , former Secretary of State Colin Powell and former New Jersey Gov .
Christine Todd Whitman spoke on behalf of Biden last week , the roster of RNC speakers largely featured family , staff members and loyal allies .
There were relatives of crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a democracy activist from China showering praise on Trump – or disdain on Biden .
But most of the keynote messages were by Pence , the president 's children or advisers such as Kellyanne Conway .
He confides in and consults us , respects our opinions and insists that we are on equal footing with the men , '' Conway said Wednesday in a speech in which she cast the president as a champion of women .
New Jersey Congressman Jefferson Van Drew , who switched parties in December and became a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the GOP stage to praise the president and tell viewers how much his old party is peddling a `` radical , socialist agenda . ''
`` In President Trump 's America , we have a strong supply chain , good schools , we 're energy independent and protect our environment , '' he said .
`` There are a lot of Democrats who support our President…and are disgusted for what their old party – what my old party – has become . ''
'' The GOP convention was an opportunity to try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus that has killed more than 180,000 Americans and upended daily life .
There were testimonials about his decision to curtail travel from China ( though not the total ban he often claims ) and about his promotion of certain therapies ( some of which have been oversold , according to medical experts ) , his efforts to distribute protective gear to states ( many of which complained they did n't get enough ) and his push for a vaccine by the end of the year .
`` I can tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quick action and leadership saved thousands of lives during COVID-19 , '' Amy Johnson Ford , a registered nurse from Williamson , West Virginia , told Monday 's convention audience .
Those efforts to showcase the administration 's work to combat the spread of the virus were undercut by news reports this week that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was pressured by political interests to discourage testing for those not showing symptoms even though the virus can spread before symptoms appear .
Thursday , CDC Director Robert Redfield backtracked by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with a confirmed or probable COVID-19 patient could be tested , even if they don ’ t show symptoms .
Tapping into the power of the incumbency Trump built a following on his promises to `` drain the swamp '' and upend the failing institutions of government .
The convention offered the former reality TV star a chance to flex his governmental powers before the millions who watched .
There he was in the White House issuing a pardon , swearing in newly naturalized citizens and meeting with hostages released from foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary of State Mike Pompeo beam a political message of support during a diplomatic trip in Israel , in what critics such as Wendy Sherman , a former State Department official , said broke long-standing protocol and perhaps the State Department 's own policy on engaging in partisan political activity .
Trump 's supporters said the president had to readjust the convention logistics after the two states picked to host its main events – Florida and North Carolina – limited gatherings because of the coronavirus .
Democrats and government watchdogs said the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a backdrop for speeches – including Trump 's address accepting the nomination – and ceremony is an abuse that needs to be investigated .
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , said it 's another sign of Trump 's `` unethical '' behavior and disregard of tradition .
`` All the rules , norms , values that have made this country great , Donald Trump will destroy them .
He only cares about himself , '' he said on C-SPAN Wednesday .
`` The rules are you should n't sit at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ( political ) convention .
Donald Trump says , ' I want to do it , ' so they do it . ''

The GOP sought to soften Trump's edges while vilifying Biden at a convention focused on winning suburban voters
Show Caption Hide Caption RNC: Ivanka Trump: the president 'has changed Washington' Daughter and advisor to the president, Ivanka Trump highlights his convictions at the Republican National Convention. USA TODAY
Republicans wrapped up their four-day convention Thursday having achieved much of what they sought to do: renominating President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on the November ballot, energizing the party's base and portraying Democratic nominee Joe Biden as a pawn of a leftist movement that would destroy America.
"This election will decide whether we will defend the American way of life, or whether we allow a radical movement to completely dismantle and destroy it," Trump said Thursday on the South Lawn of the White House as he accepted his party's nod.
After a convention that spent as much time bashing Biden as it did extolling Trump, the president hopes for a boost in several of the battleground states where polls show him trailing his Democratic rival.
Here are five takeaways from the GOP convention and what they mean for the 66 days left before the election Nov. 3:
Humanizing Trump while demonizing Biden
Trump has cultivated an image as a take-charge, bombastic tough guy who has been called a "bodyguard" for conservative ideals.
Convention speakers also painted the president as a man of compassion, someone who reached out personally to cancer victims, cares deep down about the plight of the farmers, miners and steelworkers struggling economically, and has an abiding love for his country.
More: 'Firewall against Nancy Pelosi’s agenda': How Mitch McConnell became one of Donald Trump's key confidantes
"More than any president in my lifetime, he's acknowledged the importance of farmers and agriculture," said Cris Peterson, a dairy farmer whose business was helped by Trump's policies.
"From the day that I met him, he has only wanted to make this country the best it can be," first lady Melania Trump said in her Rose Garden speech Tuesday. "America is in his heart."
Several speakers took personal shots at Biden, whom they derided as forgetful, corrupt and a "coastal elite."
"Joe Biden spit venom at an autoworker who dared to question Joe’s intent to dismantle the Second Amendment," said Charlie Kirk, head of Turning Point-USA.
More: Even as president, Donald Trump takes a familiar stance: The political outsider
Donald Trump Jr., the president's son, dubbed the former vice president "Beijing Biden" and the "Loch Ness monster of the swamp."
Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., said Biden doesn't seem to care about "the working man."
"Millions of good manufacturing jobs were shipped overseas during the Obama-Biden years, to countries like China," Scalise said. "Donald Trump brought those jobs back."
'Abolish the suburbs'
In a bid to recapture upwardly mobile women he’ll probably need for victory, Trump's allies painted a grim future of the suburbs under Biden.
That message was exemplified by Mark and Patricia McCloskey, a St. Louis couple who drew nationwide attention for pointing guns at Black Lives Matter protesters passing their house in June.
The couple, speaking from their home, warned that the quality of life in the suburbs would be at risk of destruction under a Biden administration.
"When we don’t have basic safety and security in our communities, we will never be free to build a brighter future for ourselves, for our children and for our country," said Patty McCloskey, who praised Trump for rolling back an Obama-era rule designed to expand affordable housing to middle-income communities.
"They are not satisfied with spreading the chaos and violence into our communities, they want to abolish the suburbs altogether by ending single-family home zoning," she said. "This forced rezoning would bring crime, lawlessness and low-quality apartments into thriving suburban neighborhoods. President Trump smartly ended this government overreach, but Joe Biden wants to bring it back."
More: Hundreds of former Bush and Romney staffers endorse Joe Biden ahead of Trump RNC speech
Trump narrowly won white women (47%-45%) in 2016 against Hillary Clinton, according to a Pew Research Center study. He's struggling with these voters in 2020. A Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll in July showed him lagging Biden among suburban women, 39% to 56%.
Republican strategist Alice Stewart said suburban women will come back to Trump, given his law-and-order message at a time of growing civil unrest.
"They want safety and security," she said on CNN Tuesday. "Joe Biden, no doubt a man of compassion and empathy. But it's not about voters, and specifically women, wanting someone that makes them feel good. They want someone that makes them feel safe."
A lineup of loyalists minus the moderates
Unlike the Democratic National Convention, where centrist Republicans such as former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, former Secretary of State Colin Powell and former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman spoke on behalf of Biden last week, the roster of RNC speakers largely featured family, staff members and loyal allies.
There were relatives of crime victims, a female Marine Corps veteran and a democracy activist from China showering praise on Trump – or disdain on Biden. But most of the keynote messages were by Pence, the president's children or advisers such as Kellyanne Conway.
He confides in and consults us, respects our opinions and insists that we are on equal footing with the men," Conway said Wednesday in a speech in which she cast the president as a champion of women.
New Jersey Congressman Jefferson Van Drew, who switched parties in December and became a Republican after Trump courted him, appeared on the GOP stage to praise the president and tell viewers how much his old party is peddling a "radical, socialist agenda."
"In President Trump's America, we have a strong supply chain, good schools, we're energy independent and protect our environment," he said. "There are a lot of Democrats who support our President…and are disgusted for what their old party – what my old party – has become.""
Defending Trump 's record on the coronavirus
The GOP convention was an opportunity to try to bolster confidence in Trump's handling of the coronavirus that has killed more than 180,000 Americans and upended daily life.
There were testimonials about his decision to curtail travel from China (though not the total ban he often claims) and about his promotion of certain therapies (some of which have been oversold, according to medical experts), his efforts to distribute protective gear to states (many of which complained they didn't get enough) and his push for a vaccine by the end of the year.
"I can tell you without hesitation, Donald Trump's quick action and leadership saved thousands of lives during COVID-19," Amy Johnson Ford, a registered nurse from Williamson, West Virginia, told Monday's convention audience.
Those efforts to showcase the administration's work to combat the spread of the virus were undercut by news reports this week that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was pressured by political interests to discourage testing for those not showing symptoms even though the virus can spread before symptoms appear.
Thursday, CDC Director Robert Redfield backtracked by announcing that those who come in close contact with a confirmed or probable COVID-19 patient could be tested, even if they don’t show symptoms.
Tapping into the power of the incumbency
Trump built a following on his promises to "drain the swamp" and upend the failing institutions of government. The convention offered the former reality TV star a chance to flex his governmental powers before the millions who watched.
There he was in the White House issuing a pardon, swearing in newly naturalized citizens and meeting with hostages released from foreign countries under his watch.
He let Secretary of State Mike Pompeo beam a political message of support during a diplomatic trip in Israel, in what critics such as Wendy Sherman, a former State Department official, said broke long-standing protocol and perhaps the State Department's own policy on engaging in partisan political activity.
Trump's supporters said the president had to readjust the convention logistics after the two states picked to host its main events – Florida and North Carolina – limited gatherings because of the coronavirus.
Democrats and government watchdogs said the president's use of the White House as a backdrop for speeches – including Trump's address accepting the nomination – and ceremony is an abuse that needs to be investigated.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said it's another sign of Trump's "unethical" behavior and disregard of tradition.
"All the rules, norms, values that have made this country great, Donald Trump will destroy them. He only cares about himself," he said on C-SPAN Wednesday. "The rules are you shouldn't sit at the White House and give a speech at a (political) convention. Donald Trump says, 'I want to do it,' so they do it."


usatoday--2020-08-28--Kenosha shooting, DC protest: Kyle Rittenhouse to appear in court as thousands descend on Washington

Kyle Rittenhouse , the 17-year-old charged with homicide in the killing of two people at protests in Kenosha , Wisconsin , earlier this week , will appear in court for the first time Friday .
Rittenhouse faces a first-degree intentional homicide charge and five other charges for shooting three people , two fatally , during unrest Tuesday night in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake .
Kenosha police officer Rusten Sheskey shot Blake , a Black man , seven times in the back on Sunday , which has left Blake paralyzed from the waist down .
Rittenhouse 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a calmer night on Thursday , with volunteers cleaning up after nights of arson and vandalism and a prayer service held along Lake Michigan .
`` We 're still in the thick of many challenges but there will be a coming together around a table in coming days , '' Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser said .
Here 's what we know Friday : Kyle Rittenhouse to appear in Illinois court for extradition hearing Rittenhouse 's first court appearance will be an extradition hearing at a courthouse in Lake County , Illinois .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is facing six charges in Wisconsin , the most serious of which is first-degree intentional homicide .
Under Wisconsin law , Rittenhouse is charged as an adult , and he would face life in prison if convicted of the first-degree intentional homicide charge .
Rittenhouse also faces charges of first-degree reckless homicide , attempted first-degree intentional homicide , two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and one count of possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18 .
Videos shared on social media show various angles of how Rittenhouse used an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rosenbaum , 36 , and Anthony Huber , 26 , and injure Gaige Grosskreutz , 26 , shortly before midnight .
Visual timeline : Violence in Kenosha after police shooting of Jacob Blake In some of the video , Rittenhouse , who is white , is seen walking toward police vehicles after the shootings with his hands up in an apparent surrender , but police drive past him .
He was arrested Wednesday in Antioch .
Rittenhouse told a reporter before the shooting he had come to Kenosha from his home in Antioch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jacob Blake 's father : My son is ' a human being ' but 'has not been afforded the rights of a human' In an interview with CNN on Friday morning , Jacob Blake , Sr. , opened up about his son 's recovery and described `` two justice systems '' in which his son was shot as he walked away from police while Rittenhouse was not arrested after fatally shooting two people .
`` He 's a person .
He 's a human being .
He 's not an animal . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ son has not been afforded the rights of a human . ''
Blake told the Chicago Sun Times Thursday that his son was handcuffed to his hospital bed , even though he 's paralyzed from the waist down .
Blake has tried not to tell his son about the unrest in Kenosha .
He has gotten good news , though , Blake said .
`` The thing that made him smile was the Milwaukee Bucks .
That made him smile , '' Blake said .
The Bucks were the first of several pro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their games in the wake of the shooting as they demanded justice for Blake and the officer responsible be held accountable .
Blake said the team sent his son a signed jersey , too .
Democratic presidential and vice presidential candidates Joe Biden and Kamala Harris also spoke with Blake 's family for almost an hour , Blake said .
`` They were so comforting that you almost forgot how the situation as playing out , '' Blake said .
President Donald Trump has not reached out to his family , Blake said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grandchildren , who were in the car that his son was walking toward when police shot him , will have to deal with emotional distress of seeing the violence that happened to their father .
`` Pop pop , why did they shoot my daddy in the back ? ''
Blake said his eldest grandson asked him .
After violent unrest earlier in the week , Kenosha was calmer Thursday night .
More than 200 people prayed at Harbor Park along Lake Michigan .
The pastors who organized the event said they wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love of God , not the violence that has plagued its streets in the last week .
Earlier in the day , Kreuser and Mayor John Antaramian pledged to take on the challenges of racial inequality at the root of the protests .
`` Unity becomes one of the main aspects of what has to happen in this community , and that unity is only going to happen if all of us work together , '' Antaramian said .
The Rev .
Jesse Jackson appeared at a news conference and said the different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fit a pattern .
'We really just need prayers ' : Jacob Blake 's mother says son would be 'unpleased ' with destruction in Kenosha '' We demand justice in the country , '' the civil rights icon said .
Attorneys representing Blake and his family also drew a sharp distinction between the two cases .
“ They shot him seven times in the back in front of his children , ” the attorneys statement read , referring to Blake .
But when it came to Rittenhouse , “ local law enforcement and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the street with his assault weapon , ” said civil rights attorney Ben Crump and co-counsels Patrick Salvi and B ’ Ivory Lamarr .
The protest have drawn national attention , and President Donald Trump said earlier this week “ federal law enforcement and the National Guard ” will be sent to Kenosha to restore law and order .
On Thursday , Gov .
Tony Evers announced National Guard troops from Arizona , Michigan and Alabama will arrive to assist Wisconsin 's troops at his request .
Evers already had sent more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
A small group continued to protest in downtown Kenosha after curfew Thursday , which went into effect at 7 p.m .
Protesters made their way through the streets with stops at Library Park and the Civic Center Park .
Livestreams from people on the scene showed some arrests of protesters .
It also showed people waiting for friends who were arrested earlier to be released .
Close to midnight a group of less than 50 protesters remained .
Protesters outside the White House make themselves heard inside as Trump delivers RNC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near the White House as more than a thousand guests of the president were gathered inside in advance of President Donald Trump ’ s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention .
Shortly before 10:30 p.m. , while Ivanka Trump was in the middle of her speech to introduce her father , protesters began using bullhorns , whistles and bells while chanting “ Black Lives Matter.
” The crowds — chanting `` Black Lives Matter '' and `` No justice , no peace !
” — were gathered between the White House and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plaza , the epicenter of the protests earlier this year over racial injustice amid the death of George Floyd and others at the hands of law enforcement .
During his speech , Trump mentioned the Kenosha protests and and recent unrest in other cities .
`` In the strongest possible terms , the Republican Party condemns the rioting , looting , arson and violence we have seen in Democrat-run cities like Kenosha , Minneapolis , Portland , Chicago , New York and many others , '' he said .
Thousands to March on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are expected to gather in Washington to demand changes to law enforcement and voting rights as America reels from police killings of Black people this year that fueled protests across the country .
The march , organized in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in Minnpeapolis , is led by the Rev .
Al Sharpton and the National Action Network , marking the 57th anniversary of the historic March on Washington where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his `` I Have A Dream '' speech .
March on Washington 2020 : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe amid the coronavirus pandemic “ The reason why George Floyd laying there with that knee on his neck resonated with so many African-Americans is because we have all had a knee on our neck , ” Sharpton told USA TODAY .
“ What we are saying is that these two laws represent taking some of the knee off but the systemic racism is going to take more than two laws .
”

Ryan W. Miller, Ashley Luthern and Sarah Volpenhein, USA TODAY

Kenosha shooting: Hundreds protest in Raleigh and Portland; 2 officers tried to use stun guns on Jacob Blake
Show Caption Hide Caption Jacob Blake shooting timeline: What events led to the shooting Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot by Kenosha, Wisconsin, police on August 19. Here's a detailed timeline of events. USA TODAY
The Wisconsin Department of Justice on Friday released a statement saying two officers deployed shock weapons when trying to arrest Jacob Blake, just before one of the officers shot him seven times in the back.
The news about the stun guns comes amid protests, arrests and public outcry about the shooting. Among other news, Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old charged with homicide in the killing of two people at protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, earlier this week, will remain in custody in Illinois after a judge agreed to delay a hearing on his extradition to Wisconsin.
Rittenhouse faces a first-degree intentional homicide charge and five other charges for shooting three people, two fatally, during unrest Tuesday night in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake.
Kenosha police officer Rusten Sheskey shot Blake, a Black man, seven times in the back on Sunday, which left Blake paralyzed from the waist down. The Wisconsin Senate planned to meet in a special session Monday to discuss police reform in wake of the shooting, the Associated Press reports.
Rittenhouse did not appear for the hearing Friday in Lake County Circuit Court. Another hearing on the status of his extradition has been set for Sept. 25.
The hearing comes after Kenosha saw a calmer night on Thursday, with volunteers cleaning up after nights of arson and vandalism and a prayer service held along Lake Michigan.
"We're still in the thick of many challenges but there will be a coming together around a table in coming days," Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser said.
Meanwhile, in the nation's capital, thousands of people gathered Friday to demand police reform and voting rights at the March on Washington.
March on Washington: 'This dream is still alive': Thousands rally for racial justice
Here's what we know Friday:
Protests continue across the country
Protests that have rocked the country for months in the wake of the deaths of multiple Black people at the hands of police continued Friday.
Raleigh and Portland both saw large crowds gathered. The Raleigh Police Department tweeted multiple times late Friday night a crowd had refused to comply with the city's 10 p.m. curfew. WRAL-TV reported hundreds of protesters stayed out past curfew, and that police began arresting protesters shortly before 11:30 p.m. The Raleigh Police Department reported the crowd was detonating fireworks.
The Washington Post reported around 200 protesters blocked Interstate 295 in Washington late in the day. The Post added rain drove away many protesters, though there was some tension with police officers in the area. Across the country in Portland, protesters were reportedly outside Mayor Ted Wheeler's home.
Two officers deployed stun guns before Jacob Blake was shot
The Wisconsin Department of Justice on Friday confirmed two officers tried to use shock weapons on Blake before he was shot in the back seven times.
The new information from the DOJ further illustrates what happened in the moments leading up to the Sunday shooting that left Blake paralyzed from the waist down. According to a statement, after police attempted to arrest Blake, Officer Rusten Sheskey deployed "a Taser" on Blake.
"When that attempt failed, Kenosha Police Officer Vincent Arenas also deployed his taser, however that taser was also not successful in stopping Mr. Blake," the department said in a statement.
After that, Blake walked to his car and opened the driver-side door. Sheskey, while holding Blake's shirt, fired seven shots into Blake's back, according to the DOJ, and no other officer fired a gun. Also present was Officer Brittany Meronek.
Arenas has been with Kenosha police since February 2019 and Meronek joined the police department in January, according to the DOJ. All three officers have been placed on administrative leave.
The Wisconsin DOJ previously said Blake told officers he had a knife, and that a knife was recovered from the driver-side floorboard of Blake's car.
Kyle Rittenhouse to remain in Illinois
In a less than 10-minute hearing livestreamed Friday, a public defenders for Rittenhouse requested to waive his presence there and for more time so that he could hire his own legal team.
"We also arranged for him to have a phone call with his mother this morning," an attorney for Rittenhouse, Jennifer Snyder, said during the proceedings.
Rittenhouse, from Antioch, Illinois, is facing six charges in Wisconsin, the most serious of which is first-degree intentional homicide. Under Wisconsin law, Rittenhouse is charged as an adult, and he would face life in prison if convicted of the first-degree intentional homicide charge.
Rittenhouse also faces charges of first-degree reckless homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide, two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and one count of possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18.
Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26, were killed in the shooting; Gaige Grosskreutz, 26, was injured.
Visual timeline: Violence in Kenosha after police shooting of Jacob Blake
Videos shared on social media show various angles of Rittenhouse using an AR-15-style rifle. In some of the video, Rittenhouse, who is white, is seen walking toward police vehicles after the shootings with his hands up in an apparent surrender, but police drive past him. He was arrested Wednesday in Antioch.
Rittenhouse told a reporter before the shooting he had come to Kenosha from his home in Antioch to defend property during the unrest.
Police chief defends officers who didn't apprehend Rittenhouse
Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis said Friday that he doesn’t think it was a lapse in judgment for police officers to drive by Rittenhouse.
"The totality of the circumstances, nothing suggested this person or anybody else who was armed around them was the person," Miskinis said at a Friday afternoon press conference.
He said with other noise, including from the police radio, officers would have been "very unlikely" to have heard yelling from the crowd that the 17-year-old had shot people.
"There were a lot of people in the area, a lot of people with weapons and, unfortunately, a lot of gunfire," Miskinis said. "So what the officers were … driving into in this case was a 'shots fired' complaint, not a shooting, not a 'person down' complaint."
He said Rittenhouse walking toward police after the shooting with his hands up wouldn’t have been out of the ordinary in that situation. And while that behavior might have been abnormal two weeks ago, it no longer is, Miskinis said.
On a recording Miskinis heard, officers were telling Rittenhouse to get out of the way.
"Clearly they’re not seeing him as a suspect or a threat of any kind," Miskinis said. "He’s allowed to leave, where he goes to Antioch and turns himself in because we have no idea that he’s involved."
The officers, he said, were focused on what they see down the road.
Police union issues statements about what transpired in Blake shooting
Kenosha Police Association attorney Brendan P. Matthews and the union representing the involved officers released a lengthy statement Friday aiming to correct the record about facts related to the shooting.
"The recent officer-involved shooting in Kenosha has produced a variety of feelings and narratives; most of which are wholly inaccurate," the release said. "The purely fictional depiction of events coming from those without direct knowledge of what actually occurred is incredibly harmful and provides no benefit to anyone whatsoever, other than to perpetuate a misleading narrative."
Matthews says the officers were dispatched to the location because of a complaint that Blake was attempting to steal the caller’s keys/vehicle. According to Matthews, officers were aware of Blake’s open warrant and that he was armed with a knife.
Jacob Blake's father: My son is 'a human being' but 'has not been afforded the rights of a human'
In an interview with CNN on Friday morning, Jacob Blake Sr. opened up about his son's recovery and described "two justice systems" in which his son was shot as he walked away from police while Rittenhouse was not arrested after fatally shooting two people.
"He's a person. He's a human being. He's not an animal." Blake told CNN. "But my son has not been afforded the rights of a human."
Blake told the Chicago Sun Times Thursday that his son was handcuffed to his hospital bed, even though he's paralyzed from the waist down.
But by Friday afternoon, the handcuffs were removed, Blake's attorney, Patrick Cafferty, told CNN and Kenosha News. Deputies from Milwaukee County were stationed in Blake’s room and he was restrained because of the rules surrounding a July warrant for a domestic violence issue, according to Cafferty. The warrants have been vacated Friday, he said.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump and co-counsels Patrick Salvi and B’Ivory Lamarr, said in a statement they learned Friday the warrants for Blake were vacated, though charges against him are "still pending."
"Fortunately, a man who is paralyzed and fighting for his life after being shot seven times in the back, will no longer have to deal with the pain of having his ankles and wrist shackled and the traumatic stress of being under armed guard," the attorneys said in a statement.
USA TODAY has reached out to the Wisconsin Department of Justice to confirm Blake's warrants have been vacated.
Cafferty said he spoke with District Attorney Michael Graveley Friday morning and was able to arrange payment of $500 bond on the July charge.
Blake has tried not to tell his son about the unrest in Kenosha. He has gotten good news, though, Blake said.
Fact check: Jacob Blake faces charges in May assault case, but he has no gun convictions
"The thing that made him smile was the Milwaukee Bucks. That made him smile," Blake said. The Bucks were the first of several pro sports teams this week to sit out their games in the wake of the shooting as they demanded justice for Blake and the officer responsible be held accountable. Blake said the team sent his son a signed jersey, too.
Democratic presidential and vice presidential candidates Joe Biden and Kamala Harris also spoke with Blake's family for almost an hour, Blake said. "They were so comforting that you almost forgot how the situation as playing out," Blake said. President Donald Trump has not reached out to his family, Blake said.
Moving forward, Blake said his grandchildren, who were in the car that his son was walking toward when police shot him, will have to deal with emotional distress of seeing the violence that happened to their father.
"Pop pop, why did they shoot my daddy in the back?" Blake said his eldest grandson asked him.
Calm night Thursday in Kenosha
After violent unrest earlier in the week, Kenosha was calmer Thursday night.
More than 200 people prayed at Harbor Park along Lake Michigan. The pastors who organized the event said they wanted the city to be known for its love of God, not the violence that has plagued its streets in the last week.
Earlier in the day, Kreuser and Mayor John Antaramian pledged to take on the challenges of racial inequality at the root of the protests.
"Unity becomes one of the main aspects of what has to happen in this community, and that unity is only going to happen if all of us work together," Antaramian said.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson appeared at a news conference and said the different treatment of Blake and Rittenhouse by police fit a pattern.
'We really just need prayers': Jacob Blake's mother says son would be 'unpleased' with destruction in Kenosha
"We demand justice in the country," the civil rights icon said.
Attorneys representing Blake and his family also drew a sharp distinction between the two cases.
“They shot him seven times in the back in front of his children,” the attorneys statement read, referring to Blake.
But when it came to Rittenhouse, “local law enforcement and National Guardsmen allowed him to walk down the street with his assault weapon,” said Crump, Salvi and Lamarr.
The protest have drawn national attention, and Trump said earlier this week “federal law enforcement and the National Guard” will be sent to Kenosha to restore law and order.
On Thursday, Gov. Tony Evers announced National Guard troops from Arizona, Michigan and Alabama will arrive to assist Wisconsin's troops at his request. Evers already had sent more than 500 Wisconsin guard members to Kenosha this week.
A small group continued to protest in downtown Kenosha after curfew Thursday, which went into effect at 7 p.m.
Protesters made their way through the streets with stops at Library Park and the Civic Center Park. Livestreams from people on the scene showed some arrests of protesters. It also showed people waiting for friends who were arrested earlier to be released.
Close to midnight a group of less than 50 protesters remained.
Contributing: Matthew Brown, Maureen Groppe, David Jackson, Nicquel Terry Ellis and N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY; JR Radcliffe, Alison Dirr and Sarah Hauer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel


usatoday--2020-08-28--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigns due to chronic illness

Japan 's longest-serving Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigned Friday because a chronic illness resurfaced and he said he did not want it to affect his decision-making .
Abe , 65 , has for years suffered from ulcerative colitis , a disease that inflames the bowels .
Concerns about Abe ’ s health began this summer and grew this month when he visited a Tokyo hospital two weeks in a row for unspecified health checkups .
He has had the condition since he was a teenager .
`` It is gut-wrenching to have to leave my job before accomplishing my goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cultivated a strong relationship with President Donald Trump and the impact of his departure on U.S.-Japan ties , and world affairs , is not clear .
There was no immediate reaction from the White House .
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies ( CSIS ) , a Washington , D.C.-based foreign affairs and public policy think thank , no foreign leader has closer ties with Trump than Abe .
`` Since the 2016 presidential election , '' CSIS wrote in a recent report , `` the two leaders have met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ golf , and had 32 phone calls , at times speaking twice a week . ''
Trump arrives in Japan : A state visit to meet with PM Abe , new emperor Abe 's term ends in September 2021 .
He is expected to stay on until a new party leader is elected and formally approved by the parliament .
Abe was elected in 2012 and it is the second time he has resigned as prime minister as a result of his battles with ulcerative colitis .
He last stepped down in 2007 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time when his approval ratings hit their lowest levels due to his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and its severe impact on the economy .
A slew of political scandals have also dented his reputation .
Shigeru Ishiba , a 63-year-old hawkish former defense minister and Abe ’ s archrival , is a favorite next leader in media surveys , though he is less popular within Abe 's ruling Liberal Democratic Party .
Among other potential successors named in Japanese media : Fumio Kishida , a former foreign minister ; Defense Minister Taro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; and economic revitalization minister Yasutoshi Nishimura , who is currently in charge of coronavirus measures .
When he returned to office in 2012 , Abe vowed to revitalize the nation and get its economy out of its deflationary doldrums with his `` Abenomics '' formula , which combines fiscal stimulus , monetary easing and structural reforms .
One of Abe 's major domestic successes has been his successful bid to host the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but that success was tarnished by the coronavirus pandemic that has forced its postponement until at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's military and boosted spending on defense .
However , Abe has not been able to change a central pacifist tenet of Japan 's constitution – Article 9 – that bans the country from using its army for anything else but self-defense despite growing threats from China and North Korea .
Japan instituted Article 9 in the aftermath of its defeat in World War II .
As Hiroshima bombing turns 75 : A look at 6 changes to nuclear arms under Trump

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigns due to chronic illness
Show Caption Hide Caption Chronic illness leads Japan’s Prime Minister Abe to resign A chronic illness has caused Japan’s longest-serving prime minister to resign. Buzz60
Japan's longest-serving Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigned Friday because a chronic illness resurfaced and he said he did not want it to affect his decision-making.
Abe, 65, has for years suffered from ulcerative colitis, a disease that inflames the bowels. Concerns about Abe’s health began this summer and grew this month when he visited a Tokyo hospital two weeks in a row for unspecified health checkups.
He has had the condition since he was a teenager.
"It is gut-wrenching to have to leave my job before accomplishing my goals," he said.
Abe has cultivated a strong relationship with President Donald Trump and the impact of his departure on U.S.-Japan ties, and world affairs, is not clear.
There was no immediate reaction from the White House.
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington, D.C.-based foreign affairs and public policy think thank, no foreign leader has closer ties with Trump than Abe. "Since the 2016 presidential election," CSIS wrote in a recent report, "the two leaders have met 20 times, played 5 rounds of golf, and had 32 phone calls, at times speaking twice a week."
Trump arrives in Japan: A state visit to meet with PM Abe, new emperor
Abe's term ends in September 2021. He is expected to stay on until a new party leader is elected and formally approved by the parliament.
Abe was elected in 2012 and it is the second time he has resigned as prime minister as a result of his battles with ulcerative colitis. He last stepped down in 2007.
He will leave office at a time when his approval ratings hit their lowest levels due to his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and its severe impact on the economy.
A slew of political scandals have also dented his reputation.
Shigeru Ishiba, a 63-year-old hawkish former defense minister and Abe’s archrival, is a favorite next leader in media surveys, though he is less popular within Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Among other potential successors named in Japanese media: Fumio Kishida, a former foreign minister; Defense Minister Taro Kono; Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga; and economic revitalization minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who is currently in charge of coronavirus measures.
When he returned to office in 2012, Abe vowed to revitalize the nation and get its economy out of its deflationary doldrums with his "Abenomics" formula, which combines fiscal stimulus, monetary easing and structural reforms.
One of Abe's major domestic successes has been his successful bid to host the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but that success was tarnished by the coronavirus pandemic that has forced its postponement until at least 2021.
He has also strengthened Japan's military and boosted spending on defense.
However, Abe has not been able to change a central pacifist tenet of Japan's constitution – Article 9 – that bans the country from using its army for anything else but self-defense despite growing threats from China and North Korea.
Japan instituted Article 9 in the aftermath of its defeat in World War II.
As Hiroshima bombing turns 75: A look at 6 changes to nuclear arms under Trump
Contributing: Associated Press


usatoday--2020-08-28--Sen. Rand Paul: I was 'attacked by an angry mob' following Trump's RNC speech

Sen. Rand Paul was surrounded by a group of vocal protesters overnight who he said threatened his life as he was heading back to his hotel in Washington D.C. from the White House following the conclusion of the Republican National Convention .
`` Just got attacked by an angry mob of over 100 , one block away from the White House , '' Paul wrote in a tweet at 1:39 a.m. Friday .
`` Thank you to @ DCPoliceDept for literally saving our lives from a crazed mob . ''
Protesters took to the street in the nation 's capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his nomination acceptance speech from the South Lawn of the White House .
Paul , an attendee of the Republican National Convention , gave a speech on Tuesday in support of Trump 's reelection .
Videos on social media show protesters surrounding Paul and his wife , Kelley Ashby Paul , on a crowded block in Washington D.C .
Protesters are chanting `` no justice , no peace '' and `` say her name , Breonna Taylor . ''
Takeaways from the RNC : The GOP sought to soften Trump 's edges while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winning suburban voters In the videos , police formed a perimeter around the Pauls , telling protesters `` move back . ''
At one point , an officer appears to be pushed and almost falls , with Paul appearing to catch him .
`` They all need to be arrested , '' Paul said of protesters on `` Fox & Friends '' Friday morning .
`` The bottom line is , we can not let the United States become Portland . ''
Paul was not alone in being confronted by protesters : Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who endorsed Trump at the convention , and Rep. Brian Mast , R-Fla. , were also approached as police separated protesters from them .
As he walked into the crowd , Mast told the Daily Caller he respected the demonstrations .
`` It 's one of the beautiful things about America , that everybody 's allowed to voice their opinion , '' he said .
`` It 's what soldiers fight for . ''
Video footage posted on social media shows the crowd of protesters surrounded Mast as he approached , parting when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walking alongside him .
Protesters continued to shout `` Black lives matter '' as he walked , while he had private conversations with some members of the crowd directly by his side .
These incidents have come as , back in Paul 's home state of Kentucky , protesters in Louisville have been marching for more than 90 days to demand justice for Breonna Taylor , the 26-year-old Black woman and emergency room technician who was unarmed when killed inside her home in March .
In June , Paul filed federal legislation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using no-knock warrants like the one that led to the fatal shooting of Taylor .
The Louisville Metro Council voted unanimously on June 11 to ban no-knock warrants .
Contact Ben Tobin at bjtobin @ gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @ TobinBen .

Ben Tobin and Jason Lalljee, Louisville Courier Journal

Sen. Rand Paul: I was 'attacked by an angry mob' following Trump's RNC speech
Show Caption Hide Caption Sen. Rand Paul says he was surrounded by 'angry mob' after RNC Protesters shouted Breonna Taylor's name and demanded justice as they encircled Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky. He called them an "angry mob." USA TODAY, Storyful
Sen. Rand Paul was surrounded by a group of vocal protesters overnight who he said threatened his life as he was heading back to his hotel in Washington D.C. from the White House following the conclusion of the Republican National Convention.
"Just got attacked by an angry mob of over 100, one block away from the White House," Paul wrote in a tweet at 1:39 a.m. Friday. "Thank you to @DCPoliceDept for literally saving our lives from a crazed mob."
Protesters took to the street in the nation's capital Thursday evening as President Donald Trump gave his nomination acceptance speech from the South Lawn of the White House. Paul, an attendee of the Republican National Convention, gave a speech on Tuesday in support of Trump's reelection.
Videos on social media show protesters surrounding Paul and his wife, Kelley Ashby Paul, on a crowded block in Washington D.C. Protesters are chanting "no justice, no peace" and "say her name, Breonna Taylor."
Takeaways from the RNC: The GOP sought to soften Trump's edges while vilifying Biden at a convention focused on winning suburban voters
Protesters try to drown out Trump's speech Hundreds of demonstrators gathered around the White House on Thursday night for a “noise demonstration and dance party" in an attempt to drown out President Donald Trump's speech accepting the Republican presidential nomination. (Aug. 28) AP
In the videos, police formed a perimeter around the Pauls, telling protesters "move back." At one point, an officer appears to be pushed and almost falls, with Paul appearing to catch him.
"They all need to be arrested," Paul said of protesters on "Fox & Friends" Friday morning. "The bottom line is, we cannot let the United States become Portland."
Paul was not alone in being confronted by protesters: Georgia state Rep. Vernon Jones, a Democrat who endorsed Trump at the convention, and Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., were also approached as police separated protesters from them.
As he walked into the crowd, Mast told the Daily Caller he respected the demonstrations.
"It's one of the beautiful things about America, that everybody's allowed to voice their opinion," he said. "It's what soldiers fight for."
Video footage posted on social media shows the crowd of protesters surrounded Mast as he approached, parting when he asked to be let through and walking alongside him.
Protesters continued to shout "Black lives matter" as he walked, while he had private conversations with some members of the crowd directly by his side.
Crowd swarms Congressman @BrianMastFL after Trump’s speech at the White House. pic.twitter.com/HGywceQJma — Henry Rodgers (@henryrodgersdc) August 28, 2020
These incidents have come as, back in Paul's home state of Kentucky, protesters in Louisville have been marching for more than 90 days to demand justice for Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old Black woman and emergency room technician who was unarmed when killed inside her home in March.
In June, Paul filed federal legislation to prohibit police officers across the country from using no-knock warrants like the one that led to the fatal shooting of Taylor. The Louisville Metro Council voted unanimously on June 11 to ban no-knock warrants.
Contact Ben Tobin at bjtobin@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @TobinBen.


usatoday--2020-08-28--President Trump accepts Republican nomination, attacks Biden on foreign policy, trade and economy

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump formally accepted his party ’ s nomination for a second term Thursday in a scorching address from the White House in which he sought to defend his record on the pandemic while tearing down Democrat Joe Biden – sometimes inaccurately – as a “ weak ” instrument of his party ’ s left-wing .
`` Joe Biden is not a savior of America 's soul , '' Trump asserted during roughly 70 minutes of remarks .
`` He is the destroyer of America 's jobs . ''
Mostly sticking to prepared remarks , Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House at times had the feel of one of his campaign rallies : A crowd of some 1,500 gathered to hear him speak .
But the president resisted his urge to veer off message , moving linearly as he framed his agenda – and tried to define Biden ’ s .
In a blistering series of attacks , Trump accused Biden of being a `` Trojan horse for socialism , '' and reiterated claims that Democrats , if brought to power , would `` demolish the suburbs '' and `` wipe away your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved to the left , Biden won his party ’ s nomination by staking out a centrist platform on health care , taxes and other issues .
“ We understand that America is not a land that ’ s cloaked in darkness .
America is the torch that lights the entire world , ” Trump said .
`` This towering America spirit has prevailed over every challenge and lifted us to the summit of human endeavors . ''
'The results speak for themselves ' : What Ivanka Trump and her siblings said about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most noted lines of Biden ’ s ownacceptance speech last week came when he promised to deliver the nation out of division , arguing thatTrump “ has cloaked America in darkness for much too long.
” '' If you entrust me with the presidency , I will draw on the best of us , not the worst , '' Biden said .
`` I will be an ally of the light , not the darkness . ''
Trump went after that line twice on Thursday .
He accused Democrats of having an agenda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk about it at their convention .
`` Joe Biden may claim he is an ally of the light , '' he said .
`` But when it comes to his agenda , Biden wants to keep us completely in the dark . ''
Biden aides dismissed the address as divorced from the reality of Trump 's administration .
“ Instead of a strategy to overcome the pandemic , or any concern for the unbearable suffering in our country right now as a result of his ongoing failures , what we heard was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crushing reality that ordinary Americans face , '' Biden campaign spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield said in a statement .
Americans , Bedingfield said , `` know the truth about Trump ’ s crisis-plagued presidency because they are living it every single day . ''
'All lives matter to us ' : Rudy Giuliani slams anti-police brutality protests in RNC speech Trump also attacked a centerpiece of Biden ’ s convention last week : The effort made by several speakers to convince voters of the candidate 's his empathy .
Trump criticized Biden for voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for supporting China ’ s entry into the World Trade Organization .
Those `` Biden calamities , '' he said , cost the nation manufacturing jobs .
`` The laid off workers in Michigan , Ohio , New Hampshire , Pennsylvania , and many other states did n't want to hear Biden 's hollow words of empathy , ” he said , “ they wanted their jobs back . ''
Those who like Trump 's speech said it had strong lines defending his record and warning undecided voters of the consequences of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who attended the speech on the South Lawn , cited Trump 's line questioning `` how can the Democrat party lead our country when they spend so much time tearing down our country.
” It was the kind of catchy phrase that not only drew applause but that had also been largely absent from both conventions .
`` It 's disjointed and long , '' said Tim Miller , political director of a group called Republican Voters Against Trump .
`` And aimed at winning back people that he 's lost – @ @ @ @ @ @

John Fritze, Maureen Groppe and David Jackson, USA TODAY

President Trump accepts Republican nomination, attacks Biden on foreign policy, trade and economy
Show Caption Hide Caption Pres. Trump accepts nomination: 'For America, nothing is impossible' President Donald Trump accepts the Republican presidential nomination with a speech expressing American excellence. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump formally accepted his party’s nomination for a second term Thursday in a scorching address from the White House in which he sought to defend his record on the pandemic while tearing down Democrat Joe Biden – sometimes inaccurately – as a “weak” instrument of his party’s left-wing.
"Joe Biden is not a savior of America's soul," Trump asserted during roughly 70 minutes of remarks. "He is the destroyer of America's jobs."
Mostly sticking to prepared remarks, Trump’s unusual acceptance speech at the White House at times had the feel of one of his campaign rallies: A crowd of some 1,500 gathered to hear him speak. But the president resisted his urge to veer off message, moving linearly as he framed his agenda – and tried to define Biden’s.
In a blistering series of attacks, Trump accused Biden of being a "Trojan horse for socialism," and reiterated claims that Democrats, if brought to power, would "demolish the suburbs" and "wipe away your Second Amendment."
While Democrats have moved to the left, Biden won his party’s nomination by staking out a centrist platform on health care, taxes and other issues.
Read live RNC coverage: Trump formally accepts nomination during convention speech
“We understand that America is not a land that’s cloaked in darkness. America is the torch that lights the entire world,” Trump said. "This towering America spirit has prevailed over every challenge and lifted us to the summit of human endeavors."
'The results speak for themselves': What Ivanka Trump and her siblings said about their father at the RNC
Among the most noted lines of Biden’s own acceptance speech last week came when he promised to deliver the nation out of division, arguing that Trump “has cloaked America in darkness for much too long.”
"If you entrust me with the presidency, I will draw on the best of us, not the worst," Biden said. "I will be an ally of the light, not the darkness."
Trump went after that line twice on Thursday. He accused Democrats of having an agenda so radical that they couldn’t talk about it at their convention.
"Joe Biden may claim he is an ally of the light," he said. "But when it comes to his agenda, Biden wants to keep us completely in the dark."
Biden aides dismissed the address as divorced from the reality of Trump's administration.
“Instead of a strategy to overcome the pandemic, or any concern for the unbearable suffering in our country right now as a result of his ongoing failures, what we heard was a delusional vision completely divorced from the crushing reality that ordinary Americans face," Biden campaign spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield said in a statement.
RNC: McConnell: Dems want to control 'how many hamburgers' you eat Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell lists off various reasons why voters shouldn't cast ballots for former Vice President Joe Biden. USA TODAY
Americans, Bedingfield said, "know the truth about Trump’s crisis-plagued presidency because they are living it every single day."
'All lives matter to us': Rudy Giuliani slams anti-police brutality protests in RNC speech
Trump also attacked a centerpiece of Biden’s convention last week : The effort made by several speakers to convince voters of the candidate's his empathy.
Trump criticized Biden for voting for the North American Free Trade Agreement and for supporting China’s entry into the World Trade Organization. Those "Biden calamities," he said, cost the nation manufacturing jobs.
"The laid off workers in Michigan, Ohio, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and many other states didn't want to hear Biden's hollow words of empathy,” he said, “they wanted their jobs back."
Those who like Trump's speech said it had strong lines defending his record and warning undecided voters of the consequences of a Biden victory.
Pollster Frank Luntz, who attended the speech on the South Lawn, cited Trump's line questioning "how can the Democrat party lead our country when they spend so much time tearing down our country.” It was the kind of catchy phrase that not only drew applause but that had also been largely absent from both conventions.
"That's memorable," Luntz said. "That’s powerful."
Critics found Trump's delivery slow and plodding.
"It's disjointed and long," said Tim Miller, political director of a group called Republican Voters Against Trump. "And aimed at winning back people that he's lost – not winning over anyone new. "
.


usatoday--2020-08-28--The Backstory: Our journalists' top takeaways from the Democratic and Republican conventions

I 'm USA TODAY editor-in-chief Nicole Carroll , and this is The Backstory , insights into our biggest stories of the week .
If you 'd like to get The Backstory in your inbox every week , sign up here .
Susan Page has covered 10 presidential elections and all 20 political conventions .
At her first in Detroit in 1980 , she was such a junior reporter she was assigned to stay in a hotel in Canada .
`` I had to cross the border twice a day , '' she says .
I asked Page , USA TODAY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takeaways from the Democratic and Republican conventions over the past two weeks , Nos .
19 and 20 for her .
`` These are the first conventions I ’ ve covered from various rooms in my house .
Does that still count ? ''
she asks .
`` The food is better at home , but I miss the serendipity of in-person conventions — the chance to catch the spontaneous reaction of the crowd , like Bernie Sanders ’ supporters booing the DNC chair in 2016 , and Illinois State Sen. Barack Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The conventions every four years are the Super Bowl for political journalists .
As soon as host cities are announced , planning begins .
We were ready for Milwaukee ( Democrats ) and Charlotte ( Republicans ) .
Then things changed ( President Donald Trump to Jacksonville ) , then changed again ( maybe Gettysburg ) and changed again ( the White House ) .
Meanwhile , Joe Biden and the Democrats centered on Wilmington , Delaware , with feeds from all states and territories .
White House correspondent John Fritze said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage .
`` Which up-and-comers are addressing the Iowa delegation breakfast ?
What ’ s on the minds of the delegates or alternates — the party faithful — no one ’ s ever heard of ?
Which strategists are plotting their next job with which potential candidate in the hotel bar ? ''
he asked .
`` All of that went missing this time . ''
But the basics for us never changed .
`` Cover the news , '' Page said .
`` Put it in context .
Fact-check the claims .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ like we ’ ve never seen before . ''
While Page has covered 20 conventions , for national political correspondent Phillip Bailey , it was his first .
His takeaway : Colorblind conservatives are no more .
`` In the first two days of the GOP convention , prominent figures , such as former Gov .
Nikki Haley and Sen. Tim Scott , R-S.C. , talked up their racial and ethnic background as a sign of strength within the conservative movement 's ranks , '' Bailey said .
`` It was a departure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distinctions to emphasize common bonds of civic pride over any overt plays to ethic identity . ''
He thought Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron , who is Black , made one of the more striking additions to this narrative `` when looking at the camera and telling Democratic nominee Joe Biden to 'look at me .
I am black .
We are not all the same , sir .
I am not in chains .
My mind is my own .
And you can ’ t tell me how to vote because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Congressional correspondent Nicholas Wu was interested that the conventions presented different visions of America , but both against the backdrop of the racial protests and COVID-19 .
I asked , do you feel like this was acknowledged ?
`` They certainly tried , '' he said .
`` But it ’ s an interesting juxtaposition of what ’ s ostensibly a celebration of a party at a time of so much national tragedy . ''
USA TODAY has a robust fact checking team .
Political editor Louie Villalobos says they 'll be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of half-truths and lies being spread during both weeks and the level of interest from readers in journalists calling that out , '' he said .
`` We can see clearly that our readers want factual context and for us to point out when somebody lies , especially when that somebody is President Trump or Joe Biden .
`` We have a ton of work to do between now and the election . ''
Political reporter Rebecca Morin believes the stories from real people were game-changers and could shift convention strategies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you think of conventions , I feel like we 're watching for the next rising star in each party , '' she said .
`` There seems to be this renewed focus on trying to tell stories from real Americans .
For example , at the DNC , Brayden Harrington ( the teen who talked about his stutter ) stole the show . ''
One message that came across loud and clear for Washington editor Caren Bohan : The effort by Team Trump to answer the “ character ” question that Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Democrats had portrayed Trump as a divisive leader , lacking the empathy and maturity to lead the nation at a time of crisis , '' said Bohan , who has covered five rounds of conventions .
`` Ahead of the RNC , our team had been reporting that one of the reasons there were some last-minute decisions in the format for the RNC was that the planners were looking closely at the DNC and trying to gauge which themes they might want to hit back on . ''
Political reporter Joey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Trump struggling in the polls with suburban voters .
`` The convention cast Trump as a champion for women who has empowered their careers .
Republicans featured several African American men speakers who pushed back at the suggestion that Trump is a racist , '' he said .
`` These messages complemented the other overt play to the suburbs – tying Biden to violent protests across the nation and warning , 'You won ’ t be safe in Joe Biden ’ s America . '
'' `` Democrats have sought to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they used the convention to unite different wings of their party to really drill into that message , '' she said .
`` Republicans said the GOP convention really needed to focus on making it a choice between two candidates and two visions for America .
`` But set against the backdrop of multiple crises – the pandemic , a recession , renewed protests over racial injustice and now a hurricane – the question is whether Republicans can convince Americans that a second term wo n't see the same amount of turmoil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump presidency . ''
Nicole Carroll is the editor-in-chief of USA TODAY .
Reach her at EIC @ usatoday.com or follow her on Twitter here .
Thank you for supporting our journalism .
You can subscribe to our print edition , ad-free experience or electronic newspaper replica here .

The Backstory: Our journalists' top takeaways from the Democratic and Republican conventions
I'm USA TODAY editor-in-chief Nicole Carroll, and this is The Backstory, insights into our biggest stories of the week. If you'd like to get The Backstory in your inbox every week, sign up here.
Susan Page has covered 10 presidential elections and all 20 political conventions. At her first in Detroit in 1980, she was such a junior reporter she was assigned to stay in a hotel in Canada. "I had to cross the border twice a day," she says.
I asked Page, USA TODAY's Washington bureau chief, for her takeaways from the Democratic and Republican conventions over the past two weeks, Nos. 19 and 20 for her.
"These are the first conventions I’ve covered from various rooms in my house. Does that still count?" she asks. "The food is better at home, but I miss the serendipity of in-person conventions — the chance to catch the spontaneous reaction of the crowd, like Bernie Sanders’ supporters booing the DNC chair in 2016, and Illinois State Sen. Barack Obama igniting the hall in 2004."
The conventions every four years are the Super Bowl for political journalists. As soon as host cities are announced, planning begins. We were ready for Milwaukee (Democrats) and Charlotte (Republicans). Then things changed (President Donald Trump to Jacksonville), then changed again (maybe Gettysburg) and changed again (the White House). Meanwhile, Joe Biden and the Democrats centered on Wilmington, Delaware, with feeds from all states and territories.
White House correspondent John Fritze said that usually there is much action off the stage.
"Which up-and-comers are addressing the Iowa delegation breakfast? What’s on the minds of the delegates or alternates — the party faithful — no one’s ever heard of? Which strategists are plotting their next job with which potential candidate in the hotel bar?" he asked. "All of that went missing this time."
But the basics for us never changed. "Cover the news," Page said. "Put it in context. Fact-check the claims. And get ready for a fall campaign like we’ve never seen before."
While Page has covered 20 conventions, for national political correspondent Phillip Bailey, it was his first. His takeaway: Colorblind conservatives are no more.
"In the first two days of the GOP convention, prominent figures, such as former Gov. Nikki Haley and Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., talked up their racial and ethnic background as a sign of strength within the conservative movement's ranks," Bailey said. "It was a departure in that Republicans have typically eschewed those distinctions to emphasize common bonds of civic pride over any overt plays to ethic identity."
He thought Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who is Black, made one of the more striking additions to this narrative "when looking at the camera and telling Democratic nominee Joe Biden to 'look at me. I am black. We are not all the same, sir. I am not in chains. My mind is my own. And you can’t tell me how to vote because of the color of my skin.'"
Congressional correspondent Nicholas Wu was interested that the conventions presented different visions of America, but both against the backdrop of the racial protests and COVID-19. I asked, do you feel like this was acknowledged?
"They certainly tried," he said. "But it’s an interesting juxtaposition of what’s ostensibly a celebration of a party at a time of so much national tragedy."
USA TODAY has a robust fact checking team. Political editor Louie Villalobos says they'll be busy.
"What struck me was the number of half-truths and lies being spread during both weeks and the level of interest from readers in journalists calling that out," he said. "We can see clearly that our readers want factual context and for us to point out when somebody lies, especially when that somebody is President Trump or Joe Biden.
"We have a ton of work to do between now and the election."
Political reporter Rebecca Morin believes the stories from real people were game-changers and could shift convention strategies moving forward.
"Traditionally, when you think of conventions, I feel like we're watching for the next rising star in each party," she said. "There seems to be this renewed focus on trying to tell stories from real Americans. For example, at the DNC, Brayden Harrington (the teen who talked about his stutter) stole the show."
One message that came across loud and clear for Washington editor Caren Bohan: The effort by Team Trump to answer the “character” question that Joe Biden and Democrats had raised the week before.
"Democrats had portrayed Trump as a divisive leader, lacking the empathy and maturity to lead the nation at a time of crisis," said Bohan, who has covered five rounds of conventions. "Ahead of the RNC, our team had been reporting that one of the reasons there were some last-minute decisions in the format for the RNC was that the planners were looking closely at the DNC and trying to gauge which themes they might want to hit back on."
Political reporter Joey Garrison says the shift was in reaction to Trump struggling in the polls with suburban voters.
"The convention cast Trump as a champion for women who has empowered their careers. Republicans featured several African American men speakers who pushed back at the suggestion that Trump is a racist," he said. "These messages complemented the other overt play to the suburbs – tying Biden to violent protests across the nation and warning, 'You won’t be safe in Joe Biden’s America.'"
White House correspondent Courtney Subramanian sees the distinction clearly.
"Democrats have sought to make the election a referendum on Trump, and they used the convention to unite different wings of their party to really drill into that message," she said. "Republicans said the GOP convention really needed to focus on making it a choice between two candidates and two visions for America.
"But set against the backdrop of multiple crises – the pandemic, a recession, renewed protests over racial injustice and now a hurricane – the question is whether Republicans can convince Americans that a second term won't see the same amount of turmoil that has marked this last stretch of the Trump presidency."
Nicole Carroll is the editor-in-chief of USA TODAY. Reach her at EIC@usatoday.com or follow her on Twitter here. Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free experience or electronic newspaper replica here.


usatoday--2020-08-28--Donald Trump sells himself at RNC: Reelect me to fix the problems I created

Four years ago , at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland , Donald Trump portrayed an America beset by violence and economic ruin .
After setting that stage , and in one of his most messianic moments , he declared that crime would end and that only he could deliver the nation from these ruinous calamities : “ I alone can fix it.
” In point of fact , over the past 3 1/2 years , he has not so much delivered us from these things as he has delivered these things to us .
When Trump spoke in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
Today it is 10.2 % .
When he spoke in 2016 , the nation had just been through an Ebola scare , which the Obama administration had handled with great skill and very little loss of life .
Today , more than 180,000 Americans are dead from COVID-19 , the highest toll of any nation and a number far higher than it would have been under more competent stewardship in Washington .
When he spoke in 2016 , the crime rate was quite low .
Today , it is still low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unrest in select cities to paint a picture of rampant lawlessness , asserting that `` no one will be safe '' in Joe Biden 's America and that Democrats would `` demolish '' the suburbs .
As he took to the South Lawn platform Thursday night , after plans to deliver his acceptance in Charlotte , North Carolina , and Jacksonville , Florida , fell through because of the pandemic , to accept the Republican Party 's nomination for a second term , the most responsible words Trump could have uttered would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alas , no such luck .
Instead , Trump , inappropriately using the White House as backdrop for a political speech , and in front of a mostly maskless crowd that was not socially distanced , delivered a sometimes listless , sometimes blistering account that could have been titled : I alone am still the only one who can fix it .
As an exercise in logic , it is the equivalent of a quadruple axel , something like : You have to vote for me to solve the problems that I created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polling showing that many of the voters he must reach , including some within his own party , are fatigued by his incendiary rhetoric .
But he also knows that if the election comes down strictly to a referendum on his first term , he loses .
To that end , he tried in his speech to make the election a choice between two competing philosophies and to portray his opponent , Joe Biden , as a frightening menace to society .
`` This election , '' Trump said , `` will decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether we allow a socialist agenda to demolish our cherished destiny . ''
Trump has spent much of his first term claiming that the sun rises in the West and water flows uphill .
On Thursday , he even laughably claimed to have `` done more for the African American community than any president since Abraham Lincoln . ''
Never mind that his factually challenged 70-minute address was long on support for law enforcement and short on references to incidents of police brutality that triggered the recent protests .
Even Trump seems to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a wild-eyed leftist , so the president tried to make the case that the Democratic presidential nominee will be a puppet of progressives .
Yet as progressive Democrats know well , Biden played a key role in some of the ill-conceived crime-fighting legislation of the '90s and supported the Iraq War .
His agenda , meanwhile , could hardly be called radical , though it has been drifting left in recent years .
Its most salient feature is a yearning for the world that existed before Trump tried to fix everything .

Donald Trump sells himself at RNC: Reelect me to fix the problems I created Our View: He promised in 2016 to deliver America from evils. Instead, the president has delivered evils to America.
Show Caption Hide Caption Pres. Trump accepts nomination: 'For America, nothing is impossible' President Donald Trump accepts the Republican presidential nomination with a speech expressing American excellence. USA TODAY
Four years ago, at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Donald Trump portrayed an America beset by violence and economic ruin. After setting that stage, and in one of his most messianic moments, he declared that crime would end and that only he could deliver the nation from these ruinous calamities: “I alone can fix it.”
In point of fact, over the past 3 1/2 years, he has not so much delivered us from these things as he has delivered these things to us.
When Trump spoke in 2016, the unemployment rate was under 5%. Today it is 10.2%. When he spoke in 2016, the nation had just been through an Ebola scare, which the Obama administration had handled with great skill and very little loss of life. Today, more than 180,000 Americans are dead from COVID-19, the highest toll of any nation and a number far higher than it would have been under more competent stewardship in Washington. When he spoke in 2016, the crime rate was quite low. Today, it is still low. But Trump is intent on using unrest in select cities to paint a picture of rampant lawlessness, asserting that "no one will be safe" in Joe Biden's America and that Democrats would "demolish" the suburbs.
Maskless convention at White House
As he took to the South Lawn platform Thursday night, after plans to deliver his acceptance in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Jacksonville, Florida, fell through because of the pandemic, to accept the Republican Party's nomination for a second term, the most responsible words Trump could have uttered would have been: I’m sorry.
Alas, no such luck. Instead, Trump, inappropriately using the White House as backdrop for a political speech, and in front of a mostly maskless crowd that was not socially distanced, delivered a sometimes listless, sometimes blistering account that could have been titled: I alone am still the only one who can fix it.
As an exercise in logic, it is the equivalent of a quadruple axel, something like: You have to vote for me to solve the problems that I created or exacerbated.
Factually challenged 70 minutes
Trump must see the polling showing that many of the voters he must reach, including some within his own party, are fatigued by his incendiary rhetoric. But he also knows that if the election comes down strictly to a referendum on his first term, he loses.
To that end, he tried in his speech to make the election a choice between two competing philosophies and to portray his opponent, Joe Biden, as a frightening menace to society. "This election," Trump said, "will decide whether we save the American dream or whether we allow a socialist agenda to demolish our cherished destiny."
Trump has spent much of his first term claiming that the sun rises in the West and water flows uphill. On Thursday, he even laughably claimed to have "done more for the African American community than any president since Abraham Lincoln." Never mind that his factually challenged 70-minute address was long on support for law enforcement and short on references to incidents of police brutality that triggered the recent protests.
Even Trump seems to realize that Biden can't be labeled as a wild-eyed leftist, so the president tried to make the case that the Democratic presidential nominee will be a puppet of progressives. Yet as progressive Democrats know well, Biden played a key role in some of the ill-conceived crime-fighting legislation of the '90s and supported the Iraq War. His agenda, meanwhile, could hardly be called radical, though it has been drifting left in recent years.
Its most salient feature is a yearning for the world that existed before Trump tried to fix everything.


usatoday--2020-08-28--Twitter creatively reimagines first lady Melania Trump's RNC 'green screen' dress

Bright green , while a lovely and vibrant hue on its own , is also notable for being the likely color of a screen that an editor can replace with any number of backdrops to make for a more compelling scene .
Bright green was also the color of the dress that Melania Trump chose to wear on the final night of the Republican National Convention .
The gown — pleated and lime-colored with a red belt — flowed brilliantly down the White House steps when she escorted President Donald Trump to the podium to accept the Republican nomination for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw the garment as a `` green screen dress '' that awaited editing .
It was n't long before Melania 's outfit was made to look like everything from a dress-shaped projection of former Vice President Joe Biden 's face to a home for dancing viruses .
Twitter user Parker Molloy reimagined the green dress as a sign plastered with the number of American deaths from COVID-19 .
Another pandemic-themed version , by @ _sheateher , had viruses printed on it .
Pia Guerra superimposed a picture of former President Barack Obama 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a version of the gown with cow print , courtesy of @ EmptyWording .
PodSaveAmerica got meta with their dress design , superimposing the first couple on it .
`` The Daily Show '' put video of Trump and Jeffrey Epstein on the outfit .
Scott Brown thought to give Biden some attention during this time .
One has to wonder : Did Melania and her team anticipate that the dress would be mocked , much like Queen Elizabeth 's bright green outfit once was ?
Or is that thought `` ridiculous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first lady 's chief of staff , said it was when eagle-eyed critics thought Melania purposely wore a jacket with a design that looked like a plane flying into a tower on 9/11 .
Is it just a dress , much like the jacket that said `` I REALLY DO N'T CARE '' was just `` a jacket , '' as Grisham said about the Zara coat the first lady wore in June 2018 ?
`` I hope the media is n't going to choose to focus on her wardrobe , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where many female speakers including Kimberly Guilfoyle , Lara Trump and Kellyanne Conway stuck with flag-hued convention looks , it 's hard not to make note of Melania 's alternative choices that included an army green , double breasted blazer for her speech on Tuesday .
Was the latter intentionally militaristic ?
As for the Thursday night dress , perhaps it means whatever people project onto it .

Twitter creatively reimagines first lady Melania Trump's RNC 'green screen' dress
Show Caption Hide Caption Melania Trump's final RNC outfit was dubbed the 'green screen dress' First lady Melania Trump wore a bright green dress on the final night of the RNC, and critics had a field day superimposing images on it. USA TODAY, Associated Press
Bright green, while a lovely and vibrant hue on its own, is also notable for being the likely color of a screen that an editor can replace with any number of backdrops to make for a more compelling scene.
Bright green was also the color of the dress that Melania Trump chose to wear on the final night of the Republican National Convention. The gown — pleated and lime-colored with a red belt — flowed brilliantly down the White House steps when she escorted President Donald Trump to the podium to accept the Republican nomination for reelection.
But many people on Twitter saw the garment as a "green screen dress" that awaited editing. It wasn't long before Melania's outfit was made to look like everything from a dress-shaped projection of former Vice President Joe Biden's face to a home for dancing viruses.
Twitter user Parker Molloy reimagined the green dress as a sign plastered with the number of American deaths from COVID-19.
Another pandemic-themed version, by @_sheateher, had viruses printed on it.
Pia Guerra superimposed a picture of former President Barack Obama's birth certificate on the garment.
There was a version of the gown with cow print, courtesy of @EmptyWording.
Something is funky with Melania's dress. pic.twitter.com/8ZiX3TQECq — emptywording (@EmptyWording) August 28, 2020
And a weather forecast, shared by @YesYoureRacist.
Pod Save America got meta with their dress design, superimposing the first couple on it.
Melania likes art. pic.twitter.com/DROuVAJZeo — Pod Save America (@PodSaveAmerica) August 28, 2020
"The Daily Show" put video of Trump and Jeffrey Epstein on the outfit.
Melania's fashion choices always send a message pic.twitter.com/FvriwnX0fR — The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) August 28, 2020
Scott Brown thought to give Biden some attention during this time.
Everyone will be talking about Melania's dress after this is all over. #RNC2020 pic.twitter.com/KosqGenMwc — Scott Brown (@ScottBrownDC) August 28, 2020
One has to wonder: Did Melania and her team anticipate that the dress would be mocked, much like Queen Elizabeth's bright green outfit once was? Or is that thought "ridiculous," as Stephanie Grisham, now the first lady's chief of staff, said it was when eagle-eyed critics thought Melania purposely wore a jacket with a design that looked like a plane flying into a tower on 9/11.
Is it just a dress, much like the jacket that said "I REALLY DON'T CARE" was just "a jacket," as Grisham said about the Zara coat the first lady wore in June 2018? "I hope the media isn't going to choose to focus on her wardrobe," Grisham added.
At a political event where many female speakers including Kimberly Guilfoyle, Lara Trump and Kellyanne Conway stuck with flag-hued convention looks, it's hard not to make note of Melania's alternative choices that included an army green, double breasted blazer for her speech on Tuesday. Was the latter intentionally militaristic?
As for the Thursday night dress, perhaps it means whatever people project onto it.
Contributing: Maria Puente