After months of preparation, Milwaukee is set to host the 2024 Republican National Convention.
But now, news continues to break about the nearly assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
The RNC officially started on Monday and will run through Thursday, but there will be plenty of events happening on Sunday. The Journal Sentinel is covering it live, so you can follow the latest updates here throughout the day. Be sure to refresh your browser frequently to get the latest updates.
President Trump to depart for Milwaukee soon
Former President Trump said he would arrive in Milwaukee on Sunday, just hours after he was wounded in an assassination attempt during a Saturday rally in Pennsylvania.
Speaking on “Truth Social” on Sunday afternoon, Trump said he had initially planned to delay his arrival at the Republican National Convention in the wake of the shooting, but would instead leave for Milwaukee as scheduled at 3:30 p.m.
“In light of yesterday’s horrific events, I had intended to postpone my trip to Wisconsin and the Republican National Convention for two days,” he wrote, “but I have decided that I cannot allow a ‘gunman’ or potential assassin to force schedule or other changes.”
The same day, President Joe Biden said he had asked the Secret Service to “review all security measures” for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
“As I said last night, there is no room for this kind of violence, or any violence, in America,” Biden said Sunday. “This assassination attempt goes against everything we stand for as a nation.”
Biden says he has ordered the Secret Service to review security measures at the Republican National Committee
President Joe Biden delivered a short speech from the White House on Sunday afternoon, revealing that he spoke with former President Donald Trump on Saturday night. President Biden is scheduled to address the nation from the Oval Office on Sunday evening.
“I have directed the Director of the Secret Service to review all of our security procedures in preparation for the Republican National Convention, which begins tomorrow,” Biden said.
Biden stressed that all security measures will be reviewed, and the Secret Service has not yet released information about what security measures may be changed.
— Hope Curnop
Melania Trump issues statement after assassination attempt
Former First Lady Melania Trump released a statement on Sunday about the assassination attempt on her husband, former President Donald Trump.
“When I saw those vicious bullets strike my husband, Donald, I realized that my life and Barron’s were on the brink of devastating change,” Melania Trump said, adding that she was grateful to the Secret Service and law enforcement officers who “risked their lives to protect my husband.”
“The winds of change are blowing,” she concluded her statement. “I thank you for your tears of support. I applaud those who reached out across political lines. Thank you for remembering that politicians are men and women with families to love.”
Melania Trump is not on the list of headliner or keynote speakers for the Republican National Convention, but other members of the Trump family are expected to speak, including his sons Donald Jr. and Eric Trump, and Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump.
— Hope Curnop
The delegation arrives at Mitchell International
Brenda Milewski, 64, walked through the terminal at General Mitchell International Airport on Sunday morning carrying a black-and-red tote bag emblazoned with words urging people to “Vote for Trump.”
Milewski, a Washington state delegate, was among visitors who began arriving in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday night. Some RNC attendees arriving at the airport were concerned about the shooting, but several said they were still excited about the convention and weren’t worried about safety or security in Milwaukee.
“I’m excited,” Milewski said. “I’m very confident. Even though we had what happened yesterday, we’re still going to be pretty strong and I know Trump is on our side, so I’m still confident.”
Cliff Vickers, an alternate delegate from Tennessee, flew in from Tri-City Airport on Sunday morning to attend his first Republican National Convention.
“I’m not nervous at all,” Vickers said as he walked through the terminal wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat.
Schimming: Trump to arrive in Milwaukee ‘soon’
Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Brian Simming said it remains to be seen whether there will be any changes at the Republican National Committee in the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
“We’re pretty confident about where we are right now,” Schimming told WISN-TV. “Some people will come back today to watch again just to be sure, but we’re pretty confident it’s going to be a great tournament.”
Siming said he had not yet heard anything about changes to the tournament program.
“I know the president will be here, so we look forward to having him here in Milwaukee and at the Republican National Convention. I don’t think we’re going to be in a position where anything major is going to change,” Schimming said. “I haven’t heard anything about anything changing, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it did.”
Asked when Trump would arrive in Milwaukee, Schimming said, “Soon.”
-Mary Spicuzza and Alison Diehl
Long lines at Fiserv
On Sunday, there was only one entrance to the Fiserv Forum, and members of the press, volunteers and other Republican National Committee members were trying to get in on time.
Some reporters from national media grew frustrated as the line stretched for blocks past Madars, where at least 100 people were waiting.
“We have a (live) appearance scheduled in 20 minutes,” one television reporter told a Republican National Committee staffer.
Some asked how they could speed up the line, and some questioned whether the line was even moving.
One of the tournament staff managing the procession described the situation as a “catastrophe.”
RNC staff are deploying computers to scan credentials more quickly.
— Kelly Meyerhofer
Will the Republican National Convention have a welcoming party in Milwaukee on Sunday?
A spokesman for the Republican National Convention host committee told the Journal Sentinel that there are “no changes at this time” to the committee’s convention welcome party scheduled for Sunday at Summerfest at Henry Meyer Festival Park.
— Mary Spicuzza and Alison Diehl
Wisconsin Republican Party chairman doesn’t expect ‘massive’ changes to convention
A representative for the Milwaukee Republican Party said Sunday that officials may make some changes to this week’s convention schedule, but nothing major.
“I don’t see any circumstances that would make any big changes,” Brian Schimming, chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party, told WISN-TV in Milwaukee.
One question is when Trump will arrive in Milwaukee and what he will do there, but that “has not been determined yet,” he said.
— David Jackson, USA Today
President Trump will attend the Republican National Convention as scheduled
Trump was shot while addressing supporters at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday night and was rushed off the stage.
Trump left the stage with blood running from his ear and cheek. The Secret Service said in a statement that a suspect had fired multiple shots at the stage but was “neutralized” by Secret Services.
In a joint statement released by the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee on Saturday night after the shooting, Trump said he “looks forward to joining you in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate you as the 47th President of the United States.”
In a post on Truth Social early Sunday morning, Trump said, “I love our country with all my heart and I love you all. I look forward to speaking to our great nation from Wisconsin this week.”
more:Will the RNC be canceled? Trump assassination attempt and what we know and don’t know about the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee
Coalition for the 2024 Republican National Convention will continue as scheduled on Monday
For months, the March on the 2024 Republican National Convention Coalition has been planning peaceful protests against the Republican National Convention, and the shooting at a Trump rally is unlikely to change the group’s plans.
“The March on the Republican National Convention Coalition reaffirms our commitment to a family-friendly march along the route agreed upon with the city,” the coalition said in a statement. “From the very beginning, we have been clear on two things: we oppose the racist and reactionary policies of the Republican Party, and we are a broad coalition planning a family-friendly march. We are united in our opposition to the Republican Party’s policies as a whole, not just any candidate or politician.”
When does the RNC start? When is the Republican National Convention?
The RNC begins on Monday, July 15th.
How many days will the RNC last? When is the RNC convention?
The tournament will take place over four days, from Monday 15th July to Thursday 18th July.
What is the schedule for the RNC 2024 Convention?
Here is the master schedule of events for the Republican National Convention:
The event will be closed to anyone other than delegates, politicians, media personnel and volunteers.
The event will kick off Sunday evening with an invitation-only “Red, White and Brew” welcome party at Henry Meyer Festival Park.
Throughout the week, guests can attend formal sessions on the convention grounds, affinity group receptions, lectures and presentations, and film screenings.
Many events require tickets or registration, be sure to check the Master Calendar for registration instructions.
Official convention viewing parties will be held each day at Drink Wisconsinbly Pub (320 W. Highland Ave.), across from Fiserv Forum.
Claire Reid
Where is the RNC Convention being held?
Fiserv Forum, home of the Milwaukee Bucks, is the main venue for the Republican National Convention. It’s also where the first Republican debate took place in August. Thousands of delegates will gather here to hear the big speeches.
The nearby University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Panther Arena and Baird Center will also be used as event venues.
Please see below for details of each venue.
Hope Curnop
What is the agenda or platform for the Republican National Convention?
On Monday, the party approved a new platform that solidifies Trump’s grip on the party.
The platform, released after Republican National Committee leaders met closed-door at the Baird Center in Milwaukee, promotes nationalism, is less socially conservative on abortion rights issues and pushes new voting restrictions at a time when the Republican Party is pushing conflicting messages to its members.
The way the platform was written and approved angered some committee members focused on pursuing a more aggressive policy on abortion access, who told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that debate was more toned down than in previous drafts of the platform.
Learn more about Republican policies
— Molly Beck and Mary Spicuzza
Can I get tickets to the Republican National Convention?
You cannot attend the Republican National Convention unless you are a delegate, politician, media member, or volunteer. These attendees already have access to the convention site.
This means that the general public cannot purchase tickets to enter the tournament.
However, there will be other RNC-related events open to the public, and there will be many ways to watch the RNC. Multiple platforms will be streaming the convention, including the Journal Sentinel. Fox News Media will also be covering it on all platforms.
Hope Curnop
When is the march to the RNC?
The Coalition for the 2024 Republican National Convention is planning a protest on Monday.
Omar Flores, co-chairman of the coalition, said the group plans to meet at Red Arrow Park at 10 a.m. Flores said there will be a rally at 11 a.m. and the march will begin at noon.
On Friday, protest organizers announced a slight change to the route of Monday’s march, reporting that they had reached a “handshake agreement” with the Milwaukee Police Department and the City Attorney’s Office to chart a route that deviated entirely from the city-sanctioned march route.
— Lori Linnen
When is the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC)?
The Democratic National Convention will be held from August 19th to 22nd in Chicago, less than 100 miles south of the Republican National Convention.
