RNC 2024 Day 2 updates: Trump rivals take center stage along with divine intervention

The theme of Tuesday's session is "Make America Safe Again."

ByMeredith Deliso, Ivan Pereira, Tal Axelrod, Chris Boccia, and Alexandra Hutzler
Last Updated: July 16, 2024, 11:35 PM EDT

The second day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee ended Tuesday with appearances from some of former President Donald Trump's former rivals: former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy -- all calling for Republican Party unity.

They were joined by some of Trump's longest allies including Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Ben Carson in bashing the Democrats over what they claimed were harmful and failed policies.

The program focused on law and order with a theme of making the country "safe again."

Trump, with a bandage on his ear, made an appearance again Tuesday evening -- just days after he was wounded in an assassination attempt at one of his rallies in Pennsylvania over the weekend. Several speakers touched on that God spared Trump in the shooting, saving him for a divine plan for the presidency.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing:
Jul 16, 2024, 4:25 PM EDT

Asa Hutchinson walks back comments about not voting for convicted felon

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson was one of the major Republicans who voiced his disapproval of Trump after he was convicted in a Manhattan criminal court, stating he wouldn't vote for a convicted felon.

However, when ABC News' Jay O’Brien broached the subject Tuesday the the convention, the former governor seemed to have different sentiments.

"Well, you know that I've made some commitments about not voting for a convicted felon, but that seems like a long time ago," Hutchinson said.

Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson gives his thoughts on former President Donald Trump and where his vote lies at present.
3:26
Gov. Asa Hutchinson comments on his views at the Republican National ConventionRepublican Gov. Asa Hutchinson gives his thoughts on former President Donald Trump and where his vote lies at present.
ABCNews.com

O’Brien continued to press Hutchinson.

“So you could move away from that commitment?" he asked the former governor.

"Let's see how it develops in the future," Hutchinson responded.

Jul 16, 2024, 3:44 PM EDT

Vance walks RNC floor with Don Jr.

Republican vice-presidential candidate, Sen. J.D. Vance speaks to Donald Trump Jr. during preparations for the second day of the Republican National Convention, July 16, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Morry Gash/AP

JD Vance returned to the RNC convention Tuesday afternoon and walked the floor.

He was accompanied by Donald Trump Jr., but did not answer shouted questions from the press.

Republican vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance and Donald Trump Jr. take part in a sound check on the second day of the 2024 Republican National Convention, in Milwaukee, July 16, 2024.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

-ABC News' Hannah Demissie

Republican vice-presidential candidate, Sen. J.D. Vance speaks to Donald Trump Jr. during preparations for the second day of the Republican National Convention, July 16, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
Jul 16, 2024, 3:03 PM EDT

Trump meets with Boris Johnson

Trump posted an image on his social media platform on Tuesday posing with former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

"Nice meeting with Former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, a very fine guy!" Trump posted.

Former President Donald Trump meets with Former British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson in Milwaukee, July 16, 2024.
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social

It's not clear if Johnson will be attending RNC events on Tuesday.

Jul 16, 2024, 2:42 PM EDT

Trump senior adviser doubles down on Trump's support for Second Amendment

Former President Donald Trump campaign's senior adviser Chris LaCivita spoke at a panel hosted by pro-Second Amendment group USCCA on Tuesday morning updating the crowd about Trump's recovery and message of unity.

LaCivita said both Trump and himself are supporters of the Second Amendment and reiterated the former president's messaging has always been to allow law-abiding citizens the ability to carry firearms to protect themselves and their families.

"It's also really important in this election, because Biden has made it clear he wants to ban them," LaCivita said. "There are so many things that you can do to curb the problem of individuals as opposed to trying to ban what is clearly… a right."

-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh, Lalee Ibssa and Soorin Kim

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