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, 6:31 PM EDT

Gov. Lee: 'We need strong leadership in the White House'

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, the president of the National Governors Association, touched on Republican talking points -- from inflation to the border to parental rights -- while speaking on behalf of Republican governors.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee speaks during the second day of the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wis., July 16, 2024.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

"In the storm stirred by Washington, Republican governors across this country have stood as anchors of courage, their states as harbors of hope and their people as models of freedom," he said. "Governors can only do so much. We need strong leadership in the White House. We know what that looks like. We had it before, we need it again."

He said Republican governors are "joining together, unifying in support for Donald Trump for president."

Jul 16, 2024, 6:21 PM EDT

Vance and Harris spoke this afternoon: Sources

J.D. Vance spoke with Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday afternoon, multiple sources familiar with the conversation told ABC News.

It was their first conversation since Vance was announced as Trump's running mate.

The conversation was "brief and respectful," according to a source with knowledge of the call.

Vance and Harris said they are looking forward to debating each other, the sources said, but no specifics were discussed.

-ABC News' Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, Hannah Demissie and Rachel Scott

Jul 16, 2024, 6:08 PM EDT

RNC kicks off 2nd night, themed 'Make America Safe Once Again'

The Republican National Convention's second night has begun, and the theme is "Make America Safe Again."

Several speakers -- including former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis -- are expected to take the stage.

Attendees arrive on the second day of the Republican National Convention, July 16, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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.

Sponsored Content by Taboola