RNC Day 3: Foreign policy focus and JD Vance speaks

MILWAUKEE — The Republican National Convention’s third day will focus on foreign policy for its “Make America Strong Once Again” theme, featuring speeches from Gold Star family members as

well as former President Donald Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance.

“I don’t want to give anything away,” Vance (R-Ohio) quipped at a news conference Wednesday ahead of the evening session being gaveled in. 

The GOP vice presidential nominee revealed that he “joked” with Trump, 78, about the possibility that he has trouble with his remarks tonight.

“I don’t plan to screw it up, but if I do, it’s too late. He made the pick. It’s official now,” Vance said. 

The “Hillbilly Elegy” author explained that he hopes to “fire up the crowd” with his speech, which will “make the case that we’ve got to re-elect President Donald J. Trump to the White

House.”

Speeches at the Fiserv Forum are expected to commence at 6 p.m. CT, and touch on the Biden administration’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, the crisis on the US-Mexico border and the

president’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war. 

Reps. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), Nancy Mace (R-SC), Ronny Jackson and Matt Gaetz will kick off the proceedings in the first half-hour block, with former Acting Director of National Intelligence

Ric Grenell and former Amb. Callista Gingrich also delivering remarks. 

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Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas), and former Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Thomas Homan are slated to speak between 6:30

pm and 7:00 pm. As is former Trump White House official Peter Navarro, who is fresh out of federal prison after serving a four-month sentence for flouting a congressional subpoena. 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, East Palestine, Ohio Mayor Trent Conaway and former White House aide Kellyanne Conway will take the stage between 7:00 pm and 7:30 pm, and will be joined by North

Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who was informed by Trump on Monday that he was not going to be his running mate pick. 

Former first son Donald Trump Jr., and his fiancée, Kimberly Guilfoyle will also address convention attendees. 

Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) and Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) will take the stage between 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm. 

The RNC’s schedule includes a slate of “everyday American” speakers, including retired Staff Sergeant David Bellavia, who is a Medal of Honor recipient; Scott Neil, a veteran and bourbon

entrepreneur; Shabbos Kestenbaum, a Harvard University grad who sued the school over its response to antisemitism on campus; and World War II Army veteran Sgt. William Pekrul. 

Christy Shamblin, Cherly Juels, and Herman and Alicia Lopez – family members of US servicemembers killed in the  Kabul airport suicide bombing during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan – are

also scheduled to speak. 

Usha Chilukuri Vance, the wife of Trump’s running mate pick, will introduce her husband at around 9:30 pm. 

The 39-year-old senator will be the final speaker of the evening and he’s expected to speak until around 10 pm.

Vance said he was “pissed” after Saturday’s Trump rally shooting but impressed that the former president called for “national unity” and “calm” in the aftermath. 

“Donald Trump got shot and toned down the temperature,” Vance said.