Tuesday morning news - August 25, 2020

Republicans renominate Trump on day one of convention » Republicans officially renominated President Trump on day-one of the party’s national convention Monday.  

AUDIO: Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming the president of the United States of America and our nominee, Donald J. Trump! 

The president made a surprise appearance on the very first day of the convention after the morning roll call. And he addressed a live audience in Charlotte—not the thousands of faces he’d hoped to see, but more than 300 socially distanced delegates cheered him on. 

CROWD: Four more years! Four more years! 

In his remarks, Trump again blasted expanded mail-in balloting in some states and he noted that the economy was booming before the pandemic. 

TRUMP: The best way to bring unity is success. Success brings unity. And we were there, and then we got hit with the plague, but we won’t forget that. 

Among the virtual speakers on Monday were Donald Trump Jr, former NFL star Herschel Walker, and former Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley.  

Senator Tim Scott, who was originally expected to kick off the Monday night slate, instead closed out the evening by video from Washington. Scott said President Trump built what he called “the most inclusive economy ever.”

SCOTT: 7 million jobs created pre-COVID-19, and two-thirds of them went to women, African Americans and Hispanics. 

He also took aim at Trump’s opponent. Scott warned that a Biden White House would pursue socialist “cultural revolution” doomed to fail.  

Tonight’s speakers include Senator Rand Paul, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and first lady Melania Trump.

Conway leaving White House » Kellyanne Conway, one of President Trump’s most influential advisers, has announced that she’s leaving the White House at the end of the month. WORLD’s Kristen Flavin reports. 

KRISTEN FLAVIN, REPORTER: Conway served as the president’s campaign manager during the stretch run of the 2016 race—making her the first woman to successfully steer a White House bid. She then became a senior counselor to the president. 

In her resignation letter, Conway said she’s stepping aside to spend more time with her four children. Her husband, George, had become an outspoken Trump critic and her family a subject of Washington’s rumor mill.

Kellyanne Conway wrote “We disagree about plenty but we are united on what matters most: the kids.” She added “for now, and for my beloved children, it will be less drama, more mama.”

She is still slated to speak at the Republican National Convention this week. 

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Kristen Flavin. 

Postmaster general: Mail delays not political » Postmaster General Louis DeJoy told lawmakers Monday that recent cutbacks at the Postal Service were not politically motivated or in any way linked to November elections.

DEJOY: I did not direct the removal of blue collection boxes or the removal of mail processing equipment. Second, I did not direct the cutback of hours at any of our post offices.  And finally, I did not direct the elimination or any cutback on overtime. 

But DeJoy said he did step in to suspend those measures to—quote—“remove any misperceptions about our commitment to delivering the nation’s election mail.”

He was testifying for a second day on Capitol Hill, facing tense questions from lawmakers about recent mail delivery delays. 

DeJoy said the president’s repeated attacks on mail-in ballots are “not helpful.” 

And he called election mail his “No. 1 priority.” He said he will authorize expanded employee overtime, extra truck trips, and other measures to deliver ballots on time. 

DeJoy urged voters to request mail-in ballots at least 15 days before the Nov. 3 election so they have enough time to receive their ballot and mail it back in on time. 

Black man in serious condition after police shooting » A 29-year-old black man remains in serious condition after a police officer shot him on Sunday. 

Officers were responding to a “domestic incident” in Kenosha, Wisconsin, about an hour south of Milwaukee. 

Video appears to show Jacob Blake walking away from officers, ignoring their commands. One officer followed him with his gun drawn. Blake walked around his car and opened the driver’s side door. He leaned inside and looked as though he might have been reaching for something as an officer tried to pull him back by his shirt. 

A split-second later, one officer fired seven shots, striking Brooks in the back. 

AUDIO: [Sound of shooting]

Hundreds of protesters later marched to the police station, where they faced off with officers in riot gear. Rioters later looted businesses and set numerous cars and buildings on fire. 

Wisconsin’s Democratic Gov. Tony Evers acknowledged in a tweet he didn’t have all the details. But he condemned the shooting and said he stands by those demanding justice.

(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway speaks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. 

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