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Election 2020: SCOTUS rejects attempt to block extended ballot deadline

This was the Pa. GOP's second attempt to block the extension for mail-in ballots

Last Updated: October 29, 2020, 10:35 AM EDT

With six days until Election Day, and President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden racing toward Nov. 3, more than 71 million Americans have voted early so far -- a record.

The president continues an aggressive, defensive campaign as polls show him trailing nationally and in several battleground states key to his reelection hopes. He has back-to-back rallies in Arizona Wednesday.

Sen. Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, is also in Arizona making stops in Tucson and Phoenix. Biden will deliver remarks on his plan to beat COVID-19 from Wilmington, Delaware.

Vice President Mike Pence, meanwhile, has campaign rallies in the battleground states of Wisconsin and Michigan.

Oct 28, 2020, 3:35 PM EDT

Trump, Biden condemn violence in Philadelphia

At an event with truckers in Las Vegas, Trump was asked about the unrest in Philadelphia following the death of Walter Wallace Jr., a Black man, at the hands of police. After condemning riots in what he called the "Democrat run" state, he said the federal government is looking into the fatal shooting.

"It's a terrible thing," Trump said. "What I'm witnessing is terrible, and, frankly, that the mayor or whoever it is, that's allowing people to riot and loot and not stop them is also just a horrible thing."

President Donald Trump talks to the media at Trump International Hotel Las Vegas, Oct. 28, 2020.
Evan Vucci/AP

"We're looking at the shooting and if asked to go in and help, we will do that," Trump said, urging Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, a Democrat, to call in the National Guard -- which the state has already done. 

Looking to the election, Trump also said that "hopefully" the courts will stop ballots from being counted past Nov. 3 -- but experts say to expect record amount of mail-in voting, election night could be more like election week.

Biden, asked earlier about the ongoing situation in Philadelphia, gave a general answer to the ongoing clashes between police officers and protesters as he tries to walk a fine line of supporting both Black Lives Matter protesters and law enforcement.

“There is no excuse whatsoever for the looting and the violence. None whatsoever. I think to be able to protest is totally legitimate, totally reasonable," Biden said, going on to pitch his idea of a national commission on policing. "But there's no excuse for the looting."

Oct 28, 2020, 2:22 PM EDT

Trump campaign blames Omaha post-rally scene, which Biden slammed, on 'local road closures'

The former vice president slammed Trump for the botched scene after his rally in Omaha, Nebraska, Tuesday night, saying the president "gets his photo op then he gets out" leaving "everyone else to suffer the consequences of his failure to make a responsible plan."

Hundreds of Trump supporters were stranded for hours in near-freezing weather following Trump's Tuesday rally, waiting for buses to return them from Eppley Airfield hanger to their cars, resulting in some requiring medical attention and being taken to the hospital.

Forty buses had hauled approximately 25,000 people from parking lots to the airport hanger throughout the day, according to officials. When the rally finished around 9 p.m., people flooded out of the venue to be transported by the Trump campaign in charter buses back to their cars 2.5 miles away, but many ended up walking back or waiting hours in 30-degree weather well into the night hours after Trump had left the state.

President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally, Oct. 27, 2020, in Omaha, Neb.
Steve Pope/Getty Images

The mismanaged post-rally scene by the campaign resulted in attendees, including some elderly, requiring medical attention on-site and at least seven being transported to the hospital, according to the Omaha Scanner, a local police tracker that monitors official radio traffic. A preliminary report from the Omaha Police Department also confirmed that number.

Since many attendees chose to walk back to their cars instead of waiting for buses, foot traffic slowed bus trips "considerably," according to officials who attempted to clear the congestion. Police said the last person was loaded into a bus from the rally site around 11:50 p.m. and traffic returned to normal at about 12:30 a.m.

People cheer as President Donald Trump arrives on a cold night for a "Make America Great Again" rally at Eppley Airfield on Oct. 27, 2020, in Omaha, Nebraska.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

The Trump campaign blamed the delay on "local road closures" in a statement to ABC News.

"Because of the sheer size of the crowd, we deployed 40 shuttle buses instead of the normal 15, but local road closures and resulting congestion caused delays. We always strive to provide the best guest experience at our events and we care about their safety," said Trump campaign spokesperson Samantha Zager.

-ABC News’ Will Steakin and Terrance Smith

Oct 28, 2020, 2:16 PM EDT

Obama to join Biden on the trail for the first time in Michigan Saturday

When Biden heads to Michigan Saturday, he will also reunite with former President Barack Obama -- the first time the pair will appear together in the 2020 race.

President Barack Obama speaks with Vice President Joe Biden at his side as he delivers a statement from the East Room of the White House, July 14, 2015.
Pool New/Reuters, FILE

“On Saturday, October 31, President Obama will join Joe Biden in Michigan to discuss bringing Americans together to address the crises facing the country and win the battle for the soul of the nation,” the Biden campaign advised.

Obama has held three solo appearances over the past week campaigning for his former vice president in the battleground states of Florida and Pennsylvania, excoriating Trump's leadership and praising Biden's preparedness in his remarks.

-ABC News’ Molly Nagle

Oct 28, 2020, 2:23 PM EDT

Biden early votes in Wilmington, expands on health care plan

Biden early votes in Wilmington, expands on health care plan

The former vice president and former second lady Jill Biden early voted in Wilmington, Delaware, this afternoon, and sported masks and “I Voted” stickers when walking out of their polling location. 

Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill wave as they depart after casting their votes in Wilmington, Del., Oct. 28, 2020.
Brian Snyder/Reuters

On the heels of his remarks on health care, Biden was asked by reporters what he’s learned from the Affordable Care Act when prepping his own health care bill to be ready to send to Congress if elected president. Biden said he has a bill ready and and would work with Republicans.

“And yes, I do have a proposal that relates to how we can improve the Affordable Care Act, beyond what before was before, which Barack and I wanted to do at the time to add a public option, allowing people to keep their private insurance if that's what they choose that they want to do, making it more affordable to get a better plan,” Biden said, adding he believes he can get Republican support for his plan. 

Pressed on why he believes he could gain bipartisan support for the effort, Biden said public support for the bill would push Republicans over the line and earn their votes. 

Announcing earlier in remarks that he would be voting today, Biden reminded Americans there are candidates and issues down the ballot that deserve voters’ attention, beyond the presidential race. 

“There's a lot of people on that ballot -- not just me but the down ballot as well -- that are going to change things for us, make it better,” Biden said. 
 
-ABC News’ Molly Nagle and and Beatrice Peterson

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