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."

Last Updated: July 16, 2024, 11:08 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:
10 hours and 16 minutes ago

Rubio urges fighting 'with our voices and our votes'

The senior U.S. senator from Florida spoke on the second day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
The senior U.S. senator from Florida spoke on the second day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

In a message of party unity, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio called on Republicans to fight "with our voices and our votes."

"Our country has been injured by bad decisions and weak leaders," he said. "But now, though bloodied by our wounds, we must stand up and we must fight. Fight not with violence or destruction, but with our voices and our votes."

Sen. Marco Rubio speaks during the second day of the 2024 Republican National Convention, in Milwaukee, July 16, 2024.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Rubio tried to counter against more extremist portrayals of the party, saying what Trump supporters want is "not extreme," but things like lower prices, secure borders and security.

"And they want for our leaders to care more about our problems here at home than about the problems of other countries far away. There is absolutely nothing dangerous, or anything divisive about putting Americans first," he said, as the crowd broke out into a chant of "USA! USA! USA!"

10 hours and 21 minutes ago

'First they tried to ruin his reputation ... then last weekend they tried to kill him': Ben Carson

Dr. Ben Carson, Trump's Housing and Urban Development secretary and former 2016 presidential rival, took the stage and argued that last week's assassination attempt was part of a long line of attacks against the former president.

"First, they tried to ruin his reputation, and he's more popular now than ever. And then they tried to bankrupt him, and he's got more money now than he had before. And then they tried to put him in prison, and he's freer and has made other people free with him. And then -- and then, last weekend they tried to kill him. And there he is over there, alive and well," Carson said to applause.

Carson did not specify who "they" were.

He went on to criticize the media and the government for dividing the nation contending the latter was "shredding our constitution and upending the rule of law.

Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Dr. Ben Carson speaks on stage on the second day of the Republican National Convention, July 16, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
10 hours and 27 minutes ago

'Corey, Corey, Corey' chant breaks out

During Florida Sen. Marco Rubio's remarks, the crowd chanted in honor of Corey Comperatore, the man killed during the assassination attempt on Trump during Saturday's rally.

"He was described as the best dad a girl could ever ask for," Rubio said. "He was a man of God who loved Jesus fiercely. He looked after members of his church. Corey was one of the millions of everyday Americans who make our country great."

Rubio continued, "He wasn't rich. He wasn't famous. And the only reason why we know his name and story now is because last Saturday, he shielded his wife and daughter from an assassin's bullet and lost his life the way he lived it, a hero."

The crowd then broke out into a chant of "Corey, Corey, Corey!"

10 hours and 29 minutes ago

GOP putting Harris front and center

Over and over again, the speakers on Tuesday night are taking jabs at Vice President Kamala Harris, going after her on immigration and arguing that a vote for President Joe Biden is a vote for Harris.

To be clear, Harris was tasked with addressing the root causes of immigration, not securing the border, but the spotlight on Harris is notable, especially given all the questions and concerns about Biden’s age.

But the argument that Harris is a drag on the ticket may be losing steam -- we have seen in recent days several polls showing Harris doing slightly better than Biden in a head-to-head matchup with Trump.

Of course, even Biden said Tuesday bluntly that Harris could be president, and he has argued a good one at that.

-ABC News' Mary Bruce