DNC 2024 Day 1 live updates: Emotional Joe Biden casts election as choice to 'save democracy'
"I hope you know how grateful I am to all of you," Biden said.
Democrats kicked off their convention Monday with a who's who of guests who all touted Vice President Kamala Harris' run for the White House.
Several topics came up during the night including the future of reproductive rights and Project 2025.
Harris made a surprise appearance after several Democratic VIPS took the stage, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The main stars of the night were some of the Democrats' longstanding figures including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
But the main spotlight came as President Joe Biden spoke to the cheering crowd, reflecting on his four years as president and his decision to "pass the torch" to Harris.
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Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett tears up talking about Harris
Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett teared up while recalling her first meeting with Harris after getting elected to Congress.
Crockett said she wasn't sure she made the right decision running for office, referring to the "Chaos Caucus," when she met Harris for an official photo.
"As I approached Vice President Harris for our official photo, she turned to me and asked, 'What's wrong?' Mind you, we'd never met, but she saw right through me," Crocket said. "She saw the distress. I immediately began crying."
Crockett paused to wipe her tears, saying "It's so hard for me to tell this story," before continuing.
"She then said, among other things, 'You are exactly where God wants you. Your district chose you because they believe in you. And so do I,'" Crockett said.
Crockett said that moment gave her her "legislative legs, and I've been running ever since."
Rep. Jamie Raskin notes horrors of Jan. 6
Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, who was a member of the House's Jan. 6 committee, warned about the "banana Republicans who have converted Lincoln's party into a dangerous cult of personality."
Raskin recalled the violence and destruction caused that day by Trump's supporters and the former president's push of election falsehoods.
"All of this after Trump was defeated by more than 7 million votes by the great Joe Biden," he said.
Raskin also took note that the rioters chanted to hang former Vice President Mike Pence, who he noted is not supporting Trump this election.
"By the way, JD Vance, do you understand why there was a sudden job opening for running mate on the GOP ticket?" he said. "They tried to kill him because he would not follow Trump's plan to destroy and nullify the votes of millions of Americans."
Raskin also pointed out Trump's comments about possibly pardoning the insurrectionists and pushed Americans to support Harris.
"Let's make it a landslide so big that Donald Trump and his kangaroo court, Supreme Court justices, cannot even try to steal it," he said.
'Law & Order' spoof video on Trump draws laughs
Attendees burst into laughter as the DNC started playing a video spooking the hit show "Law & Order," starting with the familiar narration, "in the criminal justice system," before delving into details of Trump's 34 felony convictions.
The video was largely comedic -- but also signaled an eagerness by Democrats to go on offense.
"I'm just glad we're fighting back. I'm so tired of taking the high road," one attendee said as the video played.
Clyburn calls Project 2025 'Jim Crow 2.0'
South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn called Project 2025 "Jim Crow 2.0" during his remarks while drawing a comparison between Trump and Harris.
"While Trump falsely pleads ignorance of Project 2025, which in my opinion is Jim Crow 2.0, Kamala has been offering the American people enlightened proposals and visionary leadership," he said.
The DNC earlier took aim at the conservative policy blueprint, which has become a flashpoint in the 2024 election, in a video that aired earlier in the night and remarks by Mallory McMorrow, a Michigan state senator.