RNC 2020 Day 3: Mike Pence touts Trump's coronavirus response; paints Biden as beholden to 'radical left'

President Trump joined Vice President Pence at Fort McHenry after his speech.

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August 27, 2020, 1:37 AM ET

78 min read

The Republican National Convention continued Wednesday under the theme "America, Land of Heroes" with Vice President Mike Pence closing out the evening from Fort McHenry in Baltimore, the site of a battle during the War of 1812 that inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner."

MORE: GOP convention ignores inconvenient realities amid unrest and unease: ANALYSIS

Though Republicans promised an optimistic convention that would be a sharp departure from the "doom and gloom" virtual gathering they said Democrats put on last week, the RNC has so far sprinkled in apocalyptic language to cast the country as a place on the brink of violence and corruption in its pitch to Americans to reelect the man currently in charge.

MORE: 5 key takeaways from night 3 of the Republican National Convention

ABC News Live will kick off primetime coverage each day at 7 p.m. ET on the network's streaming news channel and primetime coverage will air from 10-11 p.m. ET each night of the convention on the ABC Television Network.

Here are highlights from the third night of the RNC:

1:37 a.m. GOP convention ignores inconvenient realities amid unrest and unease: ANALYSIS

For a divided nation tuning in to the Republican National Convention on Wednesday, the contrasts with events outside the broadcast could hardly have been more striking.

Despite COVID-19 warnings and regulations, speakers and spectators did not wear masks, and most barely mentioned the toll of the pandemic at all. With Hurricane Laura just hours from landfall off the Gulf Coast, most of the speeches came from an empty and ornate room in downtown Washington and were taped in advance -- calm, perhaps, amid a storm.

On a night that pro sports stood still, with Black athletes speaking up by sitting out, the reasons for their protest went unmentioned.

The convention culminated in a choreographed performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by country music artist Trace Adkins. Everyone at Fort McHenry in Baltimore stood -- including a group of disabled veterans who used special equipment to do so.

The speeches and the setting offered scenes from a different America than the one most people have been living in, throughout a summer of racial tensions, economic uncertainty and a continuing pandemic.

Throughout the night, video presentations and speeches evoked images of toppled statues, smashed windows and burning flags. Pence previewed the multi-pronged attacks the campaign is planning against Biden, including an attack on Biden's suggestion that there is "systemic racism" in the United States.

Pence and the other featured speakers depicted Trump as they know him and as pro-Trump conservatives prefer to view him -- a rule-busting outsider who strives for results.

It was a night where the party defined itself the way it wants to be viewed, inside a convention designed to convey such messages. But reality shows don't necessarily match up to realities.

More from ABC News Political Director Rick Klein's analysis:

MORE: GOP convention ignores inconvenient realities amid unrest and unease: ANALYSIS

1:16 a.m. 5 key takeaways from night 3 of the Republican National Convention

A confluence of external forces pulled attention away from the Republican National Convention on night three. Still, Republicans remained trained on delivering their counter message to Democrats -- focusing heavily on freedom, the military, law enforcement and the need for "law and order."

The theme of the third night of the RNC, "America: Land of Heroes," was realized throughout a night marked by salutes to U.S. military members and veterans, which culminated with Vice President Mike Pence at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, accepting the vice presidential nomination for the second time.

While the speakers heaped praise on the president throughout the night, unlike the first two nights, Trump himself didn't make an appearance in the programming until it was over, joining Pence on stage with the first and second ladies, as well as Medal of Honor recipients, veterans and front line workers for a rendition of the national anthem by country singer Trace Adkins.

Here are the key takeaways from the third night of the RNC:

MORE: 5 key takeaways from night 3 of the Republican National Convention

-- ABC News' Quinn Scanlan and Kendall Karson

1 a.m. Pence calls Biden a 'Trojan horse for a radical left' as he touts Trump's accomplishments

Vice President Mike Pence closed out the third night of the Republican National Convention with a speech that labeled his predecessor Joe Biden as "a Trojan horse for a radical left," as he made his case for re-electing President Donald Trump.

Pence was the first speaker of the week to acknowledge the civil unrest taking place in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where Jacob Blake was shot in the back by officers in an incident caught on cellphone video. A teenager was also arrested Wednesday and charged with first-degree homicide in connection with the fatal shooting of two protesters Tuesday night.

Pence, who did not mention Blake, Brianna Taylor, George Floyd or the other Black Americans' names whose deaths this year have sparked protests, referenced the demonstrations in Kenosha, Minneapolis and Portland for his case on the president's "law and order" mandate.

"Too many heroes have died defending our freedoms to see Americans strike each other down," he said.

Crime was one of the areas where Pence attacked Biden during the speech. The vice president claimed Biden would enact "far left ideas" and cited Sen. Bernie Sanders' endorsement.

Pence also took shots at Biden's remarks that "no miracle was coming" to save the American people from the virus.

"Well, what Joe doesn't seem to understand is that America is a nation of miracles," Pence said to the crowd of people at Fort McHenry, which had many maskless people.

Read the vice president's full speech:

MORE: RNC 2020: Pence calls Biden a 'Trojan horse for a radical left' as he touts Trump's accomplishments

12:37 a.m. Signage switcheroo

If you've been watching closely, you may have noticed that the podium signage inside the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington has differed among speakers this week -- some are standing with a "Trump Pence" sign, while others are standing with a "TRUMP 2020" one.

There doesn't appear to be any obvious significance regarding the varying signage.

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump and others, spoke in front of a sign reading "Trump Pence."

And though counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway and White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany spoke behind that same sign Wednesday, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Sen. Marsha Blackburn and others who also spoke Wednesday stood behind a "TRUMP 2020 THE GOP CONVENTION" signs.

-- ABC News' Alisa Wiersema

11:59 p.m. Madison Cawthorn's RNC speech called out for American history inaccuracy

Madison Cawthorn, a 25-year-old in a potentially historic bid for Congress, spoke during the third night of the Republican National Convention in a speech that has drawn attention for an American history inaccuracy.

"If you don’t think young people can change the world, then you just don’t know American history," Cawthorn said Wednesday night, going on to note accomplishments of presidents George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and his "personal favorite," James Madison, while in their early 20s.

In his speech, Cawthorn said that at 25, Madison signed the Declaration of Independence. Except, he did not. The statement prompted the Lincoln Project to quickly set the record straight, tweeting, "James Madison never signed the Declaration of Independence."

Cawthorn has not yet publicly addressed the flub. A press release with his remarks sent by his campaign after his speech took the line out, replacing it with, "Thomas Jefferson was 33 when he wrote the Declaration of Independence."

-- ABC News' Meredith Deliso

11:19 p.m. President, first lady join Pences following vice president's remarks

At the conclusion of Pence's remarks President Trump and first lady Melania Trump joined the vice president on the stage.

Country singer Trace Adkins was introduced and he sang the national anthem.

The Trumps and Pences then stepped down from the stage to talk with the spectators.

11:14 p.m. Pence addresses the coronavirus

In addressing the coronavirus pandemic, the vice president talked about the achievements of the administration and then honored health workers and teachers.

"In our first three years, we built the greatest economy in the world. We made America great again," he said. "And then the coronavirus struck from China."

He listed the administration's actions in response to the pandemic.

"After all the sacrifice in this year like no other -- all the hardship -- we are finding our way forward again," he said. "But tonight, our hearts are with all the families who have lost loved ones. We mourn with those who mourn, and we grieve with those who grieve. And this night I know millions of Americans will pause and pray for God’s comfort to each of you."

He continued, "In the days ahead, as we open up America again and open up America’s schools, I promise you we’ll continue to put the health of America first.And as we work to bring this economy back, we all have a role to play and we all have a choice to make. On November 3rd, you need to ask yourself: Who do you trust to rebuild this economy? A career politician who presided over the slowest economic recovery since the Great Depression? Or a proven leader who created the greatest economy in the world. The choice is clear to bring America all the way back, we need four more years of President Donald Trump in the White House."

10:56 p.m. Pence on the Trump he sees when the cameras are off

The vice president continued his remarks talking about the Trump he sees when the cameras are off.

"Americans see President Trump in lots of different ways but there’s no doubt how President Trump sees America. He sees America for what it is -- a nation that has done more good in this world than any other, a nation that deserves far more gratitude than grievance -- and if you want a president who falls silent when our heritage is demeaned or insulted, then he’s not your man," he said. "We came by very different routes to this partnership and some people think we’re a little bit different. But I’ve learned a few things watching him deal with all we’ve been through these past four years. He does things his own way, on his own terms. Not much gets past him and when he has an opinion, he’s liable to share it. He's certainly kept things interesting, but more importantly he's kept his word."

He continued, "In a city known for talkers, President Donald Trump is a doer. Few presidents have brought more independence, energy, and determination to that office."

10:40 p.m. Pence accepts nomination at Fort McHenry

Speaking from Fort McHenry, "the site of the very battle that inspired the words of our national anthem," Vice President Mike Pence slammed the Democratic National Convention

"The heroes who held this fort took their stand for life, liberty, freedom and the American flag. Those ideals have defined our nation. Yet they were hardly ever mentioned during last week’s Democratic Convention," he said. "Instead, Democrats spent four days attacking America. Joe Biden said we were living through a “season of American darkness. But as President Trump said, 'where Joe Biden sees American darkness, we see American greatness.'"

He then directed his remarks to the people in the path of Hurricane Laura before accepting the nomination for vice president.

10:34 p.m. Grenell on foreign policy under Trump

Former acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell focused on American foreign policy and the future of foreign policy under Trump.

"The D.C. crowd think when they call Donald Trump a nationalist, they're insulting him," he said. "As if the American president isn't supposed to base foreign policy on America's national interests."

10:31 p.m. Immigrant unaware naturalization ceremony would be used at Republican National Convention

At least one of the immigrants featured in the naturalization ceremony shown Tuesday during the Republican National Convention told ABC News that they were unaware that the video was going to be used during the event.

Neimat Awadelseid told ABC News she was unaware President Donald Trump was even going to attend the event, but did know it would be at the White House. She added that she signed a release so they could use footage from the event however they wanted.

The taped naturalization was played during the second night and raised eyebrows from ethics watchdogs and Democrats over its use of an official government action, personnel and building for a political event. Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee have called for a Hatch Act Investigation into acting Secretary Chad Wolf's participation in the event.

-- ABC News' Olivia Rubin, Benjamin Siegel and Will Steakin

10:28 p.m. Speakers attack Biden on abortion

Abortion was the common thread between the remarks of Sister Dede Byrne of the community of the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and former college football coach Lou Holtz.

Byrne shared details of her career as an Army doctor before entering the religious order in 2002 and used the experience to make her position on reproductive rights abundantly clear.

"As followers of Christ, we are called to stand up for life and against the politically correct or fashionable today. We must fight against a legislative agenda that supports and even celebrates destroying life in the womb. In fact, the laws we create define how we see our humanity. And we must ask ourselves, what are we saying when we go into a womb and snuff out an insignificant, powerless, voiceless life."

She went on to make a claim about the positions of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on the issue.

"Donald Trump is the most pro-life president that this nation has ever had, defending life at all stages. His belief in the sanctity of life transcends politics. President Trump will stand up against Biden/Harris who are the most anti-life presidential ticket ever, even supporting the horrors of late-term abortion and infanticide," she said.

Holtz later pointed to the subject to explain his support of Trump, while launching another attack on Biden's faith.

"One of the important reasons he has my trust is because nobody has been a stronger advocate for the unborn than President Trump," he said. "The Biden-Harris ticket is the most radically pro-abortion campaign in history. They and other politicians are “Catholics in Name Only” and abandon innocent lives. President Trump protects those lives."

-- ABC News' Adam Kelsey

10:20 p.m. Lara Trump to her father-in-law: 'Thank you for bravely leading this country'

The president's daughter-in-law Lara Trump talked about growing up in North Carolina with her parents who were small business owners and then she described the man she's gotten to know, the man who welcomed her into his family.

"My seventh grade English teacher, Mrs. B, used to tell us, believe none of what you hear, half of what you read, and only what you're there to witness first hand. The meaning of those words never fully weighed on me until I met my husband and the Trump family," she said. "Any preconceived notion I had of this family disappeared immediately. They were warm and caring. They were hard workers. And they were down to Earth. They reminded me of my own family. They made me feel like I was home. Walking the halls of the Trump organization, I saw the same family environment."

She went on to review his achievements in office and then said:

"To my father-in-law, thank you for believing in me. Thank you for bravely leading this country and thank you for continuing to fight every day for America."

10:09 p.m. Sen. Joni Ernst: 'This election is a choice between 2 very different paths'

Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst compared the Trump administration to what it could be under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

"This election is a choice between two very different paths: Freedom, prosperity and economic growth under a Trump-Pence administration. Or the Biden-Harris path, paved by liberal coastal elites and radical environmentalists," she said.

10 p.m. Rep Elise Stefanik on impeachment

New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican on the Intelligence Committee, spoke about the impeachment of Trump.

"I was proud to lead the effort standing up for the Constitution, President Trump and most importantly, the American people. This attack was not just on the president. It was an attack on you -- your voice and your vote," she said.

9:55 p.m. Sister Dierdre Byrne on Trump's support from pro-life community

Sister Deirdre Byrne who spoke about cultural issues and moral cluster issues said, "I recently prayed while in chapel, begging God to allow me to be a voice, an instrument for human life. And now, here I am, speaking at the Republican National Convention."

"I guess you'd better be careful what you pray for," she continued.

She went on to say that "Because of his courage and conviction, President Trump has earned the support of America's pro-life community."

9:51 p.m. Madison Cawthorne stands up from wheelchair at conclusion of speech

Madison Cawthorne, a candidate running for North Carolina's 11th Congressional District, talked about overcoming adversity following a car crash that left him paralyzed.

"My first public outing in a wheelchair was to a professional baseball game. You know, before my accident I was 6'3". I stood out in a crowd. But as I wheeled through the stadium I felt invisible. At 20, I thought about giving up. However, I knew I could still make a difference," he said.

The GOP nominee would be the youngest member of Congress if elected.

"At 20, I made a choice and 2020, our country has a choice. We can give up on the American idea or we can work together to make our imperfect union more perfect. I choose to fight for the future, to seize the high ground and retake the shining city on a hall. While the radical left wants to dismantle, defund and destroy, Republicans under President Trump's leadership want to rebuild, restore and renew," he continued.

Madison Cawthorn stands up from his wheelchair, as he concludes #RNC2020 speech: "For our republic for which I stand, one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all."
The NC House GOP nominee would be the youngest member of Congress if elected. https://t.co/ZePT7JW1mc pic.twitter.com/j5iShCSMNb
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) August 27, 2020

As he continued speaking, two men joined him on stage.

"The American idea my ancestors fought for during the Revolutionary War, is just as exciting and revolutionary today as it was 250 years ago. I say to Americans who love our country, young and old, be a radical for freedom. Be a radical for liberty," he said before standing, with assistance. "And be a radical for our republic, for which I stand. One nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all."

9:42 p.m. Honoring women's suffrage movement, trio of prominent women speak

After a video on the women's suffrage movement, a trio of prominent women spoke to the convention.

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany delivered deeply personal remarks about her choice to undergo a preventative mastectomy in 2018 and the president's support both shortly after the procedure and later while working at White House, while balancing motherhood.

"During one of my most difficult times, I expected to have the support of my family, but I had more support than I knew. As I came out of anesthesia, one of the first calls I received was from Ivanka Trump. Days later, as I recovered, my phone rang. It was President Trump, calling to check on me. I was blown away. Here was the leader of the free world caring about me," she said.

She also echoed some of Trump's language about community safety and squeezed in what appeared to be a reference to the DNC Pledge of Allegiance controversy.

"When I look into my baby's eyes, I see a new life, a miracle for which I have a solemn responsibility to protect.That means protecting America's future -- a future President Trump will fight for where our neighborhoods are protected, where life is sacred, where God is cherished -- not taken out of our schools, removed from our pledge, and erased from our history. I want my daughter to grow up in President Donald Trump's America."

Next, second lady Karen Pence highlighted the work of the armed services, referencing the service of her son and son-in-law, members of the Marines and Navy, respectively, and the difficulty many veterans encounter with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Referencing the 19th Amendment's centennial, she also put out a blanket call for Americans to vote.

"One hundred years ago women secured the right to vote, so let's vote, America. Let's honor our heroes."

Afterward, Kellyanne Conway, promoted Trump's efforts to elevate women within the administration and argued that "empowerment" comes neither from social media slogans or "corporate handbooks."

"This has been a century worth celebrating, but also a reminder that our democracy is young and fragile. A woman in a leadership role still can seem novel. Not so for President Trump. For decades, he has elevated women to senior positions in business and in government. He confides in and consults us, respects our opinions, and insists that we are on equal footing with the men. President Trump helped me shatter a barrier in the world of politics by empowering me to manage his campaign to its successful conclusion."

"For many of us, "women's empowerment" is not a slogan. It comes not from strangers on social media or sanitized language in a corporate handbook. It comes from the everyday heroes who nurture us, who shape us, and who believe in us."

-- ABC News' Adam Kelsey

9:37 p.m. Kellyanne Conway on the work she's done with Trump

Counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway, who recently announced that she would be leaving her role at the White House, focused her speech on the work she's done with the president.

"A woman in a leadership role can still seem novel -- not so, for President Trump," she said. "For decades, he has elevated women to senior positions in business and in government. He confides in and consults us, respects our opinions, and insists that we are on equal footing with the men. President Trump helped me shatter a barrier in the world of politics by empowering me to manage his campaign to its successful conclusion.With the help of millions of Americans, our team defied the critics, the naysayers, the conventional wisdom and we won. For many of us, women's empowerment is not a slogan."

She continued, "I have seen firsthand many times the president comforting and encouraging a child who has lost a parent, a parent who has lost a child, a worker who lost his job, an adolescent who lost her way to drugs. 'Don't lose hope,' he has told them, assuring them that they are not alone, and that they matter. There always will be people who have far more than us. Our responsibility is to focus on those who have far less than us. President Trump has done precisely that, in taking unprecedented action to combat this nation's drug crisis."

9:28 p.m. Second lady Karen Pence on every day heroes

Second lady Karen Pence opened her remarks highlighting the adoption of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing the right of women to vote.

"The women's suffrage movement was the gateway that led to women having the opportunities to achieve monumental milestones and accomplish significant achievements in both civic and governmental roles. This evening, we look at heroes in our land. As Second Lady of the United States for the past three and a half years, I have had the honor of meeting many heroes across this great country. The Pences are a military family," she said.Our son Michael serves in the United States Marines. And our son-in-law Henry serves in the U.S. Navy. And one of my key initiatives is to elevate and encourage military spouses. These men and women like our daughter Charlotte and our daughter-in-law Sarah are the home front heroes. I have been privileged to hear so many stories of selfless support, volunteer spirit and great contributions to the armed forces and our communities."

She also described some military spouses who benefitted from programs that allowed them to find employment and start businesses and then how therapy helped veterans.

"In these difficult times, we've all seen so many examples of every day Americans reaching out a hand to those in need. Those who, in humility, have considered others more important than themselves. We've seen health care workers, teachers, first responders, mental health providers, law enforcement officers, grocery and delivery workers and farmers," she said. "And so many others. Heroes, all. 100 years ago women secured the right to vote, so let's vote, America. Let's honor our heroes. Let's re-elect President Trump and Vice President Pence for four more years."

9:15 p.m. Mother talks about how school choice helped her son

Tara Myers shared how school choice helped her son, Samuel, who has Down syndrome:

"Unlike the doctor who told me to end Samuel's life before it began, President Trump did not dismiss my son," she said.

"Tonight I would like to extend my thanks to President Trump and his administration for their work toward making every student's dream of a meaningful education a reality," she continued. "And for fighting to ensure every child in America has an equal seat at the table of education freedom and an equal opportunity in life. Thank you."

9:09 p.m. Retired general offers defense of Trump's foreign policy

Ret. Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg offered a defense of Trump's "America First" foreign policy.

He said he has "witnessed every major foreign policy and national security decision" by the president and "I saw only one agenda and one guiding question when tough calls had to be made: Is this decision right for America?"

9:04 p.m. Sen. Marsha Blackburn claims 'leftists' want to 'cancel' law enforcement, armed services heroes

Sen. Marsha Blackburn claimed that "leftists" want to "cancel" the "heroes of our law enforcement and armed services."

"I'm here to tell you these heroes can't be cancelled," she said Wednesday night.

9 p.m. Rep. Dan Crenshaw on American greatness, strength and values

Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, a veteran of the War in Afghanistan, opened his remarks at the RNC to describe a teammate who laid down cover fire against Taliban insurgents so that Crenshaw could walk to a medevac helicopter -- blinded and bloodied -- and survive. His teammate did not.

"But he didn't. Dave Orson was killed two months later. He died a hero to this great country," Crenshaw said. "Here's the truth about America: we are a country of heroes. I believe that. So should you. We are a people with a common set of ideals, conceived in liberty. People that have sacrificed, time and time again, for the freedom and freedom of others -- that's something that no country ever, anywhere can claim."

America's heroes are not limited to the battlefield, he said.

"Every single day we see them, if you just know where to look. It's the nurse who volunteers for back-to-back shifts caring for COVID patients because she feels that's her duty. It's the parent who will relearn algebra because there's no way they are letting their kids fall behind while schools are closed. And it's the cop that gets spit on one day and will save a child's life the next. America is the country where the young military wife of two young children answers the unexpected knock at the door, looks the man in uniform in the eye and even as her whole world comes crashing down, she stands up straight, she holds back tears and takes care of her family because she must," said Crenshaw.

"This is what heroism looks like, it's who we are, a nation of heroes. And we need you now more than ever," he continued. "We need to remind ourselves what heroism really is. Heroism is self-sacrifice. It's not moralizing and lecturing over others when they disagree. Heroism is grace, not perpetual outrage. Heroism is rebuilding our communities, not destroying them."

8:49 p.m. South Dakota governor lauds Trump on 4 key issues

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem contrasted the president and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.

"I'm here tonight because I believe America is an exceptional nation, founded on three principles: equality, freedom, and opportunity. But today, our founding principles are under attack. This year the choice for Americans is between a man who values these ideals, and all that can be built because of them, and a man who isn't guided by these ideals and coincidentally has built nothing," she said.

"It took 244 years to build this great nation, flaws and all. But we stand to lose it in a tiny fraction of that time, if we continue down the path taken by the Democrats and their radical supporters. From Seattle and Portland to Washington and New York, Democrat-run cities across this country are being overrun by violent mobs," she continued. "The Republican party's commitment to individual rights and self government is as necessary today as it was in 1860, when we won our first presidential election. Our party respects individuals based on who they are. We don't divide people based on their belief or their roots. We don't shun people who think for themselves. We respect everyone, equally, under the constitution, and we treat them as Martin Luther King Jr. wished, according to the content of their character, not the color of their skin."

She also lauded the president's leadership on what she referred to as four key issues.

"In just four years, President Trump has lifted people of all races and backgrounds out of poverty. He shrunk government. He put money back into the pockets of hard-working, ordinary Americans. He has advanced religious liberty, he protected the second amendment. You can look back 50 years, you won't find anyone that has surpassed President Trump's success on these four issues alone," she said. "History chooses its heroes for the time in which they live. At our founding, Madison was one of the chosen. When the nation's very existence was challenged it was Lincoln's turn. Thanks to these men, America is a land of hope. Their examples have been repeated in countless ways by simple Americans following their conscience. But there is another American hero to be recognized. "And that is the common American. This is who president Trump is fighting for. He's fighting for you."

8:31 p.m. Rachel Scott: Stark contrast between Trump, Biden in response to Wisconsin shooting

President Trump, so far, has remained silent about the shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin on Sunday and instead is "leaning into his law and order message," ABC News White House Correspondent Rachel Scott reports.

"And that does serve as a stark contrast to what his rival, Joe Biden, is saying," she added.

Trump on Wednesday sent a misleading tweet claiming that he "will be sending federal law enforcement and the National Guard" to Kenosha, Wisconsin "to restore LAW and ORDER!"

Trump has made "law and order" a central theme of the ongoing Republican National Convention and his overall reelection campaign.

He said in his tweets that Wisconsin's Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has "agreed to accept federal assistance" but it was not immediately clear what, if any, federal assistance had in fact been accepted.

The president's authority to send in federal resources is limited without the direct invitation of the state government and decisions related to calling up the National Guard are limited to state governments.

Evers did announce Wednesday he has authorized 500 members of the Wisconsin National Guard to support local law enforcement.

The decision came after three people were shot and two killed in Kenosha overnight Tuesday into Wednesday.

Read more from ABC News' Elizabeth Thomas and Jordyn Phelps:

MORE: Trump says federal law enforcement, National Guard on way to site of violent protests in Wisconsin

8:22 p.m. RNC praise for Trump's COVID-19 response at odds with months of missteps: ANALYSIS

Scattered throughout the first night of the Republican National Convention were rave reviews of President Donald Trump's response to the coronavirus pandemic: touting treatments, shutting down travel from China and rebounding the American economy.

But all the spin on the president's handling of the virus is in sharp contrast with reality.

MORE: RNC praise for Trump's COVID-19 response at odds with months of missteps: ANALYSIS

-- ABC News' Justin Gomez and Will Steakin

8 p.m. Trump to join Pence at Fort McHenry for acceptance speech

The president will be joining the vice president at Fort McHenry when he gives his acceptance speech later Wednesday night.

Invited guests include Medal of Honor recipients, frontline workers, military veterans, firefighters, police officers and members of Soldiers Strong, a charitable organization that provides suits that allow paralyzed veterans to stand.

7:56 p.m. Biden dramatically outspends Trump on TV ads during Republican convention week

As more than 70 speakers and thousands of supporters get together this week to officially name President Donald Trump the Republican nominee and boost him for the upcoming November election, the Trump campaign is being dramatically outspent by the Biden campaign in the rivals' ever-growing television advertising wars.

The move by the Trump campaign to go conservative with its ad spending during the convention week is a stark turn for a campaign that previously promised to unleash a "Death Star"-level onslaught on its Democratic opponent leading up to Election Day.

From Tuesday through next Monday, the Trump campaign has spent just under $1.5 million on television ads -- mostly on national cable -- compared to more than $17 million that the Biden campaign has placed for the week, according to ad-buy data from ad analysis firm CMGA/Kantar media. More national cable buy from Trump is expected this week, but not likely to surpass Biden's placements, according to CMAG.

As it did during last week's Democratic convention, the Trump campaign has instead invested in digital advertising during the RNC, taking over YouTube's front page banner and flooding Facebook and Google with pro-Trump messaging.

It's unclear how much the two campaigns' total digital spending is going to be by the end of the week, but the Trump campaign in general has been leading the Biden campaign on the digital front.

-- ABC News' Will Steakin and Soo Rin Kim

7:44 p.m. Jonathan Karl: Line between Trump campaign, Trump White House 'blurring beyond recognition'

ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl previews the third night of the RNC with a look back at the second night that featured first lady Melania Trump's keynote speech at the White House and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's remarks from Jerusalem.

The norms-busting political event has transformed the White House into a backdrop for the president's campaign, raising ethical questions as he steamrolls over precedent.

MORE: Trump steamrolls norms with White House convention speech, raising ethics concerns

"The line between the Trump campaign and the Trump White House is blurring beyond recognition, as the stage is now set for the president to give his acceptance speech here on the South Lawn," Karl said Wednesday on ABC News Live Prime.

He also looked beyond the convention bubble at sports teams postponing games Wednesday over the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, earlier this week. The NBA announced Wednesday it chose to postpone all three games scheduled for the day after the Milwaukee Bucks refused to play their Game 5 against the Orlando Magic and other teams appeared likely to follow suit. ESPN was also reporting that the WNBA and several MLB teams were also postponing scheduled games Wednesday.

"What's interesting, Linsey, is that Pence -- like the president -- has often criticized professional athletes who have kneeled to protest racial injustice. And on this day, a day where when all of these NBA games are being canceled in the wake of the police shooting, in Wisconsin, I am told that he is actually not planning to repeat that criticism of the kneeling athletes," he told ABC News' Linsey Davis.

7:25 p.m. ABC News' 2020 interactive election map

Who will win in November? See how the Electoral College could play out with ABC News' 2020 interactive election map:

7:14 p.m. Republican National Convention should be about America, not Donald Trump: GOP strategist Frank Luntz

The Republican National Convention should focus more on the story of America and less on the story of President Donald Trump, veteran GOP strategist and pollster Frank Luntz said on ABC News' "Powerhouse Politics" podcast Tuesday.

"Donald Trump's single best line in the 2016 convention is when he said, 'I will be your voice.' Now, in 2020, everything is about his voice...his victimhood, his grievances, how he's been mistreated," Luntz told ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl and Political Director Rick Klein.

Luntz said that part of the president's success in 2016 boiled down to the fact that Americans felt they were being heard by the then-candidate.

"I believe he has lost some of that now. It's been too much about him and not enough about them. And that's what I'm listening for every night: Is this a speech about America, or a speech about Donald Trump? If it's about America he once again can recapture exactly what he needs," he said.

More from Luntz on ABC News' "Powerhouse Politics" podcast:

MORE: Republican National Convention should be about America, not Donald Trump: GOP strategist Frank Luntz

-- ABC News' Meg Cunningham

7 p.m. Wednesday night's full speaker lineup

The Trump campaign released its speakers list for the second night of the convention. Below is the order they're expected to appear:

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem

Scott Dane, executive director of Associated Contract Loggers and Truckers of Minnesota

Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn

Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw

National security adviser to Pence Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg

New York Rep. Lee Zeldin

Tera Lee Myers, mother of a special needs child

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany

Second lady Karen Pence

Counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway

Sister Deirdre Byrne, a surgeon and retired Army colonel

Lou Holtz, former college football coach

Michael McHale, president of the National Association of Police Organizations

New York Rep. Elise Stefanik

Madison Cawthorn, Republican nominee for North Carolina's 11th Congressional District

Chen Guangcheng, Chinese dissident

Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst

Burgess Owens, retired NFL player and Republican nominee in Utah's 4th Congressional District

Lara Trump, Trump campaign adviser and wife of Eric Trump

Sam Vigil, a New Mexico man whose wife was shot and killed in her driveway

Clarence Henderson, civil rights activist

Former acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell

Vice President Mike Pence

7 p.m. Overview of speakers

The evening's speakers include Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw and Madison Cawthorn, a 25-year-old political newcomer who won his Republican primary runoff in the North Carolina congressional seat vacated by Trump's chief of staff Mark Meadows -- without having the initial endorsement of the White House.

MORE: Trump leans on official pageantry and his own family as precedents fall at GOP convention: ANALYSIS

Counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway is still slated to speak following her surprise announcement Sunday night that she's departing from the White House at the end of the month, citing a need to focus on her family.

President Donald Trump is also expected to make some sort of appearance.

Those scheduled to speak on Wednesday night include: