The second day of the RNC was dubbed “Make America Work Again.” During the prime-time speeches, Donald Trump Jr. spoke about his father’s business record and his negotiation skills. Retired brain surgeon and former presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson used his medical expertise to criticize potential Clinton voters, saying, “They’re not using their God-given brain to think about what they are saying.” New Jersey Governor Chris Christie also criticized Clinton.
Gov. Chris Christie: “Answer me now: Is she guilty or not guilty?”
Delegates: “Guilty! … Lock her up! Lock her up! Lock her up! Lock her up! Lock her up!”
That’s the audience chanting “Lock her up! Lock her up!” But Arizona Senator Jeff Flake, who has chosen not to come to the RNC, tweeted, “Hillary Clinton now belongs in prison? C’mon. We can make the case that she shouldn’t be elected without jumping the shark.” Meanwhile, keynote speaker Paul Ryan mentioned Trump’s name only twice during his nearly 1,500-word speech. Wisconsin Republican Senator Ron Johnson only mentioned Trump’s name once. Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson also spoke Tuesday night. Last year, as governor, he followed the lead of Indiana governor and now Trump running mate Mike Pence in supporting the controversial anti-LGBT legislation known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, but ended up refusing to sign it until the state Legislature amended the bill. This came after his own son signed a MoveOn petition criticizing the legislation. We’ll have more on Donald Trump’s official nomination with Nation magazine journalist John Nichols after headlines.