The former US president Donald Trump has chosen JD Vance, a Republican senator hailing from Ohio, to stand alongside him as his vice presidential candidate. Despite Vance’s past criticisms of Trump, he has since evolved into a fervent supporter of the ex-president. This news was announced on Trump’s ‘Truth Social’ website as the Republican National Convention kicked off in Milwaukee for the selection of the party’s presidential candidate.
Vance, better know by his published author name James David Vance of the celebrated memoir ‘Hillbilly Elegy’, could potentially boost Trump’s chances in the upcoming November 5th elections. Vance’s popularity among Trump’s core supporters due to his origins and staunch conservative ideology might garner increased voter turnout. However, the 39-year-old senator’s firm right-wing stance could deter some moderate voters and might not expand Trump’s voting base significantly.
Trump also expressed satisfaction over the recent dismissal of a case against him concerning classified documents. The lawsuit was part of ongoing federal investigations following an ill-executed assassination attempt on Trump during a public gathering in Pennsylvania. Federal judge Aileen M Cannon, who was appointed by Trump during his presidency, found the procurement of special counsel Jack Smith to be unconstitutional, leading to the case’s dismissal.
This decision, contradicting several past court rulings tracing back to the infamous Watergate scandal during Richard Nixon’s time, sparked instant legal controversy and scrutiny. Although an appeal against the decision is likely, it won’t be heard before the November elections.
Utilising his preferred platform, ‘Truth Social’, Trump greeted the decision whilst expressing his intentions to assist in healing the nation post the distressing events that led to a spectator losing his life during the botched assassination attempt.
Trump stated that he hopes this dismissal is followed by more such verdicts against the various cases against him. These include the supposed coup attempt on January 6th in Washington D.C., the ongoing case by the Manhattan District Attorney, the accusations presented by the New York Attorney General, fraudulent accusations from an unknown woman, and the controversial phone call scenario in Georgia. He accused the Democratic justice department of orchestrating these politically motivated attacks to interfere in the election against himself, Joe Biden’s competition.
During a conversation, he revisited his near-death encounter at a rally in Pennsylvania. He was nearly hit by a bullet, fired by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, that somehow only grazed his right ear. This assault left him bleeding, but fortunately did not cause serious damage. He painted a vivid picture of the chaos that ensued, with Secret Service agents swiftly moving to protect him. Recounting his ordeal, he said: “The agents’ forceful actions caused my tightly worn shoes to fall off.” He went on to comment on the powerful image of him, bloodied yet defiant, with his fist clenched, taken immediately post the assassination attempt.
“Many consider it to be the most iconic image ever,” he stated.
He agreed, adding, “Typically, you have to lose your life for a picture to be labeled iconic, I survived. I wanted to continue speaking, even after being shot.” – Some information was collected from Reuters