The figure of President Trump loomed large over the second day of the Republican convention, as he pardoned a convicted bank robber in a surprise video reveal in the hours leading up to the event.
For the second day running, the president inserted himself into the program ahead of the traditional Thursday slot reserved for the nominee. He also made headlines during the day with a key personnel announcement.
In a clip due to be shown during the evening programming, Trump is seen meeting Jon Ponder, a New York gang member who spent more than 20 years in prison before reforming and founding a rehabilitation program.
The president called his story “a beautiful testament to the power of redemption.”
Trump had asked advisers to work in some surprises through the convention, much like the made-for-TV moment in his State of the Union address when he provoked an emotional reaction by presenting talk radio host Rush Limbaugh with the Medal of Freedom.
In the new video, Trump pays tribute to Ponder before inviting his wife to join them as he grants the pardon. “I’m not sure you know this,” says the president while the man beside him bows his head with emotion.
“Thank you,” says Ponder in a voice close to cracking.
The president is also featured in another video, making a surprise appearance at a naturalization ceremony.
A day earlier, before the evening programming had even begun, he flew to Charlotte, North Carolina, to deliver a campaign-style speech accusing Democrats of trying to steal the election.
He intervened again on Tuesday, announcing on Twitter that he would nominate Department of Homeland Security acting Secretary Chad Wolf for the permanent role.
Immigration was a central plank of Trump’s first term in office and is one of the main themes of his reelection effort as he claims that Democratic nominee Joe Biden would throw open America’s borders.
He also praised CNN for its coverage of the first night.
Very appreciative that @CNN covered the vast majority of the Republican Convention last night. That was really good for CNN, while at the same time being good for our Country. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 25, 2020
Presidential historians said it was unusual for a nominee to feature so heavily ahead of the traditional Thursday spot, although the restrictions of a COVID-19 convention had turned everything upside down.
The second night also drew heavily on the Trump family. As well as first lady Melania Trump, the speakers include the president’s son Eric and daughter Tiffany, who set out how she believed her father had challenged the establishment during his first term.
