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RNC: Sen. Tim Scott declares Democrats want a 'fundamentally different America'

By Danielle Haynes & Daniel Uria   |   Updated Aug. 24, 2020 at 11:49 PM
Fireworks explode over the Washington Monument after President Donald Trump delivered his acceptance speech for the GOP nomination for his re-election on the final night of the Republican National Convention on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington D.C., on Thursday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI The president (C) stands with family members, from left to right, son Donald Trump Jr., daughter Tiffany Trump, first lady Melania Trump and son Barron Trump after his speech. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI In his acceptance speech, Trump said Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden wants to keep Americans "completely in the dark." Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI As he closed the convention, Trump touted his accomplishments over his four years as president, while describing Biden as "weak." Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI Demonstrators protest Trump's acceptance speech during the Republican National Convention at Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI Ivanka Trump, who introduced her father, said he may be unconventional, but the "results speak for themselves." Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI Vice President Mike Pence said the United States will "have law and order on the streets" on the third night of the Republican National Convention. Pence spoke from Fort McHenry in Baltimore on Wednesday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI Second lady Karen Pence discussed art therapy for members of the military with post-traumatic stress disorder. UPI Photo Lara Trump, daughter-in-law and campaign adviser for President Donald Trump, declared November's vote "the most critical election in modern history." UPI Photo First lady Melania Trump said her husband, President Donald Trump, "has not and will not lose focus on Americans." She delivered the speech from the White House Rose Garden on Tuesday, the second night of the Republican National Convention. Read the full text here. Photo by Michael Reynolds/UPI President Donald Trump prepares to watch his wife's speech. Photo by Michael Reynolds/UPI Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, whose speech to the convention was recorded as he worked in Jerusalem, said the president has made his family safer by putting his "America First vision" into action. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, has opened an investigation into Pompeo's participation in the convention while on official business. Photo by UPI The president's son Eric Trump dismissed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden as a "pushover" on the second day of the convention. Pool Photo by Chip Somodevilla/UPI The president's daughter Tiffany Trump called on young Americans to "transcend political boundaries" and vote "based on results and not rhetoric" in November. Pool Photo by Chip Somodevilla/UPI Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron criticized comments Biden made about Black voters, declaring, "I am not in chains. My mind is my own." Pool Photo by Chip Somodevilla/UPI Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez spoke out against socialism in her convention speech, saying "the fabric of our nation is in peril." Pool Photo by Chip Somodevilla/UPI Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said he supports the president because he seeks to end wars and criticized Biden for voting for the Iraq War. UPI Photo Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned Biden and the international business of his son Hunter Biden. Pool Photo by Chip Somodevilla/UPI Anti-abortion activist Abby Johnson delivers a speech to the convention on Tuesday. Photo by UPI Vice President Mike Pence addresses the second night of the convention after having been officially nominated on Monday. Photo by UPI Covington Catholic High School student Nicholas Sandmann addresses the convention. UPI Photo Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., closed the first night of the convention on Monday, declaring that Biden and Democrats want a "fundamentally different America." Pool Photo by Chip Somodevilla/UPI Donald Trump Jr. said Biden's "radical left-wing policies" will "stop our economic recovery cold." Pool Photo by Chip Somodevilla/UPI Former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, speaking on the first night of the convention, said Biden has "a record of weakness and failure" on international relations. Pool Photo by Chip Somodevilla/UPI Wearing a face mask to reduce the risk of transmission of the coronavirus, Donald Trump Jr. (R) watches his girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle as she pre-records her address to the convention. Pool Photo by Chip Somodevilla/UPI A truck with a message protesting President Donald Trump is parked outside the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., where some convention events were being held. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel speaks during the first day of the convention. Pool Photo by Chip Somodevilla/UPI Patricia and Mark McCloskey, the St. Louis couple who were charged after waving guns at Black Lives Matter protesters near their property, address the first night of the convention. Photo by UPI Trump speaks on the first day of the convention in Charlotte, N.C. Pool Photo by Chris Carlson/UPI Delegates listen to Trump's speech in person in Charlotte. Pool Photo by Jessica Koscielniak/UPI States were allowed six delegates each to attend in person and a total 336 delegates for the live roll call. Pool Photo by Chris Carlson/UPI Vice President Mike Pence prepares to speak Monday in Charlotte. Pool Photo by Chris Carlson/UPI The North Carolina delegation nominates Trump for re-election on Monday. Pool Photo by Chris Carlson/UPI McDaniel gavels the call to order at the opening of the first day. Pool Photo by Chris Carlson/UPI The room is set Monday for the first day of the convention. Pool Photo by Chris Carlson/UPI The four-day event started with 336 delegates gathering to nominate Trump. Pool Photo by Chris Carlson/UPI The GOP will limit the number of in-person events that take place in Charlotte. Many speakers will deliver their remarks remotely via video. Pool Photo by Chris Carlson/UPI The theme of the convention's first day was "Land of Promise." Pool Photo by Chris Carlson/UPI Many participants wore face coverings to protect against the coronavirus. Pool Photo by Chris Carlson/UPI In a normal year, the convention would draw thousands of supporters, delegates and elected officials. Pool Photo by Chris Carlson/UPI

Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Sen. Tim Scott closed the first night of the Republican National Convention by declaring that Democrats want "a fundamentally different America."

Scott, R-S.C., accused Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and Democrats of "trying to permanently transform what it means to be an American" on Monday night after President Donald Trump was officially nominated for a second term at the Republican National Convention.

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"Make no mistake: Job Biden and Kamala Harris want a cultural revolution. A fundamentally different America," Scott said. "If we let them ... they will turn our country into a socialist utopia ... and history has taught us that only leads to pain and misery, especially for hard-working people hoping to rise."

Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley accused former President Barack Obama and Biden, his vice president, of refusing to stand up for the United States while praising Trump's foreign policy.

"The president has a record of strength and success. The former vice president has a record of weakness and failure. Joe Biden is good for Iran and ISIS ... great for Communist China ... and he's a godsend to everyone who wants America to apologize, abstain and abandon our values," said Haley.

The president's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., hailed his father's efforts to spur economic recovery from the pandemic while criticizing Biden for saying he would shut down businesses again if high case totals persisted.

He said that Biden's "radical leftwing policies" will "stop our economic recovery cold."

"After eight years of Obama and Biden's slow growth, Trump's policies have been like rocket fuel to the economy and especially the middle class," Trump Jr. said.

Earlier in the convention, Trump was officially named the Republican nominee during a scaled-down roll call vote.

States were limited to six delegates at the Charlotte Convention Center, 336 total for the live roll call, unlike the Democratic National Convention where the roll call was done virtually.

"The country is counting on us," Trump said after arriving at the convention center.

"We are getting ready to see things we have never seen before," he added, saying the 2020 election is the most important vote in U.S. history.

"We have done more in this administration than any other administration in our history."

Vice President Mike Pence made brief comments at the convention after he was also renominated. The roll call is usually held on Tuesday but was moved up by the party's updated schedule.

The event, scheduled to run through Thursday, will be largely virtual. Some small, official business will still take place in Charlotte, N.C.

After some last-minute wrangling to attempt to move the convention to Jacksonville, Fla., the GOP settled on keeping Charlotte as its base, but severely limiting the number of in-person events that take place there.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper warned in June it was likely that safety measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 wouldn't be lifted in time for Republicans to hold their full program of events with thousands of supporters, delegates and elected officials in attendance.

Originally scheduled to be held at the Spectrum Center, the in-person events, including Monday's roll call of delegates, took place at the Charlotte Convention Center. Most other events will be virtual, including Trump's acceptance speech from the South Lawn of the White House on Thursday.

Here's a glimpse at the schedule for the Republican National Convention:

Day 1 -- Monday

The first day of the convention is themed "Land of Promise," with the highlight of the day being Monday afternoon's roll call vote of the delegates in Charlotte, who formally nominated Trump and Pence for the Republican ticket.

Monday's schedule of speakers also included Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the St. Louis couple who were charged after waving guns at Black Lives Matter protesters near their property; and Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana.

Day 2 -- Tuesday

The second day's theme is "Land of Opportunity," with first lady Melania Trump speaking from the newly revamped Rose Garden at the White House.

Day 3 -- Wednesday

The third day's theme is "Land of Heroes," and Pence will give remarks from Fort McHenry in Baltimore.

Day 4 -- Thursday

The final day of the RNC is themed "Land of Greatness," during which President Trump will formally accept the Republican nomination from the White House.

The convention can be viewed on television, and online using computers and mobile devices, and listened to using Amazon Alexa. The committee is also streaming the event on social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.