CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Republican National Convention kicks off as the nation reels from another deadly shooting and dissident delegates stage a longshot, last-gasp effort to deny Donald Trump the GOP nomination for president.
Veteran reporters Dave Wagner and Essex Porter are in Cleveland this week to bring you the latest. Watch coverage on our live newscast from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p..m. on-air and here.
What to know:
- Who's speaking
- 15 things you should know
- RNC schedule
- Guide to the RNC
- Continuing local coverage on the National Conventions
Live updates from RNC
4:46 p.m.
A former top intelligence official says Donald Trump "recognizes the threats we face and is not afraid to call them what they are."
Michael Flynn once led the Defense Intelligence Agency under President Barack Obama and was thought to be on the short list of potential running mates for Trump.
Flynn is one of the scheduled speakers at the Republican National Convention on Monday night, and he says in prepared remarks that Obama has led with "bumbling indecisiveness."
Flynn says Trump will help "restore America's role as the undeniable and unquestioned world leader."
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4:40 p.m.
The brother and sister of slain Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry say Donald Trump is the only presidential candidate who'll secure the border.
Terry was shot and killed in a remote stretch of desert in Arizona in December 2010.
Guns found at the scene were later traced to a failed gun-trafficking investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Two men in the United States illegally have been convicted in Brian Terry's death.
Kelly Terry-Willis and Kent Terry are among the scheduled speakers at the Republican National Convention on Monday night. They say in prepared remarks that Trump is serious about border security and will give border agents "the resources and support needed to do their jobs."
The Terrys say: "President Trump will make America's borders secure again."
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4:40 p.m.
A car carrying some of Donald Trump's campaign staff was involved in a minor accident on the way from Trump Tower in New York to LaGuardia Airport.
Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks says the staff car was traveling separately from Trump's motorcade.
Trump wasn't in the car involved in the accident, and Hicks says everyone is OK.
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4:30 p.m.
GOP officials say delegates from Maine, Minnesota and the District of Columbia pulled their names from petitions calling for a state-by-state roll call vote on the rules that'll govern the Republican convention.
Anti-Donald Trump forces had collected enough signatures to force the roll call vote. But Trump supporters circulated a form enabling delegates to remove their names.
Delegates from Washington state also had submitted petitions calling for a full vote. Delegate Kevin Marks says the head of his state's delegation, Susan Hutchison, tried to persuade delegates on the convention floor to remove their names by warning them they'd embarrass their state.
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4:20 p.m.
Democrats say some "everyday Americans" will speak at the party's national convention next week.
The speakers include many people who Hillary Clinton met while campaigning. Others are involved in work that's similar to the kind of advocacy Clinton once did as a young lawyer — and they will highlight her advocacy on behalf of children and families.
The group includes a survivor of the 9/11 attacks, a family impacted by opioid addiction, a home health aide involved in the fight for a $15 minimum wage and the daughter of the principal of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut — — the scene of a mass shooting in 2012.
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4:10 p.m.
Who had the job of restoring order from the podium when the Republican National Convention was breaking into chaos?
It wasn't House Speaker Paul Ryan or the party chairman, Reince Priebus (ryns PREE'-bus).
That responsibility fell to the presiding officer — an Arkansas congressman named Steve Womack. He may be little known outside his state or away from Capitol Hill.
Womack talked firmly over angry delegates on Monday, and he called for a voice vote on a rules package opposed by anti-Donald Trump forces. Womack then declared that the "aye" side had prevailed.
Womack is a leadership ally who's part of the vote-counting whip team in the House. He's a retired Army National Guard officer.
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4 p.m.
The Republican Party has adopted what Christian conservatives are cheering as the most conservative statement of party policy principles in recent memory.
The GOP national convention has approved language reaffirming the party's opposition to gay marriage and bathroom choice for transgender people.
And there's new language condemning same-sex parenting.
Here's what it says: "Children raised in a traditional two-parent household tend to be physically and emotionally healthier, less likely to sue drugs and alcohol, engage in crime or become pregnant outside of marriage."
The party's platform represents the GOP's formal policy positions for the next four years. The document serves as guidance for Republican leaders across the nation, but is not binding.
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3:45 p.m.
It took two votes, but delegates at the Republican National Convention were able to approve the rules that'll govern the convention.
It was some scene.
The rules won approval in an initial voice vote, and then anti-Donald Trump delegates became raucous and started chanting, "Call the roll!"
Others drowned them out with chants of "USA!"
There was a brief break before Steve Womack — the Arkansas congressman who was chairing the proceedings — returned to the podium and called for a second voice vote.
He said for a second time that the rules had passed.
The anti-Trump delegates wanted a state-by-state roll call vote on the rules. That would have been a drawn-out process and could have exposed party divisions.
These delegates collected enough signatures on petitions to force a roll-call vote, but Trump supporters persuaded some delegates to remove their names.
Ending the dust-up was important to show at least a veneer of party unity behind Trump.
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3:40 p.m.
A spokesman for Chris Christie says the New Jersey governor was mistaken when he referred to a donation made by Donald Trump to Superstorm Sandy relief efforts.
Christie spokesman Brian Murray says Christie "misspoke" about the Sandy donation. The spokesman says Trump has given to other New Jersey charities, including a foundation dedicated to the governor's mansion.
Earlier Monday, Christie told the Michigan delegation at the GOP convention that his wife, Mary Pat Christie, once asked Trump for a Sandy donation and that Trump responded by saying: "How much does the check need to be? Just tell me, and I'll send it."
But Trump isn't listed in a final report thanking the more than 150 people and companies that donated at least $25,000 to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.
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3:35 p.m.
House Speaker Paul Ryan has been officially elected chairman of the Republican National Convention.
The Wisconsin lawmaker was elected on a quick voice vote with no opposition.
Ryan will now preside over the convention to nominate Donald Trump as the Republican nominee for president.
Ryan has had an uneasy relationship with Trump. He endorsed the billionaire businessman but has criticized some of Trump's rhetoric.
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3:30 p.m.
Donald Trump's supporters have succeeded in heading off a state-by-state roll call vote on the rules that will govern the GOP's national convention.
Anti-Trump delegates collected signatures on petitions calling for the vote.
They had support from a majority of the delegates in nine states — two more than needed.
But Rep. Steve Womack — who was chairing the proceedings — said from the podium that delegates from three states withdrew their signatures. He then declared that the effort had fallen short.
Womack took the unusual step of calling for two separate voice votes. He declared the pro-Trump delegates victorious both times.
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3:20 p.m.
Republican leaders have hastily approved rules that will govern the Republican National Convention — but approval came over the loud objections from anti-Donald Trump delegates.
The dissident delegates are pressing to hold a state-by-state roll call vote on the rules.
Instead, Rep. Steve Womack, who was chairing the proceedings, called a quick voice vote.
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3:15 p.m.
The Republican National Convention has started considering reports by the convention committees.
The convention is starting with the report by the credentials committee. Delegates also will consider and vote on the rules of the convention.
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3 p.m.
A Republican Party official says nine states have submitted petitions to force a full state-by-state roll call vote on the rules of the convention. That's two more states than necessary.
The official says the party has verified that the petitions and signatures are legitimate.
The official wasn't authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The vote is sought by anti-Donald Trump delegates who want the ability to vote for someone other than Trump.
He's amassed far more delegates than he needs to win the GOP presidential nomination.
The drawn-out vote probably won't change the outcome of the convention, but it could expose party divisions.
The Trump campaign is fighting back by circulating a form allowing people to remove their names from the roll-call vote petition
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1:20 p.m.
There is no shortage of action inside the convention hall as anti-Trump delegates work to cause mischief behind the scenes.
A steady stream of speakers has already been featured at the podium. They include several state and country Republican officials, with a special welcome from one Democrat: Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson. He got a warm reception from the hundreds of Republican delegates seated in the main convention hall.
In between speakers, loud music is pumping throughout the basketball arena. A band set off to the side of the stage played a cover of the popular Canadian band, Rush, among others.
At other times, Republican governors from across the nation are featured on video screens throughout the arena — including some governors who are not participating in the formal convention program. They include Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Susana Martinez, who are in Cleveland this week, but boycotting Trump's' convention.
The higher profile-speakers, such as actors Scott Baio and Duck Dynasty star Will Robertson will take the stage later tonight.
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1:30 p.m.
Donald Trump's supporters have succeeded in heading off a state-by-state roll call vote on the rules that will govern the GOP's national convention.
Anti-Trump delegates collected signatures on petitions calling for the vote.
They had support from a majority of the delegates in nine states — two more than needed.
But Rep. Steve Womack — who was chairing the proceedings — said from the podium that delegates from three states withdrew their signatures. He then declared that the effort had fallen short.
Womack took the unusual step of calling for two separate voice votes. He declared the pro-Trump delegates victorious both times.
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1:20 p.m.
Republican leaders have hastily approved rules that will govern the Republican National Convention — but approval came over the loud objections from anti-Donald Trump delegates.
The dissident delegates are pressing to hold a state-by-state roll call vote on the rules.
Instead, Rep. Steve Womack, who was chairing the proceedings, called a quick voice vote.
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1:15 p.m.
The Republican National Convention has started considering reports by the convention committees.
The convention is starting with the report by the credentials committee. Delegates also will consider and vote on the rules of the convention.
Anti-Trump delegates are angry their voices aren't being heard with a floor vote. pic.twitter.com/NZejVanC4J
— Dave Wagner (@DaveKIRO7) July 18, 2016
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1 p.m.
A Republican Party official says nine states have submitted petitions to force a full state-by-state roll call vote on the rules of the convention. That's two more states than necessary.
The official says the party has verified that the petitions and signatures are legitimate.
The official wasn't authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The vote is sought by anti-Donald Trump delegates who want the ability to vote for someone other than Trump.
He's amassed far more delegates than he needs to win the GOP presidential nomination.
The drawn-out vote probably won't change the outcome of the convention, but it could expose party divisions.
The Trump campaign is fighting back by circulating a form allowing people to remove their names from the roll-call vote petition
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12:20 p.m.
There is no shortage of action inside the convention hall as anti-Trump delegates work to cause mischief behind the scenes.
A steady stream of speakers has already been featured at the podium. They include several state and country Republican officials, with a special welcome from one Democrat: Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson. He got a warm reception from the hundreds of Republican delegates seated in the main convention hall.
In between speakers, loud music is pumping throughout the basketball arena. A band set off to the side of the stage played a cover of the popular Canadian band, Rush, among others.
At other times, Republican governors from across the nation are featured on video screens throughout the arena — including some governors who are not participating in the formal convention program. They include Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Susana Martinez, who are in Cleveland this week, but boycotting Trump's' convention.
The higher profile-speakers, such as actors Scott Baio and Duck Dynasty star Will Robertson will take the stage later tonight.
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12:15 p.m.
The Trump campaign is fighting back against an attempt to force a state-by-state roll call to approve the rules of the convention.
Anti-Trump delegates have submitted petitions from delegates in at least nine states calling for the roll call vote. Such a vote probably won't change the outcome of the convention, but it could disrupt the first day of an event designed to show GOP unity behind Donald Trump.
However, Utah delegate Aimee Winder Newton says the Trump campaign is passing around a form allowing people to remove their names from the petition. Basically, it's a second petition to un-sign the first. She says no one appears to be taking them up on it.
One delegate throws credentials on floor and walks off as anti trump delegates make last stand. @cbsnewspath pic.twitter.com/4BuRBxRMCB
— Kenneth Craig (@KCraigTV) July 18, 2016
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11:49 a.m.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie describes presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump as generous, citing as proof his quick offer to donate money to Superstorm Sandy relief efforts.
But Trump isn't listed in a final report thanking the more than 150 people and companies that donated at least $25,000 to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund effort run by Christie's wife, Mary Pat, after the devastating 2012 storm.
Christie told Michigan's Republican delegation in Ohio Monday that the billionaire businessman asked Mary Pat "How much does the check need to be?" and said "just tell me, and I'll send it."
Spokespeople for Trump, Christie and a board member of the fund didn't immediately return requests for comment.
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11:46 a.m.
Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson says that Donald Trump made the right choice when he selected Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate, describing the ticket as "anti-establishment, but not crazy."
Carson tells The Associated Press in an interview Monday that he believes Pence adds crucial experience to the ticket — along with fundraising prowess.
He also expects a Trump presidency would be very different from the unconventional campaign that he's been running.
Carson says that, "we're more the WWE Raw society right now" and says candidates need to understand that when they're running for office.
"You have to give to people the raw meat that they seek," he says.
But he expects Trump would mellow if he won the White House. "I don't think he would be the WWE president," he says.
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11:40 a.m.
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is on his way to Cleveland to be confirmed as Donald Trump's running mate.
Pence boarded a private jet Monday afternoon at Indianapolis International Airport with his wife, Karen, and one of his daughters for the trip to the Republican National Convention.
The Republican governor had returned to Indiana on Saturday following his formal debut that morning as Donald Trump's running mate in Manhattan.
Pence didn't make any remarks or take any questions before his Monday departure, which wasn't open to the public. Pence is expected to speak Wednesday during the GOP convention.
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11:25 a.m.
Members of the GOP convention's rules committee say there will be no changes that could deny the Republican nomination to Donald Trump.
There are still efforts to force a state-by-state roll call on the rules for the convention. Such a maneuver could draw out the process and disrupt the flow of the convention. But it won't change the outcome.
"The war is over, Donald Trump will be the nominee," said Bruce Ash, an Arizona delegate who sits on the rules committee.
Dissident delegates want to change the rules to allow them to vote their conscience. Under current rules, they must vote for the candidate who won them.
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11:44 a.m.
Hillary Clinton is condemning the killing of three Louisiana law enforcement officers, saying police represent the "rule of law" and the shootings amount to taking aim "at all of us."
Clinton was speaking Monday at the NAACP national convention in Cincinnati. The Democratic presidential candidate says after the shooting of the officers in Baton Rouge, "this madness has to stop."
Clinton says the recent killings of police officers in Dallas and now in Baton Rouge threaten the ability of the nation to make progress. She says police "represent the rule of law itself. If you take aim at that and them, you take aim at all of us."
The former secretary of state says anyone who kills a police officer or acts as an accomplice must be held accountable.
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11:34 a.m.
Newt Gingrich says the Bush family is behaving "childishly" for skipping this week's Republican National Convention.
In a Monday morning interview with ABC's "Good Morning America" at the RNC site in Cleveland, the former GOP House speaker said "the Republican party has been awfully good to the Bushes and they're showing remarkably little gratitude."
He says the family needs to "get over" former Florida Governor Jeb Bush's loss to presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump in the primary race.
Gingrich also says he's not disappointed that he was passed over by Trump for the vice presidential slot on the Republican ticket in favor of Indiana Governor Mike Pence. He says if the job is to court support from "regular Republicans," then Pence "will do a much better job."
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11:24 a.m.
A group of dissident conservatives says it's gathered the signatures needed to force a showdown vote over Republican rules on the GOP national convention's first day.
Party leaders have been trying to avert the clash in hopes of projecting an image of a united party as delegates gather to formally nominate Donald Trump to be president. They've been lobbying to try to head off the clash, and expect to win if such a vote occurs.
But just after the convention was gaveled into session on Monday, a dissident group called Delegates Unbound said in an email that it had gathered statements calling for a roll call by a majority of delegates from 10 states. Under GOP rules, a roll call can be demanded if most delegates from seven states sign such a statement.
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10:00 a.m.
Republicans have opened their convention in Cleveland where they'll nominate Donald Trump to be the party's presidential standard-bearer in November.
Party chairman Reince Preibus kicked off the four-day event. He almost immediately asked for a moment of silence to remember those who been killed during recent "troubling times."
The major speakers are slated for the evening when Melania Trump, wife of the candidate, addresses the delegates.
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9:59 a.m.
Hillary Clinton is condemning the killing of three Louisiana law enforcement officers, saying police represent the "rule of law" and the shootings amount to taking aim "at all of us."
Clinton was speaking Monday at the NAACP national convention in Cincinnati. The Democratic presidential candidate says after the shooting of the officers in Baton Rouge, "this madness has to stop."
Clinton says the recent killings of police officers in Dallas and now in Baton Rouge threaten the ability of the nation to make progress. She says police "represent the rule of law itself. If you take aim at that and them, you take aim at all of us."
The former secretary of state says anyone who kills a police officer or acts as an accomplice must be held accountable.
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9:29 a.m.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says that he's relieved Donald Trump chose a governor to be his running mate and that "we don't need another big mouth from Congress."
Christie told a group of Michigan Republicans gathered in Ohio Monday that Trump needed someone with him who has governed.
Christie and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich were runners-up to Indiana Gov. Mike Pence in Trump's vice presidential search. Christie didn't mention Gingrich when making the "big mouth" comment.
Christie told reporters Sunday that he was disappointed he wasn't chosen, but has "no discontent."
Speaking at a hotel outside of Cleveland, Christie told the Michigan delegation that the GOP needs to come together to defeat Hillary Clinton .
Chairman @Susan_Hutch leads @WAGOP breakfast in Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/SxjAqalwUT
— Essex J. Porter (@EssexKIRO7) July 18, 2016
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9:12 a.m.
Melania Trump is drawing lots of online interest ahead of her prime-time speech at the Republican National Convention.
The wife of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Monday morning was the most widely searched of the convention's GOP speakers among Google users.
Google Trends says actor Scott Baio and David A. Clarke Jr., the sheriff in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, also are drawing wide interest.
Baio is a veteran actor who has starred the shows "Charles In Charge," ''Joanie Loves Chachi" and "Happy Days." Clarke, who is African-American, has spoken out against the Black Lives Matter movement and blames its supporters for inflaming racial tensions.
Meanwhile, the top searched political issues on Monday were "police," ''race issues" and "ISIS."
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9:06 a.m.
Newt Gingrich says last-ditch efforts by conservative delegates to block Donald Trump's nomination at the Republican National Convention are "silly" and should stop.
Gingrich is among those that Trump considered to become his running mate and is the former House speaker.
Some outnumbered delegates are trying to force the GOP to make rules changes that would include letting delegates back any presidential candidate they'd like and weaken the power of Republican Party leaders.
The Georgia Republican says of that effort, "It's silly. Trump carried 37 states. He's going to be the nominee."
Gingrich spoke to a reporter outside the convention center as delegates filed into the Quicken Loans Arena for Monday's start of the convention.
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8:55 a.m.
Wisconsin's Paul Ryan cheers for the Pittsburgh Steelers?
The speaker of the House is a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan and part owner of the publicly-owned team. But at a breakfast appearance before the Pennsylvania delegation Monday, Ryan was not afraid to pander to his audience, including dozens of ardent Pittsburgh Steelers fans.
"I want to win this election so darn badly that I am willing to do this!" Ryan shouted as he waved a yellow-and-black "Terrible Towel" waved by Steelers fans at NFL games. The crowd cheered wildly.
Ryan said he was relieved that the towels no longer are made in Wisconsin, as they were when he campaigned in Pittsburgh as the GOP's vice presidential nominee in 2012.
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8:49 a.m.
Republicans are delicately thinking of the 2020 presidential campaign before Donald Trump even accepts the 2016 GOP presidential nomination in Cleveland.
Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton didn't speak of the next presidential campaign during an address to about 100 Republican activists at a downtown convention center as the GOP convention opened. But some delegates present said they heard a potential 2020 candidate speaking.
Jane Page of Aiken, South Carolina, said the group is "really good at identifying candidates four, even six years out," and added that Cotton, a freshman senator, is "impressive."
Cotton, a 37-year-old former U.S. House member and combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, railed on Democratic President Barack Obama's national security policies, and touted a more aggressive military policy.
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8:23 a.m.
Minnesota Republicans are backing a last-ditch effort that could hinder business mogul Donald Trump's nomination for the president.
Republicans prepared to start their convention Monday, with an expected vote in the afternoon on the rules that will govern the week. Insurgent delegates have circulated a petition to force a state-by-state vote as part of their bid to deny Trump the nomination.
Minnesota delegate Matt Pagano confirmed a majority of the state's 38 delegates supported a roll call vote. A majority of delegates from seven states must back the effort to force a roll call vote.
Minnesota handed Trump one of his worst finishes in an otherwise strong primary season performance this winter. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio won the state, and Trump finished third with 8 delegates.
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