‘Safety will be restored,’ Trump vows in accepting nomination

Declaring America in crisis, Donald Trump pledged to cheering Republicans and still-skeptical voters Thursday night that as president he will restore the safety they fear they’re losing, strictly curb immigration and save the nation from Hillary Clinton’s record of “death, destruction, terrorism and weakness.”

Confidently addressing the finale of his party’s less-than-smooth national convention, the billionaire businessman declared the nation’s problems too staggering to be fixed within the confines of traditional politics.

“I have joined the political arena so that the powerful can no longer beat up on people that cannot defend themselves,” Trump said.

The 70-year-old celebrity businessman’s acceptance of the Republican nomination caps his improbable takeover of the GOP. His address on the closing night of the convention marked his highest-profile opportunity yet to heal Republican divisions and show voters he’s prepared for the presidency.

The more than hourlong speech was strikingly dark for a celebratory event and almost entirely lacking in specific policy details. Trump shouted throughout as he read off a teleprompter.

He accused Clinton, his Democratic rival, of utterly lacking the good judgment to serve in the White House and as the military’s commander in chief. He said her greatest achievement may have been avoiding prison for her use of a private email and personal server as secretary of state.

“This is the legacy of Hillary Clinton: death, destruction, terrorism and weakness,” he said. “But Hillary Clinton’s legacy does not have to be America’s legacy.”

In a direct appeal to Americans shaken by a summer of violence at home and around the world, Trump promised that if he takes office in January, “safety will be restored.”

In a nod to a broader swath of Americans, he said young people in predominantly black cities “have as much of a right to live out their dreams as any other child in America.” He also vowed to protect gays and lesbians from violence and oppression, a pledge that was greeted with applause from the crowd.

Trump was introduced by his daughter Ivanka, who announced a child care policy proposal that the campaign had not mentioned before: “As president, my father will change the labor laws that were put in place at a time when women weren’t a significant portion of the workplace, and he will focus on making quality child care affordable and accessible for all.”

Trump took the stage in Cleveland facing a daunting array of challenges, many of his own making. Though he vanquished 16 primary rivals, he’s viewed with unprecedented negativity by the broader electorate. The first three days of this week’s convention bordered on chaos, starting with a plagiarism charge involving wife Melania Trump’s speech and moving on to Sen. Ted Cruz’s dramatic refusal to endorse him.

Delegates from Missouri and Kansas applauded Trump’s theme of law and order.

“Donald said all the major points he really needed to with regards to immigration and the trade deficit,” said Derrick Good, a Missouri delegate. “And obviously, with the things that have gone on in the last week, law and order has to be a huge issue.”

Kansas delegate Todd Tiahrt made a similar observation: “In America, we’re seeing lots of people worried about their own safety. Just look at what happened in Kansas City, Kan. I think this is resonating with the people of Kansas and resonating with the people of America.”

Valinda Freed, a Missouri delegate, said Trump would bring hope to Americans who haven’t had any: “It’s amazing. People can’t function when they’re afraid.”

In other convention developments:

▪ In his speech, Trump put a lid on the calls by delegates to put Clinton in jail. The crowd began chanting “Lock her up!” — a chant heard during previous nights. But Trump waved his hands in a motion to discourage the refrain, saying, “Let’s defeat her in November.”

▪ Earlier Thursday, chants of “All Lives Matter” filled the hall, led by Mark Burns, a pastor from South Carolina. He said Trump won’t “pander” to one race.

Burns also called on the GOP to listen to the problems of people in disenfranchised communities in the country. He says that more than anything, they want jobs.

▪ The longtime sheriff of metropolitan Phoenix fired up the crowd by reminding them of Trump’s pledge to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

To chants of “build the wall,” Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said, “I have fought on the front lines to prevent illegal immigration, and I know Donald Trump will stand with me and other proud Americans to secure our border.”

▪ High-tech entrepreneur Peter Thiel told the convention that he’s proud to be gay and proud to be a Republican — but most of all, proud to be an American. The PayPal co-founder was the first person to give a GOP convention speech and acknowledge being gay.

▪ Hundreds of demonstrators for and against Trump gathered in Cleveland’s Public Square late Thursday but slowly scattered ahead of Trump’s speech. Shouting matches among the groups — who included anarchists, anti-Muslim protesters and Bikers for Trump — came to a halt once they were outnumbered by police. As of Thursday, police reported 23 protest-related arrests since Monday, well below what law enforcement officials had expected.

▪ An interview published Thursday by The New York Times sparked criticism after the candidate suggested a Trump administration would not automatically defend fellow members of NATO from a Russian attack if they have not lived up to their financial obligations.

The nominee’s remarks provoked a swift rebuke from NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who said, “Solidarity among allies is a key value for NATO.” Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell told the Times that he totally disagreed with Trump’s statement but was willing to “chalk it up to a rookie mistake.”

▪ With the Democratic convention looming next week, Virginia’s Sen. Tim Kaine has emerged as the leading contender to join the Democratic ticket as Clinton’s running mate, according to two Democrats, who cautioned that Clinton hasn’t made a final decision. Kaine grew up in Overland Park and attended Rockhurst High School. Other sources said Kaine was one of several leading contenders.

The announcement of Clinton’s pick could come as early as this afternoon in Florida.

This story was originally published July 21, 2016 at 11:25 PM with the headline "‘Safety will be restored,’ Trump vows in accepting nomination."