7:08
- ABC News
- August 23, 2020
2020 Republican National Convention: What to know
The RNC will be a far more scaled-back affair than initially planned.
7:08
What to expect in Washington, D.C.
The president, first lady and vice president are set to speak in and around the capital.
Melania Trump will give a speech from the Rose Garden at the White House on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, about 40 miles from the White House, Pence is expected to deliver remarks from Fort McHenry in Baltimore, which is known as a centerpiece in the War of 1812 and was the site of the battle that inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem that eventually became \"The Star-Spangled Banner.\"
The entire convention caps off with the president's acceptance speech on Thursday night, which will be followed by fireworks at the Washington Monument, according to plans from the RNC, which submitted an application with the National Park Service earlier this month.
Medical professionals are advising on coronavirus-related protocols for live events, organizers said, but provided no further details.
Who will be speaking
In the lead up to Trump's address, Republicans have plans for a mix of speakers, including GOP leaders such as Sens. Tim Scott, R-S.C., Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez.
Reps. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., will also appear at the convention, Trump said earlier this month, referring to them as \"warrior congressmen.\"
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is set to deliver taped remarks, a campaign spokesperson confirmed to ABC News.
The list for guest speakers also includes Sean Parnell, an Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient who served on the Afghan-Pakistan border. Parnell is running as a Republican candidate for the U.S. House in Pennsylvania's 17th District against incumbent Rep. Conor Lamb.
Alice Johnson, a 63-year-old great-grandmother who served almost 22 years in federal prison for a first-time criminal offense, will also be speaking. Johnson was granted a commutation by Trump in 2018 after pleas by Kim Kardashian West and is now a strong advocate for criminal justice reform.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/Politics/trump-rnc-preview-03-ap-llr-200821_1598043129118_hpEmbed_22x15_384.jpg\")
\"I am honored to share my story at the President's convention,\" Johnson said in a statement to ABC News. \"For those who will be listening, I hope my story reminds us all that true justice must honor and provide mercy for those caught up in the system who deserve a chance at redemption, just like the President provided for me.\"
Carl and Marsha Mueller, the parents of Kayla Mueller, a humanitarian aid worker captured and killed by ISIS, have been scheduled to speak. Her parents, who were also guests of the president at this year's State of the Union, have thanked Trump for ordering the raid that killed Kayla's captor.
Covington Catholic high schooler Nick Sandmann, whose encounter with a Native American activist at the Lincoln Memorial went viral in 2018, is also scheduled to appear. Sandmann's parents have settled defamation suits this year against CNN and The Washington Post for their coverage of the encounter.
Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the couple that went viral earlier this summer after waving their guns at Black Lives Matter protesters, are also scheduled to speak. They have since been charged with felony unlawful use of a weapon for the incident during civil rights demonstrations outside their mansion.
Speaker highlights for each night (a full list can be found here):
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
What to watch for
After 2016 saw a raucous gathering that included scenes of floor fights and controversy, the president will accept the Republican nomination Thursday on different terrain.
As the incumbent president, Trump will step onto the stage with his party ardently behind him.
Trump will be featured on each of the four days, including one day to honor doctors, nurses and other workers who are on the coronavirus pandemic front-line, sources said.
Those plans break with tradition, with the nominee typically only seen on the final night of the convention, although in the past some candidates have made appearances on the eve of their acceptance speech, including Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/Politics/trump-rnc-preview-01-gty-llr-200821_1598044238559_hpMain_4x3t_384.jpg\")
The overall theme of the convention, \"Honoring the Great American Story,\" will highlight \"the promise and greatness of America\" and Trump's \"leadership and what he has planned for the future,\" a Trump campaign official said.
Each night will also have a sub-theme: \"Land of Promise\" on Monday, \"Land of Opportunity\" on Tuesday, \"Land of Heroes\" on Wednesday and \"Land of Greatness\" on Thursday.
\"We will hear directly from every day Americans whose stories are filled with hope and patriotism,\" the campaign official said. \"This stands in stark contrast with the doom and gloom picture being painted by career politicians and Hollywood elites at the DNC convention.\"
How to watch
ABC News Live will kick off prime-time coverage each day at 7 p.m. ET on the network's streaming news channel and prime-time coverage will air from 10 to 11 p.m. ET each night of the convention on ABC.
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