Democratic National Convention highlights: Joe Biden defends his record in farewell keynote address

In one of the final political speeches of his political career, US President Joe Biden addressed the Democratic National Committee in Chicago, to defend his presidential record while forwarding the elevation of Vice President Kamala Harris as the next potential occupant of the White House. Harris, who made a surprise appearance on the stage even though she wasn't scheduled to speak on the first night of the convention, thanked Biden for his record as a Democrat veteran and the US president.

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President Joe Biden hailed his administration's achievements over the past four years. Speaking at the DNC, Biden defended his record in rebuilding the nation’s economy and ensuring greater equity across the board.

"I ran to rebuild the backbone of America—the middle class," Biden stated. "I made a commitment to you that I'll be president of all America, even if you didn't vote for me."

"Because of you, we had this extraordinary progress over four years," he said, while addressing the American people at the DNC.

"We went from an economic crisis to the strongest economy in the world."

Biden asserted the expanded healthcare coverage as his key achievement. "More Americans have insurance today than at any other point in American history," he noted.

"Now, diabetes patients will not have to pay $400 for insulin, but only $35. We finally beat Big Pharma on drug prices."

The US president also referred to the purported resurgence of domestic manufacturing, particularly in the semiconductor industry. 

"Companies are now investing millions of dollars in setting up chip factories here in America. This will bring hundreds of jobs," Biden said, contrasting his administration's policies with those of his predecessors. "Our Republican friends went to foreign lands to export jobs."

Biden, who has often been described as a strong supporter of labor unions, also embraced that label. "I’m the most pro-union president in the history of America, and I accept it. It's a fact because if unions do good, then we do good," he declared.

In discussing the United States' global standing, Biden expressed confidence in the country's leadership role. "Name a country in the world that doesn’t think we are leading the world," he challenged.

Biden contrasted his administration's purported success in reducing crime with the record under former President Donald Trump. 

"On Trump’s watch, the murder rate went up 30 per cent, which is the biggest in our history. During our tenure, the murder rate has decreased significantly," Biden stated.

Joe Biden said that US elections 2024 is the 'battle for very soul of America'. 

"Neo Nazis, white supremacists are so emboldened by the then president in the White House, they didn't even bother to wear their hoods," Biden said while referring to Jan 6 capitol rioters. 

Joe Biden recalled Jan 6 capital riots and said he took the office in the middle of a "one in a century pandemic."

"You cannot say you love your country when you win. There is no place for political violence in the country," Biden said. 

"The democracy must be preserved. Our best days are not behind us they are before us," he added. 

US President Joe Biden is now speaking at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago amid the roars of his supporters saying 'Thank You Joe'. 

His daughter Ashley introduced him and a teary Biden entered the stage. 

The president is addressing his own political party after its most influential members — lawmakers, donors and, according to polls, voters — forced his hand to exit the race less than a month ago.

After 50 years in public life, the speech is one of his final chances to make his case for his legacy and his view of the country.

Joe Biden’s daughter, Ashley Biden, is now speaking at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

First lady Jill Biden recounted personal stories about her husband, President Joe Biden, as a father, lawmaker and president in her speech at the Democratic National Convention.

"Joe and I have been together for almost 50 years and still, there are moments when I fall in love with him all over again,” she said, to cheers from the crowd. "Like when I handed him our baby Ashley for the first time and saw this smile that lit up his face."

She said these are moments when she is reminded of all of his accomplishments that were "in the name of something bigger than himself."

Even as thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the DNC venue in Chicago, top Democrats were quick to hail Kamala Harris's purported effort to ensure a ceasefire in Gaza. 

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez praised Vice President Kamala Harris for her tireless efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza in her remarks.

Ocasio-Cortez' sought to paint a sharp contrast between Harris' efforts to support the middle class and the policies of former president Donald Trump.

Harris is riding a historic whirlwind into the convention: her campaign has broken records for fundraising, packed arenas with supporters, and turned opinion polls in some battleground states in Democrats' favor. Polls a month ago showed Trump with a clear lead over Biden, but Harris has closed the gap both nationally and in many of the highly competitive states, including Pennsylvania, that will play a decisive role in the election.

Joe Biden is set to deliver his farewell keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

"Donald Trump fell asleep at his own trial, and when he woke up, he made his own kind of history — the first person to run for president with 34 felony convictions!" Clinton said.

The crowd at the DNC then began chanting "Lock him up!" in a stark cast from the past to the chants made by Trump's fans about Clinton during their 2016 face-off.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is speaking right now at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, eight years after she lost presidency to Donald Trump.

Kamala Harris was not scheduled to speak when she briefly took the stage to thank Joe Biden. Analysts are interpreting this act as Kamala's attempt to iron out the creases among the veteran Democrats who, despite Biden's aged appearance and increasingly fragile outlook, wanted him to continue his presidential re-run.

Kamala Harris makes surprise appearance at DNC | Reuters TV screengrab

The Democratic Convention has released excerpts of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s remarks scheduled for later today.

“I know her heart and her integrity. We both got our start as young lawyers helping children who were abused or neglected. That kind of work changes you. Those kids stay with you. Kamala carries with her the hopes of every child she protected, every family she helped, every community she served,” Clinton will say of Harris.
“So as President, she will always have our backs. She will fight to lower costs for hard-working families. Open the doors wide for good paying jobs. And, yes, she will restore abortion rights nationwide,” Clinton will say.

She will also take on former President Donald Trump.

“Just look at the candidates. Kamala cares about kids, families, and America. Donald only cares about himself,” Clinton will also say.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, thanked President Joe Biden in her first remarks at the Democratic National Convention.

"I want to kick us off by celebrating our incredible President Joe Biden," Harris said, ahead of the president’s remarks.

She thanked Biden for his "historic leadership" and said that America is "forever grateful to him."

Former US House Speaker and veteran democrat Nancy Pelosi's purported role in ensuring that Joe Biden backs out of the presidential race kicked off a storm in recent weeks. The way Kamala Harris is leading Trump in key battleground states in the polls has even vindicated Pelosi. 

It is in this background that there came reports of bad blood between Pelosi and President Joe Biden's team.

Speaking with CNN at the convention on Monday, Pelosi said her concern was always with Biden’s campaign, not with Biden personally. "Sometimes you just have to take a punch for the children," the California Democrat said.

"He made the decision for the country," Pelosi said. "My concern was not about the president, it was about his campaign."

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz is at the convention center in Chicago ahead of President Joe Biden’s remarks.

Walz will speak on the third day of the convention. US media reports said he was seen greeting people at the arena and shaking their hands.

Earlier this evening, delegates held a ceremonial vote for Walz. Vice President Kamala Harris was already officially certified as the Democratic nominee through a virtual vote earlier this month before she chose Walz to be her running mate.

Here are the themes for each night of the convention:

Aug 19: "For the People", featuring a keynote from Biden.

Aug 20: "A Bold Vision for America’s Future," with an expected speech from former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama.

Aug 21: "A Fight for Our Freedoms," with an expected speech from Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz.

Aug 22: "For Our Future," closing out with an acceptance speech from Harris.

The Democratic National Convention has started with delegates still filtering into Chicago's United Center. The gathering opened with remarks shortly after 6:30 central time by Minyon Moore, chair of the convention committee. Moore called President Biden, the evening's main speaker, a true patriot.

A Reuters video showed four protesters handcuffed by the riot police as scores of pro-Palestinian demonstrators descended to Democratic Convention in Chicago. 

Thousands of mostly peaceful pro-Palestinian protesters marched in Chicago on the opening day of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, in a show of force against the Biden administration's support for Israel in the Gaza war.

Dozens of protesters broke through part of the perimeter security fence following which the riot police came to the site, Reuters reported.

Protesters breached a portion of the fencing on the outer perimeter near the convention arena.

Chanting intensified ahead of the fence breach, as protesters reached a neighborhood park on Chicago's West Side and paused to amplify their calls for a ceasefire. Amid the noise, the crowd turned its frustration toward Vice President Kamala Harris, referring to the Democratic candidate as "Killer Kamala".