Rep. Ryan Zinke of Montana is bringing the first night of the Republican National Convention to a close. Zinke - a former Navy SEAL - was part of the Republican National Convention's tribute to the military. Also emphasized was Donald Trump's campaign pledge to "Make America Safe Again."
Zinke is blaming Democrat Hillary Clinton - a former secretary of state - for many of the country's security challenges. He says that in a Donald Trump administration, "If we go to war, we'll go to war to win."
The congressman spoke to a largely empty hall as the program ran late and most of the crowd left after Melania Trump's speech.
Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst is a rising star in the Republican Party, and on Monday night, she delivered a tribute to veterans at the GOP national convention in Cleveland. Ernst and Zinke of were joined on the stage by nearly a dozen former members of the military.
Ernst had Democrat Hillary Clinton in mind when she said the country can't afford four more years of what the senator calls a "lack of leadership."
As the political world focuses on the Republican National Convention, Clinton is criticizing Donald Trump for what she says is his "dangerous, reckless approach" to the presidency. She says in a CBS interview that Trump has "no self-discipline, no self-control, no sense of history, no understanding of the limits of the kind of power that any president should impose upon himself."
Clinton is trying to make the case that Trump is offering "simplistic, easy answers" that appeal to people who are anxious and fearful.
As for Trump, he drew cheers as he took the stage to introduce his wife, Melania, before her remarks to the delegates.
The candidate made only brief comments, telling the crowd in Cleveland: "We're going to win, we're going to win so big."
Trump is expected to return to Manhattan late Monday and then travel back to Cleveland Wednesday afternoon. He's set to deliver his acceptance speech Thursday night to close out the convention.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
