CHICAGO (NewsNation) — As the Democratic National Convention kicks off Monday in Chicago, President Joe Biden is preparing to give a key speech that is expected to feature his administration’s accomplishments, Democratic priorities and handing over the party to Vice President Kamala Harris.
However, while all eyes are on Biden, Harris and vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, tens of thousands of demonstrators have already taken to the streets protesting the convention.
Protesters rallied Sunday in the heart of the Windy City, most of them demanding Democrats end their support for Israel and its war in Gaza.
Thousands of Chicago police are standing by to keep protests peaceful and away from DNC events.
Biden’s evolving Harris campaign role
Biden is expected to take the podium Monday night, but he won’t be doing so as the Democratic Party’s nominee. The president dropped out of the 2024 election last month after tremendous pressure from delegates in his own party.
The same day that he announced the end of his campaign, Harris stepped into the spotlight to declare her presidential run.
Biden’s speech Monday is expected to tie Harris to the Biden administration’s accomplishments, which the president touts as the infrastructure bill, the Inflation Reduction Act and a reduction in the costs of key prescription drugs for those on Medicare.
“She is going to make one hell of a president,” Biden said.
Biden paints Trump as democracy risk
Biden is also expected to continue to make a case for democracy, claiming that a second Donald Trump presidency would put Democratic norms at risk.
It’s a message that Harris has yet to lean into on the campaign trail.
However, many Democratic leaders who lobbied publicly and behind closed doors to pressure Biden to step aside from his campaign will be in attendance as the president speaks. Biden will have to work to resonate with those delegates.
For Harris, she will have to continue to distinguish herself with her own set of new policies while still owning the Biden-Harris accomplishments. This is expected to be a challenge in itself for the presidential hopeful.
Who else is speaking Monday?
More than 50,000 attendees are expected to visit Chicago, with at least 5,000 delegates expected in attendance.
Convention organizers have a lot to fit in the prime time of the four days in addition to the presidential and vice presidential nomination acceptance speeches. Organizers have even gone as far as to assign themes for each night.
Monday’s theme is “For the People.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is slated to welcome Democrats to the convention and is expected to talk about Democrats’ efforts across key Midwestern states Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Members of the DNC committee said at a new briefing Monday morning that speakers will include former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; United Auto Workers Union President Shawn Fain; Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, D-NY; Rep. Jaime Raskin, D-Md.; Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas; Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y.; Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga.; Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear; and Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del.
Also speaking will be people affected by abortion bans states enacted after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.
