CLEVELAND — Donald Trump formally accepted the Republican nomination for president Thursday, promising to "completely rebuild our depleted military" and to take care of veterans "like they've never been taken care of before."
The business mogul also vowed that as commander in chief, he would end America's "international humiliation" at the hands of Democrats.
"Hillary Clinton’s legacy does not have to be America’s legacy," Trump told a wildly applauding crowd at the GOP convention herein Cleveland. "The problems we face now – poverty and violence at home, war and destruction abroad – will last only as long as we continue relying on the same politicians who created them.
"A change in leadership is required to change these outcomes."
Trump, a political outsider who upset a host of party establishment candidates in the Republican primary, promised to continue upending the country's political elites.
"I am with you, I will fight for you and I will win for you," he said.
He also vowed to "make America great again" by rebuilding the military and securing the borders.
"I have joined the political arena so that the powerful can no longer beat up on people that cannot defend themselves," Trump said. "Nobody knows the system better than me, which is why I alone can fix it. I have seen firsthand how the system is rigged against our citizens."
Earlier in the evening, his daughter Ivanka introduced the unlikely nominee as a candidate who can produce real political change, stating that in the election this year "we have a chance this year to reclaim our heritage as a country that dreams big and makes the impossible happen."
But Trump's address was largely darker and more pessimistic about the state of the country. He blasted President Barack Obama for leading the nation into "domestic disaster" and referred to multiple humiliations troops and veterans have endured.
"The attacks on our police, and the terrorism in our cities, threaten our very way of life," he said. "Any politician who does not grasp this danger is not fit to lead our country."
Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump speaks on the final day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, on July 21.
Photo Credit: Mark J. Terrill/AP
He labeled Clinton's tenure as secretary of state as a legacy of "death, destruction, terrorism and weakness."
Trump repeated his often-quoted promise to "build a great border wall" to stop illegal immigration, but also outlined several policies to protect the country from international terrorism.
They included rebuilding the country's international intelligence gathering, abandoning "the failed policy of nation building and regime change" that he accused his Democratic rival of supporting, and suspending immigration from "any nation that has been compromised by terrorism."
Critics have accused Trump of racism and unrealistic expectations for that plan, noting that his vague guidelines could bar travel from countries like England and France.
But conservatives have rallied around Trump's immigration promises, calling them necessary steps to ensure America's future. Several speakers on the convention's final night promised the country will "rise from the ashes" of its current state under new, non-Democratic leadership.
Trump also attacked Clinton on her veterans policy, calling her "out of touch" with what he called the disaster that is the current Department of Veterans Affairs, and promising better care for vets. we will take care of our great veterans like they have never been taken care of before."
"We will guarantee those who serve this country will be able to visit the doctor or hospital of their choice without waiting in line or dying," he said.
Republican speakers all week have hammered Clinton for not referencing the threat of radical Islamic terrorism enough, especially in light of attacks carried out inside the U.S. nited States by Islamic State group sympathizers.
Trump repeated that attack, and warned that "the damage and devastation that can be inflicted by Islamic radicals" could threaten more communities under a Clinton presidency.
National polls show a close contest between the two candidates, with Trump receiving a slight boost in recent days after nationwide focus on his campaign and the Republican Party platform.
The Democratic National Convention begins next Monday in Philadelphia. Clinton is expected to deliver her national address on July 28.
Leo Shane III covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He can be reached at lshane@militarytimes.com.
