Hillary Clinton accepted the Democratic nomination for president Thursday, capping a tumultuous four-day convention that began with the announcement of the Democratic National Committee chair’s resignation.
"It is with humility, determination, with boundless confidence for America’s promise that I accept your nomination," Clinton said on the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Clinton delivered a traditional liberal policy speech, sprinkled with criticisms of Republican nominee Donald Trump, who she argued does not have the "temperament" to serve as president. "A man you can bait with a tweet is not a man you can trust with nuclear weapons," Clinton said.
The former secretary of state advocated for raising taxes on the wealthy, gun control, debt-free college, and combating "systemic racism" in America during her remarks.
The convention was complicated by protests from dissenting Bernie Sanders supporters, whose anger at the party flared after leaked emails showed DNC officials favoring Clinton during the 2016 primary process. The release of the emails by WikiLeaks led Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D., Fla.) to step down from her post as DNC chair and precipitated an apology from party leaders.
Some Sanders backers continued to disrupt and shout during Clinton’s remarks on Thursday, though they were countered with chants from pro-Clinton forces.
Throngs of Sanders delegates staged a walkout at the convention on Tuesday after Clinton was officially declared the nominee for president. Some Sanders backers have even been attempting to orchestrate an exodus from the Democratic Party.
Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) rallied around Clinton during their speeches earlier in the week, despite shouts of protest from the convention floor.
The convention was also marred by clashes between some demonstrators and police. Ahead of President Barack Obama’s address on Wednesday night, a group of protesters broke through a security gate outside the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Seven individuals were arrested in the incident.
Much of the speculation heading into Thursday night’s primetime events hinged on whether Clinton would succeed in convincing Sanders backers and anti-Trump Republicans to support her over Trump, libertarian candidate Gary Johnson, or Green Party candidate Jill Stein. Trump has been courting Sanders enthusiasts, striking a populist tone and crediting the Vermont senator for some of his criticisms of Clinton during the primary season.
Clinton addressed Sanders supporters on Thursday night, describing their enthusiasm as crucial to implementing the party’s "progressive" platform.
"I want to thank Bernie Sanders. Bernie, your campaign inspired millions of Americans, particularly the young people who threw their hearts and souls into our primary," Clinton said. "You have put economic and social justice issues front and center where they belong. To all of your supporters here and around the country, I want you to know I heard you. Your cause is our cause."
She also attempted to appeal to voters from both sides of the political aisle, despite once naming Republicans among the enemies she is most proud of making. "I will be a president for Democrats, Republicans, Independents," Clinton said. "For all those who vote for me, and those who don’t."
Clinton was also challenged Thursday to convince voters of her trustworthiness, after an FBI investigation found that she and her aides were "extremely careless" in their use of a private, unsecured email system to handle classified government information at the State Department. Polls have consistently shown that a majority of American voters do not trust Clinton.
Clinton was introduced by her daughter Chelsea on Thursday night, who described her mother as a "role model" and a "progressive" following a performance by popstar Katy Perry, who has had a mutually beneficial relationship with Clinton’s campaign.
The convention’s primetime programs throughout the week were punctuated with several celebrity appearances, a well-received speech from first lady Michelle Obama, remarks from former president Bill Clinton, and President Obama’s address, which largely focused on accomplishments of his own administration and a rebuke of Trump.
Some military and defense officials participated in the convention to sound alarm over Trump’s foreign policy positions, which have been a source of contention among some conservatives and Republican lawmakers. Retired Marine Corps General John Allen, former commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, on Thursday said Trump would lead America to a "dark place of discord and fear."
"America will defeat ISIS and protect the homeland. America will honor our treaty obligations. We will lead and strengthen NATO and the Atlantic alliance," Allen, flanked by several veterans, affirmed.
Remarks from Allen, as well as those from former secretary of defense Leon Panetta and retired Rear Admiral John Hutson on Wednesday, were met with angry chants of "No more war!" from the crowd.
Polls have shown Clinton and Trump neck-and-neck in the race for the presidency among voters nationwide, with the Republican candidate getting a slight boost from the Republican National Convention last week.