Update: July 25, 2:28 p.m. ET:
Politico reports that the FBI is investigating the email hack: “The FBI is investigating a cyber intrusion involving the DNC and are working to determine the nature and scope of the matter. A compromise of this nature is something we take very seriously, and the FBI will continue to investigate and hold accountable those who pose a threat in cyberspace.”
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The Republican National Convention had barely come to a close on Friday (July 22) when WikiLeaks released nearly 19,252 emails—some of which suggest that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) actively worked against presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders, calling him an interloper who would never beat now-presumptive nominee Secretary Hillary Clinton. The Sanders camp has long charged the party with aligning with the Clinton campaign.
By yesterday (July 24), party chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz resigned her post. She issued the following statement, per The New York Times:
I know that electing Hillary Clinton as our next president is critical for America’s future. I look forward to serving as a surrogate for her campaign in Florida and across the country to ensure her victory. Going forward, the best way for me to accomplish those goals is to step down as party chair at the end of this convention.
The party’s communications director, Luis Miranda, tweeted that DNC vice chair Donna Brazile would step in as interim committee chair. It was then announced that Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (D-OH) would be the permanent convention chair. She issued the following statement, thanking Clinton campaign officials for nominating her for the post:
.@RepMarciaFudge named Chair of the #DemConvention — #OHDEMS will be front and center this week!#DemsInPhilly pic.twitter.com/busiCDYLR4
— Ohio Dems (@OHDems) July 23, 2016
Today (July 25) marks the start of the Democratic National Convention, which will run through Thursday (July 28) in Philadelphia. Clinton got a jump on the gathering on Saturday (July 23), when she introduced the nation to Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), her pick for vice president. Kaine, a former civil rights attorney, addressed a Miami crowd in English and Spanish, saying, “Do you want a ‘you’re fired’ president or a ‘you’re hired’ president?” he said. “Do you want a ‘me first’ president or a ‘kids and families first’ president?” Watch the full speech below.
The convention will kick off with big speeches tonight from First Lady Michelle Obama and Senators Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker and Bernie Sanders.
*Note: Post updated to reflect that Brazile is the interim Democratic National Committee chair, and Fudge is the permanant Democratic National Convention chair.