CLEVELAND, OHIO (MEDIA GENERAL) — The Republican National Convention officially kicks off Monday afternoon as delegates gather to ratify this year’s rules and dispense with parliamentary formalities.
Those rules, once passed, will lay out protocol and permanently kill the “Stop Trump” movement, clearing Donald Trump’s path to the 2016 GOP nomination.
Once morning business wraps up, delegates will converge on the Quicken Loans arena again in the evening to hear from Melania Trump.
RNC staff preps the stage at Quicken Loans Arena before the GOP convention begins. (Photo: Chance Seales)
The soon-to-be nominee’s model wife rarely makes public appearances, much less delivering a nationally televised keynote address.
Monday night’s theme is “Make America Safe Again,” focusing on two red meat Republican issues: Benghazi and border security.
Delegates will also hear from border patrol agents and a mother who lost a child killed by an illegal immigrant.
The evening will also feature a previously unannounced guest: Donald J. Trump.
While nominees traditionally stay away from conventions until their official nominations take place, Trump said he’ll not only show up to hear his wife speak on Monday evening but may even make a few remarks of his own.
In an unorthodox year, the RNC is already off to an unconventional start.
RNC Convention kicks off: Photos
Talk show host Stephen Colbert performs on the floor of the Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena during a taping of his program, Sunday, July 17, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., joined by his wife Janna Ryan, checks out the stage during preparation for the Republican National Convention inside Quicken Loans Arena, Sunday, July 17, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A color guard practices their routine during preparation for the Republican National Convention inside Quicken Loans Arena, Sunday, July 17, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers walk outside of Quicken Loans Arena as preparations take place for the Republican National Convention, Sunday, July 17, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
People gather at Quicken Loans Arena as preparations take place for the Republican National Convention, Sunday, July 17, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/John Locher)
A man walks outside of Quicken Loans Arena as preparations for the Republican National Convention take place, Sunday, July 17, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Workers place a sign as they prepare at Quicken Loans Arena for the Republican National Convention, Sunday, July 17, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Chairman of the Republican National Committee's Standing Committee on Arrangements Steve King, left, and Chairman of the Republican National Committee Reince Priebus pose for a photo at Quicken Loans Arena for the Republican National Convention, Sunday, July 17, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A convention logo is seen over the stage as preparations take place inside Quicken Loans Arena for the Republican National Convention, Sunday, July 17, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Cleveland city crews at work adding a patriotic touch to the parking garage outside the Quicken Loans arena where the convention is taking place. (Courtesy: Ellen Miller, Media General)
House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. smiles as he stands at the podium with wife Janna during preparations at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Sunday, July 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Comedian Stephen Colbert clowns around on the stage at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Sunday, July 17, 2016. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Media General's Alex Schuman interviewing Marco Rubio delegate Michael Hensley from Tennessee. He's one of the youngest delegates at 21-yrs-old. (Courtesy: Ellen Miller, Media General)
A crew from Nippon TV in Japan is sharing the Media General suite and doing live shots for their network at the RNC. (Courtesy: Ellen Miller, Media General)
Bob Beatty, KSNT political analyst, working from Media General's platform. (Courtesy: Ellen Miller, Media General)
Trump Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort is surrounded by reporters on the floor of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Sunday, July 17, 2016. Donald Trump's presidential campaign has hired new staffers to manage the efforts of newly named vice presidential candidate Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
RNC staff preps Cleveland stage at Quicken Loans arena before the GOP convention begins. (Photo: Chance Seales)
Preparations take place at Quicken Loans Arena for the Republican National Convention, Sunday, July 17, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/John Locher)
RNC staffers prep for the 2016 convention kickoff. (Photo: Chance Seales)
