Gov. Josh Shapiro criticizes Trump, calls Democrats “party of real freedom” on Night 3 of DNC

CHICAGO (CBS) — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro addressed the Democratic National Convention Wednesday in Chicago, calling Democrats the “party of real freedom.” 

He noted that 250 years ago, “in Philadelphia, a band of patriots declared their independence from a king – and set ourselves on a path of self-determination.” 

He called former President Donald Trump “a man with no guardrails.”

“While [Trump] cloaks himself in the blanket of freedom, what he’s offering isn’t freedom at all,” Shapiro said.

“Because it’s not freedom to tell our children what books they’re allowed to read,” Shapiro said, adding that “it’s not freedom to tell women what they can do with their bodies … it sure as hell isn’t freedom to say you can go vote, but he gets to pick the winner.” 

See Shapiro’s full DNC speech:

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz delivered the keynote address as he officially accepted the Democratic vice presidential nomination. 

Other speakers Wednesday included former President Bill Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

The theme for Day 3 of the DNC was “A Fight for Our Freedoms.” The Democratic Party highlighted how Vice President Kamala Harris will protect Americans’ freedoms and portrayed Trump as a threat to freedom. 

Harris will officially accept the Democratic nomination Thursday night, the final day of the convention.

Shapiro was a top contender for Harris’ running mate before she selected Walz. The Pennsylvania governor released a statement shortly after the announcement earlier this month, calling Walz a “strong addition to the ticket.”

Harris and Walz held their first campaign event together at Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, where the Minnesota governor told the crowd, “Pennsylvania, I know you know this, but my God, what a treasure you have in Josh Shapiro.”

At the Aug. 6 event in North Philadelphia, Shapiro also told the crowd, “I love being your governor.”