It's official: Donald Trump announces Mike Pence as VP

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee tweeted the pick Friday morning.

Trump scheduled a news conference Saturday at 11 a.m.

Reports came out as early as Thursday morning that Pence would be his choice, but Trump did not officially announce the choice until his tweet Friday.

Trump made the offer and Pence accepted Thursday afternoon, before the governor traveled to New York, the Republican said. The announcement had been planned for Friday morning in midtown Manhattan, but Trump delayed his plans after the truck attack in Nice, France, that left more than 80 people dead.

The staunchly conservative Pence, who is 57, served six terms in Congress before being elected governor and could help Trump navigate Capitol Hill. He's well-regarded by evangelical Christians, particularly after signing a law that critics said would have allowed businesses to deny service to gay people for religious reasons.

The billionaire said in a series of television interviews Thursday night that he'd not yet settled on a "final, final" choice, leaving open the possibility the unpredictable presumptive nominee could change his mind.

Trump's prospective choice of Pence as his running mate adds political experience - and a dose of unflappability - to the Republican presidential ticket.

Pence would be a reliably conservative No. 2 with a calm demeanor and deep ties to Washington. His apparent selection signals Trump is serious about addressing GOP concerns about his own conservative credentials and lack of Washington experience.

Trump also seriously considered offering the running mate post to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, according to people familiar with the process.

In a brief interview with The Associated Press Friday morning, Gingrich said he had still not been told by Trump that he would not be the choice.

After spending much of Thursday in Indianapolis, Pence flew to New York. Local television stations posted video showing him arriving at a private airport outside New York and then entering a hotel.

Trump has little time to re-schedule his announcement. The Republican convention kicks off in Cleveland Monday.

Top party officials are already in Cleveland, where a committee voted late Thursday to rebuff a push to let delegates vote for any presidential candidate they'd like. It was a major blow to Republican foes of Trump who have been working to try to thwart his nomination.

Pence would have the backing of GOP leaders and ease some of their concerns about Trump's political inexperience and volatile temperament.

Pence also has influential allies in Trump's inner circle. But some of Trump's children, who have been closely advising their father, were said to favor different candidates.

Source: AFP