Trump chooses Pence for VP

Donald Trump has chosen Indiana Gov. Mike Pence to be his running mate, he announced in a tweet Friday morning.

{mosads}The presumptive GOP presidential nominee originally planned to unveil his choice Friday morning in New York City, but he canceled the event after the deadly attack in France late Thursday.

Trump will introduce Pence in his new role at a news conference Saturday morning, he said on Twitter. The Saturday event will be in Bedminster, N.J., according to CNN.

Pence responded on Twitter 45 minutes after Trump’s tweet, writing: “Honored to join @realDonaldTrump and work to make America great again.”

I am pleased to announce that I have chosen Governor Mike Pence as my Vice Presidential running mate. News conference tomorrow at 11:00 A.M.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 15, 2016

Honored to join @realDonaldTrump and work to make America great again. https://t.co/J8esm9LU6g

— Mike Pence (@mike_pence) July 15, 2016

Trump’s VP selection comes just two days before the Republican National Convention, which kicks off Monday in Cleveland. 

Multiple media outlets reported Thursday that Trump had chosen Pence. Trump told Fox News on Thursday night that he had not made a “final, final decision” yet. 

Trump senior aide Paul Manafort said Friday morning on the network, “I think Mr. Trump has reached a decision, but he isn’t prepared to announce it.”

Trump’s shortlist was believed to include Pence, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Pence officially withdrew his gubernatorial candidacy with the Indiana Secretary of State’s office on Friday just after 11 a.m.

He faced a deadline of noon Friday to withdraw from the ballot. Indiana law does not allow a candidate to run for both federal and state office, so Pence could not run for reelection and for vice president at the same time.

Presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s campaign immediately attacked Trump’s pick, calling Pence “the most extreme pick in a generation.”

“By picking Mike Pence as his running mate, Donald Trump has doubled down on some of his most disturbing beliefs by choosing an incredibly divisive and unpopular running mate known for supporting discriminatory politics and failed economic policies that favor millionaires and corporations over working families,” campaign head John Podesta said in a statement.

Updated at 11:39 a.m.