Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended1568349281

Democratic debate: Protesters interrupt Joe Biden during his closing segment

10 presidential hopefuls took to the stage in Houston

Andrew Buncombe
Houston, Texas
,Clark Mindock
Friday 13 September 2019 03:25 BST
Comments
The Democratic debate: a wrap-up video

Your support helps us to tell the story

My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.

Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.

Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond

Head shot of Eric Garcia

Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

The leading 10 candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination took to the debating stage, bringing heavyweights in the field Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders all on to the same stage for the first time.

The presidential hopefuls tackled healthcare, gun control, education and more, with several heated clashes between the rivals.

In the last section of the debate, former Vice President Biden was interrupted when he went to answer a question about his “most significant professional setback”.

Although it was unclear what the protest was about, people in the hall have said the demonstrators chanted: “We are DACA recipients. Our lives are at risk.”

Earlier in the debate Mr Biden had been questioned about deportations under the Barack Obama administration, a question which he deftly dodged.

He came under particular fire from Julian Castro, both over who could claim the mantle of being the true successor to Barack Obama and, controversially, over Mr Biden's memory.

Beto O'Rourke focused on gun violence and said he would institute a mandatory buyback scheme for assault rifles, saying: "Hell yes, we are going to take your AR-15s."

Tonight’s candidates were: Mr Biden, Ms Warren, Mr Sanders Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg, Julian Castro, Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Beto O’Rourke, and Andrew Yang.

Catch-up on events as they happened below.

Please allow a moment for our liveblog to load

1568336998

Warren says that "we have a Congress that is beholden to the gun industry", and says that Congress needs to roll back the filibuster.

Clark Mindock13 September 2019 02:09
1568337013

Warren says corruption is the reason there is no movement on gun control, and calls to eliminate the filibuster.

Clark Mindock13 September 2019 02:10
1568337124

Sanders says "What we are looking at is a corrupt political system."

He says he "will not be intimidated by the NRA".

Clark Mindock13 September 2019 02:12
1568337240

Biden says that comparing the Obama administration to the Trump administration on immigration is "outrageous".

He says that he is "proud to have served" with Obama, citing DACA and other measures that were taken.

Clark Mindock13 September 2019 02:14
1568337304

Biden has dodged the question on whether he is willing to say the Obama administration made a mistake by its record of deportations.

He said the president made the best choices he could. Then, when asked if he did the best he could, he said: "I am the vice president".

Clark Mindock13 September 2019 02:15
1568337348

"He wants to take credit for Obama's work but not have to answer any questions," Castro says of Biden.

Clark Mindock13 September 2019 02:15
1568337400

"I stand with Barack Obama all eight years. Good, bad, and indifferent," Biden says.

Clark Mindock13 September 2019 02:16
1568337589

Yang says his father grew up as a peanut farmer in Asia in a home with no floor, and that he is now running for president. His point being that his story is the best kind of American immigrant story.

Clark Mindock13 September 2019 02:19
1568337664

Buttigieg says that the only people who buy into Donald Trump's hatred of immigrants are people "who don't know any".

Clark Mindock13 September 2019 02:21
1568337716

Buttigieg says his city, South Bend, is growing right now because of immigrants.

Clark Mindock13 September 2019 02:21

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in