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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

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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

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O'Rourke calls on harmonising America's entry exit programme at the border.

He also speaks at length in Spanish, drawing cheers.

Clark Mindock13 September 2019 02:24
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Clark Mindock13 September 2019 02:27
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"President Trump has pursued an arbitrary and haphazard trade policy that has had victims on both sides," Andrew Yang says.

Clark Mindock13 September 2019 02:31
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"The president clearly has no strategy," Buttigieg says.

Clark Mindock13 September 2019 02:31
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"This is a moment when American leadership is needed more than ever," Buttigieg says.

Clark Mindock13 September 2019 02:32
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Klobuchar claims that Trump does not have a "focused tariffs" programme, says the president is going to bankrupt the US like his casinos.

Clark Mindock13 September 2019 02:33
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"In North Korea, this president is elevating a dictator," says Castro.

Clark Mindock13 September 2019 02:36
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"I want to negotiate trade with unions at the table, I want to negotiate with small farmers at the table," Warren says.

Clark Mindock13 September 2019 02:37
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"I am not a protectionist Democrat. We need to sell our stuff," Harris says.

Clark Mindock13 September 2019 02:39
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Harris has compared Donald Trump to the little man behind the curtain in the Wizard of Oz.

Clark Mindock13 September 2019 02:40

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