CHARLOTTE, N.C. – President Donald Trump is threatening to move the Republican National Convention from Charlotte if Gov. Cooper doesn’t ease some restrictions in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 by the time the event rolls around.
An estimated 50,000 people are expected to be in the Queen City for the event scheduled to be held August 24 through August 27 at the Spectrum Center in the heart of Uptown. The president says he wants to see the venue at full capacity. Trump's tweets about the upcoming RNC in Charlotte come two days after North Carolina's largest daily increase in virus cases yet.
On a call with volunteers in North Carolina two weeks ago GOP chairwoman Ronna McDaniel spoke about preparations. She said they had hired a health security official to help with planning.
Gov. Cooper's office released a statement in response to the president.
North Carolina moved into Phase 2 of reopening Friday. This phase is expected to last until the end of June.
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Vice President Mike Pence said Monday on Fox News Channel that convention planning takes months and suggested a state that's loosened more restrictions could host. He praised reopenings in Texas, Florida and Georgia -- all states with Republican governors.
Calling Trump's remarks “a very reasonable request," Pence told Fox that "having a sense now is absolutely essential because of the immense preparations that are involved, and we look forward to working with Governor Cooper, getting a swift response and, if needs be, if needs be, moving the national convention to a state that is farther along on reopening and can say with confidence that we can gather there.”
Changing sites would be difficult for reasons including the contract between GOP officials and Charlotte leaders to hold the convention there. In April, the City Council voted to accept a $50 million federal grant for convention security. Before the vote, City Attorney Patrick Baker noted the overall contract requires parties to follow applicable laws and regulations, including Cooper's executive orders. Cooper’s current order limits indoor gatherings to 10 people. Baker said then that GOP officials had discussed convention alternatives but did not elaborate.
Charlotte's mayor, Vi Lyles also weighed in on the matter via Twitter.
Before Monday, Cooper and Trump had displayed little friction during the pandemic. While Cooper has urged the federal government to provide more testing supplies and protective gear, he's avoided criticizing Trump by name. Trump, meanwhile, has largely refrained from calling out Cooper as he has other Democratic governors.
Cooper narrowly beat an incumbent Republican in 2016 while Trump won the state. In this year's gubernatorial election, Cooper faces Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, who has urged a faster reopening of businesses.