WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump demanded Monday that North Carolina’s Democratic governor sign off “immediately” on allowing the Republican National Convention to move forward in August with full attendance despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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Trump’s tweets Monday about the RNC, planned for Charlotte, come just two days after the North Carolina recorded its largest daily increase in positive cases yet.
On Friday, Gov. Roy Cooper moved the state into a second phase of gradual reopening with some further loosening of restrictions on hair salons, barbers and restaurants. But he said the state must continue to closely watch virus trends and has ordered entertainment venues, gyms and bars to remain closed.
“Unfortunately, Democrat Governor, @RoyCooperNC is still in Shutdown mood & unable to guarantee that by August we will be allowed… full attendance in the Arena,” Trump tweeted Monday.
He added that Republicans “must be immediately given an answer by the Governor as to whether or not the space will be allowed to be fully occupied. If not, we will be reluctantly forced…to find, with all of the jobs and economic development it brings, another Republican National Convention site.”
Cooper’s office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the tweets.
A week ago, Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel asserted on a call with reporters that the convention slated for Aug. 24-27 would be held at least partly in person and vowed not to hold “a virtual convention.” She said at the time that the RNC has enlisted a medical adviser and that the party was consulting with the Charlotte mayor and the governor.
Several days later, during a visit to the Charlotte area, a top Trump administration health official sounded less certain. Asked about what preparations Charlotte will need to make to safely host the RNC, federal Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said increasing testing capacity will be important. However, he did not refer to a traditional in-person convention as a certainty, but rather noted that “we’re several months away from the possibility of the RNC.”
Before Monday, Cooper and Trump had yet to publicly spar during the pandemic. While Cooper has urged the federal government to help North Carolina get more testing supplies and protective gear, he’s avoided criticizing Trump by name. Trump, meanwhile, has refrained before Monday from calling out Cooper as he has other Democratic governors.
Cooper, who narrowly won election over an incumbent Republican in 2016, faces a challenge in November’s gubernatorial race from Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, who has urged a faster reopening of state businesses.
send the president to a mental asylum
Keeo fighting , Mr. President.
Meantime, get the show on road Mr. Durham.
Thr illegitimate president Hussein Obama need to be in chains.
Don’t tell us that the rogue bunch in FBI, Intelligence and Justice plotted all by themselves. Let’s get the show on the road.
No one can project what the situation will be in August. We currently have 100,000 dead and infections are on the upswing where restrictions have been lifted. It would be a fitting tribute to Trump if hundreds of convention delegates got the virus and many died because of a crowded arena.
Keep it up mr president. The best president ever! Maga2020!!
Ann Coulter called the Orange Virus ” a retard, a moron” today. His admin is in panic mode. GOP may lose the Senate. What crisis will he concoct to cancel the Election?
Why don’t they do an outdoor venue? It seems safer? Spread it out a bit
The conventions, wherever they are are going to be, will have to be limited. Also, has anyone ever noticed the pompous, windbag speakers who are called upon to announce where their delegates are going to go to be pledged to ? Instead of just stating ” (Name of state) pledges all 20 delegates to so and so” , they will go on forever with a history or geography lesson of their state, which is boring, and which is not necessary.