Trump: We will move Republican convention unless crowds allowed
Party officials are adamant that the convention will be held in-person despite the health risks from coronavirus.
President Donald Trump threatened on Monday to pull the Republican National Convention out of North Carolina if the state's Democratic governor does not immediately sign off on allowing a full-capacity gathering in August despite the continuing coronavirus pandemic.
Trump's tweets about the convention, planned for Charlotte, North Carolina, come just two days after the state recorded its largest daily increase in positive cases yet.
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On Friday, Governor Roy Cooper moved the state into a second phase of gradual reopening by loosening restrictions on hair salons, barbers and restaurants. But he said the state must continue to closely watch virus trends and has ordered indoor entertainment venues, gyms and bars to remain closed for several more weeks.
"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 on 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.
In an interview on Monday on Fox News Channel's Fox and Friends, Vice President Mike Pence noted convention planning takes months and praised the reopening strides made by Texas, Florida and Georgia - all states with Republican governors.
"What you hear the president saying today is just a very reasonable request of the governor of North Carolina. We all want to be in Charlotte. We love North Carolina," Pence said. "But 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."
A week ago, Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel asserted on a call with reporters that the convention slated for August 24-27 would be held at least partly in person. She said the party enlisted a medical adviser and was consulting with the Charlotte mayor and the governor.
Several days later, during a Charlotte-area visit, a top Trump administration health official sounded less certain. Asked about preparations to safely host the convention, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said increasing testing capacity is 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". Azar also praised Cooper's moves to reopen the state.
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 has avoided criticising Trump by name. Trump, meanwhile, has largely refrained from calling out Cooper as he has other Democratic governors.