President Donald Trump threatened, Monday, to pull the Republican National Convention out of North Carolina if the state’s Democratic governor Roy Cooper refused to immediately sign off on allowing a full-capacity gathering in August, when the convention is currently scheduled.
Trump said plans are being made by thousands of republicans and others to attend the convention in Charlotte and demanded an immediate answer from Cooper.
The governor’s press office issued a statement in response to the president’s request: “State health officials are working with the RNC and will review it's plans as they make decisions about how to hold the convention in Charlotte. North Carolina is relying on data and science to protect our state's public health and safety."
The City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County also issued a joint statement that said officials and other local stakeholders are continuing to plan for the RNC “while respecting national and state guidance regarding the pandemic.”“We are working with stakeholders to develop guidelines for several large events planned for Charlotte in the coming months including the RNC and anticipate providing that guidance in June.”
On “Fox and Friends” Vice President Mike Pence warned that if North Carolina didn't accelerate the reopening of its economy, the GOP might move its convention in August to a state "that is farther along on reopening and can say with confidence that, that we can gather there."
Former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory said, during his daily show on WBT Radio, the governor had three options:
The governor could say his primary concern is the health and safety of North Carolinians and that he’s unable to make the guarantees the president wants right now, McCrory said.
Cooper could leave the final decision to Mecklenburg County and Charlotte City officials or say North Carolina is open to discussions and urge that the RNC and state officials meet to work something out.