Republican National Convention: Trump Threatens To Pull Gathering From North Carolina Unless Coronavirus Restrictions Lifted

President Trump Monday threatened to yank the Republican National Convention from Charlotte, North Carolina, unless the state’s Democratic governor allows “full attendance” at the Spectrum Center come August despite the coronavirus pandemic.

“This is not something I want to do,” Trump tweeted, at the same time complaining the state still is in “shutdown mood.”

Gov. Roy Cooper has eased North Carolina’s stay-at-home order but still is urging caution. The modified order limits nonessential businesses to 50% capacity and requires social distancing.

“We will continue working with health experts and the private sector as we work to defeat COVID-19,” Cooper said. There is no firm date on lifting all restrictions.

The convention is scheduled for Aug. 24-27.

Trump has been pushing states to reopen their economies fully despite the continuing rise in cases and federal guidelines that outline how to reopen safely. As of late morning Monday, some 97,800 Americans had died from COVID-19.

Trump complained Cooper would not guarantee the arena could be fully occupied by late August.

Cooper tweeted back the state would rely on “data and science” to determine how the convention can proceed.

Vice President Mike Pence told Fox News it takes months to plan a convention and indicated sites in Texas, Florida or Georgia might be better since those states have fully reopened.

“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.”

Republican National Committee spokesman Steve Guest told Fox News the party remains committed Charlotte but conceded an alternative might need to be considered.

“The RNC wants to hold a full in-person convention in Charlotte, but we need the governor to provide assurances that it can occur," Guest said. "We will need some answers sooner rather than later, or we will be forced to consider other options.”