Trump Campaign Rally In 'Direct Violation' Of Nevada's Coronavirus Restrictions, Authorities Confirm

President Donald Trump violated Nevada’s coronavirus restrictions by hosting a rally indoors Sunday night despite objections from the state and concerns of the possible spread of COVID-19.

Trump held his first indoor rally in three months at a manufacturing plant in Henderson, Nev., located just outside Las Vegas. Thousands of attendees gathered closely inside the venue for the first indoor rally since Trump's ill-fated June appearance in Oklahoma.

Officials in Henderson issued a compliance letter and gave a verbal warning to the rally’s organizers before the event, USA Today reported. Kathleen Richards, a spokesperson for the city, said gatherings of more than 50 people were prohibited.

Trump also spoke at a large event Saturday to a mostly mask-less crowd tightly packed together inside the Minden-Tahoe airport. During his 90-minute rally, he accused Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D), who called the president’s decision to host the rally “selfish and reckless," of trying to block his presidential campaign. He also repeated his claim that voting by mail could “taint the election result.”

“This is the guy we are entrusting with millions of ballots, unsolicited ballots, and we’re supposed to win these states. Who the hell is going to trust him?” Trump said of Gov. Sisolak. “The only way the Democrats can win the election is if they rig it.”

Trump defended his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed the lives of more than 196,000 Americans. He also blamed Democratic governors for hurting his election chances by slowing down reopening.

“If the governor’s directives are not followed," she said, "the city may assess a fine of up to $500 per violation as well as suspend or revoke the business license."

In response, the Trump campaign said attendees would have their temperatures checked. They would also be provided and encouraged to wear a mask.

Mike Gwin, a spokesman for former Vice President Joe Biden, said Trump did not care about curbing the virus and protecting the people’s safety. Andrew Bates, an aide to the Democratic presidential nominee, said Trump’s indoor event reflected the “toxic attitude” that led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans and killed millions of jobs due to the pandemic.

Trump originally planned to hold a 5,000-person event at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, but airport officials said the event could not proceed as it would violate the state's emergency directive.