Trump rally faces parking and space issues in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – We are less than 24 hours away from former President Trump’s trip to Albuquerque. He is expected to host a campaign rally at the Sunport Hangar on Thursday.

Hundreds of Trump supporters were told to park in the Isleta Amphitheater parking lot ahead of Thursday’s rally, but KOB 4 has learned that everything is off-limits.

“The Trump campaign, the New Mexico Republican Party, did not receive the proper permits, the proper state land use agreement, so we encourage them to find parking elsewhere. We enforce our policies. Our policy says that if you don’t have an authorized permit to use state land, you can’t use state land,” said Stephanie Garcia Richard, New Mexico Land Commissioner.

Garcia Richards disclosed that the current Isleta Amphitheater lease agreement does not allow outside organizations to use the parking lot unless the event is held at the Isleta Amphitheater.

Garcia Richard says her office received notice that Live Nation – the company that essentially runs the amphitheater – had issued an unauthorized permit to use the parking lot. She says she did her job.

“This is not a political decision at all. The idea is not to make exceptions to the rule, which we very rarely do here at the land office. “I think people want the government to be fairly consistent in enforcing the rules, and that’s what we’re trying to do here,” Garcia Richard said.

This isn’t the first setback for the Trump campaign this week. We’re told organizers first tried to secure the Albuquerque Convention Center for Thursday’s rally and then the Tingley Coliseum at the state fairgrounds, but both facilities are closed for repairs.

Despite the technicalities of the lease and infrastructure problems, GOP leaders say dirty politics are at play.

“They’re obviously afraid of a competitive force coming to town,” said state Rep. Jim Townsed. “I’m used to expecting this type of political posture and play in New Mexico. It’s unfortunate, but it won’t stop us. We will be there.”

Despite Vice President Kamala Harris’s decisive lead in New Mexico, top Democrats in New Mexico remain focused on the presidential race. During a virtual meeting Wednesday morning, they highlighted their concerns with the former president.

“We want to send a message to Donald Trump that his hate is not welcome here in New Mexico,” said Republican Melanie Stansbury.

“We have already rejected Trump’s policies of fear, division and hatred twice, and we will do so again,” House Speaker Javier Martinez said.

As of Wednesday evening, Trump’s rally is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. on Thursday. He is expected to speak outside the CSI Aviation building in Sunport.

The New Mexico Republican Party says supporters can park in three parking lots, including an airport bus lot that will be free for rally attendees. There is also a dedicated Uber and Lyft drop-off location.

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