But Republicans involved in convention planning say there remains strong interest in holding the event in North Carolina, a critical swing state. They also acknowledge privately that switching the venue would pose major logistical challenges.

Nothing was decided, and one senior Republican called the situation “a mess.” Indeed, the twin developments in North Carolina and Washington signal a difficult stretch for the GOP as it tries to navigate Trump's insistence on a full-blown convention with public health concerns on the ground.

Cohen, Kelly and Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper discussed the convention during a Friday conference call, according to the letter — a positive sign for proponents of keeping the convention in North Carolina. But the two sides aren't close to agreement on what modifications might be needed because of the coronavirus.

Fueling the GOP’s angst is a perception that Cooper is unlikely to lift restrictions to accommodate them. With cases rising in the Charlotte area, Republicans say they're skeptical that the Democratic governor will allow a mass gathering.

North Carolina on May 22 entered the second phase of its reopening strategy, which still bars indoor gatherings of more than 10 people. Moreover, the state health department reported its largest spike in cases over Memorial Day weekend, threatening to push North Carolinians back inside for another weeks-long stay-at-home order.

Charlotte City Council member Malcolm Graham, who represents the city’s business district, called Republicans’ plans to host a fully attended convention “literally insane,” citing the number of attendees, vendors and volunteers it would require.

“Obviously, that’s not going to happen in Charlotte, nor would it happen in any other city that they're going to move it to,” Graham, a Democrat, said in an interview.

Fellow Council member Dimple Ajmera, also a Democrat, agreed.

“It's just absurd. To think that we are going to host 50,000 people three months from today,” she told POLITICO. “And to ask for a guarantee from the governor, that’s just unreasonable. If [Trump] wants to go somewhere else, please go ahead.”

In a four-tweet thread Monday, Trump threatened to seek another venue for the convention if Cooper doesn’t cooperate.

“Unfortunately, Democrat Governor, @RoyCooperNC is still in Shutdown mood & unable to guarantee that by August we will be allowed full attendance in the Arena,” the president wrote. “Plans are being made by many thousands of enthusiastic Republicans, and others, to head to beautiful North Carolina in August. They 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. This is not something I want to do.”

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