NEW YORK — A report of explosives outside Donald Trump’s planned rally on Long Island was bogus, officials said Wednesday.
Hours before Trump, 78, was scheduled to arrive at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, social media rumors spread about explosives being found in a car outside the arena.
“No. Ridiculous. Zero validity,” said Christopher Boyle, spokesperson for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
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Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said the rumors spread after a civilian who “may have been training a bomb detection dog…falsely reported explosives being found.” The man was detained and interrogated by police at the scene. He was not involved with the event or securing the alleged explosives.
Security was on high alert for the rally on Long Island, Trump’s first in the area since 2017. Ryder vowed that the stadium would be “the safest place in the country.”
Ryder’s promise came shortly after Secret Service agents arrested a man Sunday who was hiding on a Florida golf course where Trump was playing. Ryan Routh, 58, was carrying an SKS-style rifle with a scope and hiding in bushes near Trump, according to authorities. He has not been accused of firing any shots.
Trump’s appearance on Long Island marked a departure from common campaign strategy focusing on the expected battleground states of Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Arizona, Nevada and Wisconsin.
Heavy traffic was expected near Nassau Coliseum, with around 60,000 tickets sold to the rally, even though the arena only seats about 16,000 people. The rest were expected to watch outside on screens.
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No major streets were closed, but residents were warned to expect heavy traffic and avoid the Hempstead Turnpike, Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Earle Ovington Blvd. and Glenn Curtiss Blvd.
Schools in the area also planned to close early. With doors to the rally opening at 3 p.m., next-door Hofstra University said all classes after 1 p.m. would be held remotely.
Nassau Community College canceled all classes after 2 p.m., while Kellenberg High School was remote all day.
Trump wasn’t expected at the arena until 7 p.m. at the earliest.
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