Long Island is shaping up to be a crucial battleground for November's presidential election, Rep. Anthony D'Esposito, R-N.Y., said Wednesday on Newsmax.
D'Esposito told "American Agenda" before Trump's rally at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale that Long Island could be pivotal because of the region's growing political significance.
"The energy is electric," D'Esposito said. "From coming down Hempstead Turnpike and pulling into the Coliseum to actually being on the floor, people are excited. People cannot wait to get out and start voting for President Trump and the Republican ticket."
D'Esposito pushed back against the narrative that New York, traditionally a Democrat stronghold, is not a worthy target for Republicans in a presidential race.
"People have criticized President Trump, saying, Why is he wasting his time in New York when it's not a battleground state? Well, we need to remember that New York is a battleground, and Long Island is a battleground island," he said.
"There's no question that New York is where the House majority runs through, and when President Trump is victorious in November, he's going to need that majority in the House. And that majority runs right through the Empire State."
The rally was expected to draw thousands of Trump supporters, with many arriving early to tailgate in the parking lot ahead of the 7 p.m. ET event. According to WNBC-TV in New York, "Trump mobiles" and decorated vehicles filled the area more than a day before the rally.
In the wake of increased security concerns following a second assassination attempt against Trump on Sunday while he was golfing in West Palm Beach, Florida, safety was a priority at the Long Island event.
Nassau County police and local officials, in coordination with federal authorities, implemented tight security measures for the rally, according to WNBC.
"I have the utmost confidence in the Nassau County Police Department," D'Esposito said. "County Executive [Bruce] Blakeman and [Police] Commissioner [Patrick] Ryder have been planning with our federal and local partners for over a week. This area is secure. People are having a good time. People feel safe."
A minor security scare earlier in the day briefly disrupted preparations when a person training a bomb detection dog reportedly made a false report of explosives near the Coliseum. Nassau County police detained the individual, and the situation was quickly resolved, allowing the event to proceed as planned, WNBC reported.
The rally marked Trump's first large-scale public appearance since the recent attempt on his life, further elevating the significance of the event.
"We can't wait to welcome President Trump right here to Long Island," D'Esposito said.
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Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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