Thousands of people converged on Long Island Wednesday afternoon for former President Donald Trump's rally at the Nassau Coliseum, his first large-scale event following a second apparent attempt on his life over the weekend.
There was a brief scare earlier in the day, as Nassau County police said a person who may have been training a bomb detection dog near the Coliseum falsely reported explosives being found. That person was detained by police.
Security was understandably tight at the arena for the rally that comes just days after a Secret Service agent spotted a rifle poking out of the bushes outside Trump's golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, as he played, according to officials. The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, had been in the vicinity for nearly 12 hours, according to a criminal complaint.
Routh was taken into custody later Sunday and charged with federal gun crimes. On Long Island, Nassau County police said they swept the area outside the Coliseum and have snipers in place to react.
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"My biggest concern is, we got high buildings. You got the Omni building, you got the Marriott behind me, you got the power plant here, you got across the street. You got the EAA building and you also have Sloan Kettering — we have them covered," said Nassau County Police Commissioner Pat Ryder.
The Trump campaign made general admission tickets available to the public for Wednesday's rally, with doors opening at 3 p.m., though people were advised to arrive hours earlier to ensure a spot inside. Gates opened around 8 a.m.
In what looked like a pre-game tailgate, Trump supporters set up early outside the Coliseum with flags, hats and posters in preparation for the rally.
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"I’ve waited for this for almost a decade to be with Donald Trump," said Nancy Valentine, of Port Washington.
Those looking to attend the rally needed to register online for tickets. A spokesperson for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said they got 60,000 requests for tickets. Only about 15,000 people were allowed inside. Anyone turned away at the door would be able to watch the rally on large screens outside of the venue.
The former president was greeted by a capacity crowd inside the Coliseum later in the evening, addressing his supporters for more than 90 minutes.
Traffic was expected to be very heavy in the area around the Coliseum, and Blakeman advised anyone who did not have to be in the area to avoid it through Wednesday night.
Nassau County police are among the law enforcement agencies securing the rally, with federal agencies including the Secret Service in control of security, said Blakeman.
Officials have promised to put all their resources, including specialized units, to assist the Secret Service in securing Trump and his supporters. Nassau Police will have emergency services, the mounted unit and aviation assisting the FBI.
Tricked-out Trump-mobiles started filling the parking lots more than a full day ahead of the rally, pulling out chairs and tailgating to bide their time until the 7 p.m. event.
Outside the Coliseum, a group representing Haitian Americans denounced the baseless comments Trump and vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance have pushed recently about migrants eating stolen cats and dogs in Ohio.
"The rhetoric is very dangerous, people can die. My niece and nephew have been bullied when they go to school now," said Magalie Theodore, of Elmont.
Aside from a few hecklers, the counter protesters remained peaceful.
The rally also came just over a week after the former president met his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, for the first time at a debate in Philadelphia and with just 48 days until Election Day.
The FBI is investigating the apparent assassination attempt.
