ALBUQUERQUE, NM – 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 for Thursday’s rally, but KOB 4 learned that was all off limits.

“The Trump campaign, the Republican Party of New Mexico, did not obtain the proper permits and contract to use this state land, so we encourage them to find parking elsewhere. “We enforce our rules. Our rules say you cannot use state land unless you have an authorized permit to use state land,” said New Mexico State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard.

Garcia Richards revealed that the current Isleta Amphitheater lease does not allow outside events to use the parking lot if the event is not being held at the Isleta Amphitheater.

Garcia Richard says her office received a warning that Live Nation — the company that essentially runs the amphitheater — had issued unauthorized permission to use the parking lot. She says she did her job.

“This is not a political decision at all. The point is not to grant an exception to a rule, which we very rarely do here at the land registry. I think people want the government to enforce the rules somewhat consistently, and that’s what we’re trying to do here,” Garcia Richard said.

This isn’t the first hurdle the Trump campaign has faced this week. We’ve learned that 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 lease’s technical details and infrastructure problems, Republican leaders argue that dirty politics is at play here.

“Apparently they are afraid of competition coming to town,” said Rep. Jim Townsed. “I expect this type of political stance and style of play in New Mexico. It’s unfortunate, but that won’t stop us. We’ll be there.”

New Mexico’s top Democrats are still focused on the presidential race despite Vice President Kamala Harris’ strong lead in New Mexico. They expressed their concerns about the former president during a virtual meeting Wednesday morning.

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

“We have rejected Trump’s politics of fear, division and hate twice before, and we will do it again,” said House Speaker Javier Martinez.

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

The Republican Party of New Mexico says supporters will be able to park in three lots, and that includes the airport shuttle lot, which will be free for rally attendees. There is also a dedicated drop-off location for Uber and Lyft.

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