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 hanger on Thursday.

Hundreds of Trump supporters were told to park in the Isleta Amphitheater parking lot for Thursday’s rally, but KOB 4 learned it’s all off limits.

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

Garcia Richards revealed that the current lease agreement for the Isleta Amphitheater 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 has received an alert that Live Nation – the company that actually operates the amphitheater – has given unauthorized permission to use the parking lot. She says she did her job.

“This is not a political decision at all. This is about not allowing exceptions to the rule, something we very rarely do here at the Land Registry. I think people want the government to enforce the rules fairly consistently, and that’s what we’re trying to do here,” said Garcia Richard.

This isn’t the first hurdle for the Trump campaign this week. We’re told organizers first tried to secure the Albuquerque Convention Center for Thursday’s meeting, and then the Tingley Coliseum at the State Fairground, but both facilities are closed for repairs.

Despite the technical nature of the leases and infrastructure problems, Republican leaders argue this is dirty politics.

“Apparently they’re worried about a competitive force coming to town,” said state Rep. Jim Townsed. “I’ve come to expect that kind of political attitude and play in New Mexico. It’s a shame, but that won’t stop us. We will be there.”

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

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

“We’ve rejected Trump’s policies of fear, division and hate twice before, and we’re going to do it again,” said House Speaker Javier Martinez.

On Wednesday evening, Trump’s rally still starts at 10 a.m. Thursday morning. He is expected to speak outside the CSI Aviation building in Sunport.

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

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