Police Warn Of Heavy Traffic Ahead Of Donald Trump Rally At Nassau Coliseum

UNIONDALE, NY — Police warned residents on Tuesday ahead of a rally for former president Donald Trump at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum that the surrounding area would be congested.

In a news release Tuesday morning, Nassau police advised motorists and residents to "expect heavier than usual traffic" on Wednesday at around 3 p.m. "in the vicinity of" the Coliseum. Streets expected to be congested included between Hempstead Turnpike, Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Earle Ovington Boulevard, and Glen Curtiss Boulevard.

"Motorists should expect delays and use alternate routes when possible," officials said.

The 45th president is expected to deliver remarks starting at 7 p.m., with the doors opening at 3 p.m.

In an invite from the Nassau GOP, prospective attendees were urged, "Let's show President Trump that Nassau County is all in to 'Make America Great Again' with a huge crowd."

In an announcement last week, Nassau GOP Chairman Joseph Cairo said the committee is "very excited" about Trump's visit.

"We're excited that what is considered a blue state, that the president would come to a blue state," he said, noting that New York is Trump's home state. "There is a lot of excitement out there."

The phones at GOP headquarters, as well as the cell phones of elected officials like Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino did not stop ringing after the announcement was made.

"There is just enthusiasm throughout the entire county," Cairo added.

In 2020, Trump and Mike Pence won Suffolk County by only 232 votes, while President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took Nassau by nearly 10 points, or 70,000 votes, Politico reported.

Jerry Barmash contributed additional reporting to this story.