Trump's Phoenix rally to see backers, protests

In this Jan. 26, 2016 file photo, then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is joined by Joe Arpaio, the sheriff of metro Phoenix, at a campaign event in Marshalltown, Iowa.
In this Jan. 26, 2016 file photo, then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is joined by Joe Arpaio, the sheriff of metro Phoenix, at a campaign event in Marshalltown, Iowa.

PHOENIX -- The nation's political split over President Donald Trump is expected to be on full display today as backers of the Republican president flood into the Phoenix Convention Center and police brace for protests from opponents outside.

The rally organized by the Trump campaign will also be a test of the president's support from his base and from elected Arizona Republicans, some of whom won't show up because of the possible damage he can do to their own political standing. Outside the convention center, opponents and Democratic leaders plan to hold protests and marches to highlight opposition to Trump's immigration policies, his remarks last week about an Aug. 12 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va., and his possible plans to pardon former Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Among those not planning to attend the rally is Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, whose spokesman said he instead plans to meet the president at the Phoenix airport and then oversee security.

But Ducey's own top law enforcement officer, Department of Public Safety Director Frank Milstead, said Monday that state resources will mainly be on standby as a "backstop" in case Phoenix police need to call them in.

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Other top Republicans who either will not attend or are not expected to show up are the state's two senators, John McCain and Jeff Flake. Both have been targets of the president's wrath.

Of the state's five GOP House members, three say they will definitely attend -- Trent Franks, Andy Biggs and Paul Gosar. Reps. David Schweikert and Martha McSally have not responded to requests seeking information on whether they will attend.

Meanwhile, one of the state's four Democratic House members plans to lead a Trump protest and a second plans to meet with Trump opponents before the event.

At a Monday media briefing on security arrangements, Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams said her officers will support free speech but that criminal conduct will draw a swift law enforcement response. Police plan to establish buffer zones between competing factions to limit the possibility of violent clashes.

Mayor Greg Stanton repeated his belief that Trump should postpone the rally to allow time for the country to heal and move beyond Charlottesville but said he was "under no illusion that the president will take my advice." He said he was expecting tens of thousands of people downtown but added that's not unusual for the city.

"As mayor of the city of Phoenix, I'm expecting you to be civil, respectful and peaceful," Stanton said. "I will assure that we are well, well prepared."

Carlos Garcia of Puente Arizona, an immigrant-rights group, said protesters will meet this afternoon and march from a downtown park to the Phoenix Convention Center. Activists protested several of Trump's Arizona visits, at one point last year blocking a major road that led to a rally he held in Fountain Hills, a Phoenix suburb.

The groups oppose Trump's possible pardon of Arpaio, who was convicted of misdemeanor contempt of court this year. Trump told Fox News that he was seriously considering a pardon. Besides speculation about a possible pardon, there is talk of a possible Trump endorsement of former state Sen. Kelli Ward in her primary challenge to Flake.

Information for this article was contributed by Astrid Galvan, Josh Hoffner and Jacques Billeaud of The Associated Press.

A Section on 08/22/2017

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