PHOENIX (AP) – The nation’s political split over President Donald Trump is expected to be on full display Tuesday as hard-core 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 among his base and 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 protests and marches designed to highlight opposition to Trump’s immigration policies, he remarks last week about an Aug. 12 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and his possible plans to pardon former Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
Among those not planning to attend the rally by the titular head of the national Republican Party is Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, whose spokesman said he instead plans to meet the president at the Phoenix airport and then oversee security. Violence in Charlottesville that broke out between white supremacist groups and their opponents provide the governor a clean reason to avoid being seen on stage with the president.
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.
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.