Arizona Democrats warned Monday that President Trump could provoke unrest when he holds a rally in Phoenix on Tuesday.
Rep. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat who represents part of Phoenix, said he is “worried” Trump’s visit will “make things worse not better,” and that his presence could attract armed neo-Nazis.
“I do believe they will turn up armed because they are cowards,” Gallego said at a press conference in Phoenix. “These neo-Nazis are looking to cause trouble. They want to cause an altercation.”
Trump will visit the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma before traveling to Phoenix, where he is slated to hold a rally at the city convention center.
The rally comes after two weekends of civil unrest in major cities that involved clashes between neo-Nazis and counter-protesters.
Democratic National Committee CEO Jess O’Connell said the neo-Nazis will cause violence.
“Violence comes when white supremacy and neo-Nazis are involved,” O’Connell said, adding that those protesting against the neo-Nazis are “peaceful.”
Some are speculating Trump will use the Phoenix rally to pardon former Maricopa Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was found in criminal contempt of court for detaining illegal immigrants who have not committed other crimes.
Gallego said a pardon by Trump “would be a disgrace to the office of the presidency,” and “a horrible precedent for all law enforcement.”
O’Connell said a Trump pardons for the 85-year-old Arpaio, “is a pardon for white supremacy.”
Gallego and other Democrats sent a letter to Trump last week calling on him not to pardon Arpaio, arguing it would send a message that his political allies are “immune from prosecution.”
