Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton warned President Trump to delay his trip to Arizona following the violent protest in Charlottesville two weekends ago.
“President Trump’s response to Charlottesville reminds us that the words and actions of our political leaders in the wake of tragic events matter,” Stanton wrote in a Monday op-ed. “America is hurting. And it is hurting largely because Trump has doused racial tensions with gasoline. With his planned visit to Phoenix on Tuesday, I fear the president may be looking to light a match.”
“That’s why I asked the president to delay his visit. It’s time to let cooler heads prevail and begin the healing process,” Stanton added.
The Democratic mayor is not optimistic the White House will heed his warning. Supporters and protesters are expected to turn out at the Tuesday evening rally in the tens of thousands and police are ready for the event.
Stanton said he believed Trump is heading to the Grand Canyon State to pardon Sheriff Joe Arpaio, though Tuesday afternoon the White House announced that Trump would not do so. A federal court ruled Arpaio had used illegal tactics to target people he believed may be illegal immigrants.
“Let’s be clear: A pardon of Arpaio can be viewed only as a presidential endorsement of the lawlessness and discrimination that terrorized Phoenix’s Latino community. Choosing to announce it in Phoenix — especially in the wake of Charlottesville — would add insult to very serious injury and would reveal that the president’s true intent is to further divide our nation,” Stanton said.
Stanton added that a pardon would not change Arpaio being convicted of a crime.
