August 25, 2017

Episode 330: Trump Comes to Phoenix

The president visited border city of Yuma before a rally in Phoenix, which was capped by a protest that ended in arrests.

President Donald Trump visited Arizona this week, with Yuma as his first stop and, later, a rally in Phoenix.

Trump and Secretary of State John Kelly few into Marine Corps Air Station Yuma to meet with men and women from Customs and Border Protection, the first time a U.S. president has visited the border city in 10 years.

Air Force One then departed Yuma en route for Phoenix, where thousands of supporters and protesters lined the streets. There was a heavy police presence anticipating tensions between Trump supporters and counter-protesters.

Arizona Week attended the campaign-style rally, with guests including Secretary of Housing Ben Carson; Alveda King, the niece of Martin Luther King, Jr.; Franklin Graham, a famous evangelist preacher; and Vice President Mike Pence.

Many expected Trump to pardon former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, convicted of felony contempt of court. While that idea drew many protesters to downtown Phoenix Tuesday, no pardon was made.

Four arrests were made following the rally, and police deployed tear gas on the crowd.

Polls show Trump has a slowing, though steady, support from his base in Arizona.

Earlier in Tucson, U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake visited Southern Arizona and addressed his so-called feud with Trump.

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