Thousands expected for rally
Trump’s 1st visit as commander in chief prompts closures, big police presence
The pieces are in place ahead of President Donald Trump’s rally in downtown Phoenix today, with the nation waiting to see how it will play out.
Officials are bracing for a deluge of tens of thousands of supporters and protesters, leading law enforcement to close roads and also for many businesses, offices, schools and even state courts to close their doors early.
Although Trump visited Arizona seven times during his campaign, this is his first visit as president and likely to be a very different affair.
Before he travels to Phoenix for the rally, Trump is scheduled to visit Marine Air Station Yuma, a Marine Corps base along the U.S.-Mexico border.
It is possible he could tour the U.S.Mexico border, which is about 10 miles from Yuma.
From there, he’ll travel to Phoenix, where he’s scheduled to take the stage at the Phoenix Convention Center at 7 p.m.
As is typical, the White House and police have not shared details on when Trump is expected to land or his route from the airport to downtown.
Supporters will likely begin lining up outside the convention center this morning, with protesters soon to follow. Thousands of people will be outside for hours during a hot and sunny day with temperatures above 100 degrees.
Road closures will make room for crowds in a small radius mostly north and east of the convention center.
The closures appear intended to keep foot traffic in an area bound by the Herberger Theater Center, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona State University’s Mercado buildings and Heritage Square, which is home to the Arizona Science Center and nationally acclaimed Pizzeria Bianco.
The roads that will be closed are Monroe Street from Second to Seventh streets, Third Street from Washington to Van Buren streets, and Fifth Street from Jefferson to Van Buren streets, a relatively small swath of downtown.
Many organizations plan to show up outside the convention center, including the Arizona Anti-Defamation League, Maricopa County Young Republicans, and immigrant-rights group Puente Human Rights Movement. Rep. Raúl Grijalva said he will be in Phoenix to protest.
Bikers for Trump plan to ride motorcycles to the convention center, where they intend to protect Trump fans from harassment. Volunteers with the Arizona Republican Party will be registering people to vote.
One group is asking protesters to wear purple in honor of Heather Heyer, who was killed when a car mowed down a group of protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia. Others are planning to wear costumes or rainbow outfits and play instruments in an impromptu band to diffuse the tension.
Phoenix officials declined to elaborate on how many officers they plan to deploy or whether they plan on enforcing a “buffer zone” between Trump supporters and protesters.
Anyone hoping to make it inside to see Trump in person must register on Trump’s website and plan to wait outside for hours for a chance to get in, and then hours more inside. Doors will open at 4 p.m. It is illegal for anyone except law enforcement to bring a gun or weapon inside the convention center. The center is also banning backpacks, bags, packages, glass and metal containers, coolers, signs, mace and pepper spray, toy guns, ammunition, explosives, laser pointers, drones and selfie sticks.
There is much speculation that Trump may use the occasion to announce the pardon of former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was convicted of criminal contempt of court for disobeying a judge’s order in a racial-profiling case.
Arpaio was an early supporter of Trump’s campaign and has said he would accept a pardon.
Trump also may do some rhetorical bashing of Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., one of his top GOP critics.
Gov. Doug Ducey will not attend the rally, instead focusing on working with law enforcement to ensure safety.
Republic reporters Megan Cassidy, Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Ronald Hansen and Dan Nowicki contributed to this article.