Phoenix spent $450,000 during Trump’s visit

PHOENIX — The city spent more than $450,000 on employee overtime expenses during President Donald Trump’s August visit, Phoenix officials said.

Police presence before, during and after Trump’s rally cost the city over $300,000, the Arizona Republic reported) Tuesday. The city paid over $10,000 to the fire department and for street transportation. The rest of the money was used to pay public works and water services.

“We do what it takes to protect the president of the United States when he visits Phoenix,” said Mayor Greg Stanton.

Trump’s campaign paid about $50,000 for the convention center space and indoor security and the city paid for all other costs, as it does when other candidates come through, City Manager Ed Zuercher told the newspaper in August.

Arizona Democratic Party spokesman Enrique Gutierrez has questioned the need for Trump’s event less than a year after the election and has called on Trump’s campaign to pay for the city’s expenses.

Trump has not offered to foot the bill nor will the city request reimbursement, said Julie Watters, a city spokeswoman. Asking the president’s campaign or any protest group to cover the costs would be inappropriate, Zuercher said.

“You can’t dampen free speech by telling people they have to pay for free speech,” Zuercher said.