President Trump will hold a rally Tuesday night, Aug. 22, at the Phoenix Convention Center, administration officials announced Wednesday.
The president has been holding campaign-style events in Trump-friendly areas since he took office. Next weekβs rally will be his first in the West.
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton is not happy about the visit.
βI am disappointed that President Trump has chosen to hold a campaign rally as our nation is still healing from the tragic events in Charlottesville,β Stanton said in a statement. βIt is my hope that more sound judgment prevails and that he delays his visit.β
Hours after the Trump announcement, U.S. Rep. RaΓΊl Grijalva said in a six-minute YouTube video that he will be leading a counterprotest outside the rally.
The Tucson Democrat called Trump βunhingedβ following the presidentβs comments about the violence in Charlottesville.
Grijalva said he is also concerned that Trump will pardon former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio during his visit to Phoenix. Arpaio was found guilty of criminal contempt for ignoring a court order to stop detaining suspected illegal immigrants. He faces up to six months in prison.
Trump told Fox News in an interview this week that he may pardon Arpaio. A federal judge ruled in 2013 that Arpaioβs officers had racially profiled Latinos.
Critics say a pardon would amount to an endorsement of racism.
βIf President Trump is coming to Phoenix to announce a pardon for former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, then it will be clear that his true intent is to enflame emotions and further divide our nation,β Stanton said.
Tickets to Trumpβs rally are available on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to two tickets per person.
Trump is set to speak at 7 p.m., although attendees are encouraged to get to the venue early.
To get tickets, go to www.donaldjtrump.com/rallies/phoenix-az
