Phoenix police chief: City to deploy 'maximum staffing' at Trump rally

PHOENIX — Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams attempted to assuage concerns about public safety at President Trump's planned rally Tuesday in Phoenix, assuring citizens that the department is "well prepared" for the visit. 

In a statement issued Thursday, Williams promised "maximum staffing" at the event and noted Phoenix's partnerships with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center.

"We do expect a lot of activity in the downtown area but we are prepared to minimize the impact to area businesses and residents," she said. "As always, I expect our officers will remain professional, decisive, and immediately responsive should the need arise."

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After days of speculation, Trump on Wednesday officially confirmed his trip. The announcement comes amid boiling racial tensions after Saturday's deadly events in Charlottesville, Va. — tensions that were inflamed by Trump's statements about the violence.

In addition, this week Trump announced he was "seriously considering" a pardon for political buddy Joe Arpaio, the polarizing former Maricopa County sheriff who recently was convicted of criminal contempt amid a racial-profiling case. In the underlying case, Arpaio's office was found to have discriminated against Latinos during the lawman's illegal-immigration patrols. 

Some have speculated that Trump will use the rally as occasion to repay Arpaio, who was one of Trump's earliest supporters. Arpaio on Thursday told The Arizona Republic nothing has been confirmed to him. 

On Wednesday afternoon, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton urged Trump to delay his visit, and a chorus of Democrats have called on the president not to pardon Arpaio. 

Williams' statement refrained from political commentary, focusing solely on the law-enforcement side of the operation. 

Follow Megan Cassidy on Twitter: @meganrcassidy