Transcript for Tens of thousands of protesters expected at Trump’s Phoenix rally

Tuesday night, and president trump has arrived in Arizona. The mayor of Phoenix asked him to delay that rally, but it will go on tonight. Supporters gathering a week after his handling of charlottesville. Paying a visit to the U.S. Border patrol there. While in Phoenix, thousands lining up all day long. Arizona’s Republican governor will skip the event. ABC’s chief national correspondent, Tom llamas, leading us off. Reporter: In Phoenix the red hat wearing faithful are lining up here to see president trump. Who ignored a plea from the city’s mayor to postpone tonight’s rally because emotions were still too raw after charlottesville. Jews will not replace us. Reporter: The president blamed the violence in charlottesville on both sides, even praising some of those who marched with torches. You had some very bad people in that group, but you also had people that were very fine people on both sides. Reporter: Just moments ago, the president touching down in Arizona visiting a border patrol station, meeting with Marines. And checking out a predator drone. In his prime time speech, the president tried to strike a chord of unity. When we open our hearts to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice, no place for bigotry and no tolerance for hate. Reporter: But will he stick to that tone tonight? Arizona’s governor is staying away from the rally. And the mayor of Phoenix, a Democrat, is worried, saying “Trump has doused racial tensions with gasoline.” What would you tell the president? Well, look. The president blew it after charlottesville. It was really a failure of moral leadership, you. You but you know what? We’re a country of second chances. My polite advice to the president, take advantage of this opportunity. Reporter: The mayor is expecting tens of thousands of protestors tonight, but team trump also out in force. These people have been waiting hours, some since 7:00 this morning. There’s a clear enthusiasm from these trump supporters that they want to see the president speak. Tell me why you drove 18 hours from Kansas. I wanted to come down here to show my support for trump, and let him know his base still stands firmly behind him. You want to hear about unity? Yeah, I want to hear about bringing the country together and not one side vs the other I want everyoen to com together And stop wih the hate. Tom llamas with us live from Phoenix, and one person not expected at that rally tonight, Joe arpaio. He was recently convicted of violating a court order to stop undocumented graebt immigrants. The president could be considering whether to pardon arpaio? Reporter: The president has said he is seriously considering arpaio, and some believe it could happen at this event, and if that would happen, the protesters would erupt, and tonight the white house saying that’s not going to happen, David. Tom llamas leading us off from Arizona tonight. Thank you.

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