Mesa Mayor John Giles says city will be prepared for President Trump visit

PHOENIX — A presidential visit requires a lot of planning and resources. Mesa Mayor John Giles already knows what comes with the territory.

“This is not our first rodeo,” Giles told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Monday. “Mesa is well prepared for this. … We welcome the spotlight.”

Trump, who made a campaign stop in Mesa nearly three years ago, will host a rally for U.S. Senate hopeful Martha McSally, Gov. Doug Ducey and other Republican candidates Friday at Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport.

The gathering gets underway at 7 p.m.

The president’s last visit to the Valley ended with protesters and police clashing on downtown streets near the Phoenix Convention Center in August 2017.

“I don’t think you’ll see a real disruptive event when the president comes,” Giles said, pointing out the site was a more controlled environment than city streets.

“The Mesa Police Department is a big, sophisticated police department that has worked with the Secret Service in the past.”

Giles said the event was a positive opportunity for Mesa to share “the great story we have.”

Part of that story would be to hear opposite viewpoints at the rally.

“The First Amendment operates in Mesa, Arizona,” Giles said.

The Republican has supported some Trump policies and appreciated the party’s success under Trump.

But he also said,, “Like most people I will occasionally see a tweet that I wish hadn’t been tweeted.”

Giles doesn’t know whether he will attend the rally.

“I haven’t received the invitation … (but) given the opportunity would love to do that.”

Trump’s last rally in Mesa was held at the same place — International Air Response.

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