Hillary Clinton on Saturday branded Donald Trump’s behavior “political arson,” warning that he’s encouraging violence at his rallies, as harsh criticism of the Republican front-runner echoed through the political world.
Trump remained unapologetic, saying Saturday his rally in Chicago had been canceled the previous day because of “organized, professionally-staged wise guys.”
The uproar over protests at Trump’s rallies adds an uncertain new element to Tuesday’s primaries in Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Florida and North Carolina. Clinton and Trump remain ahead in polls, but both face tough challenges, particularly in the Midwest.
Trump could be most vulnerable. In state after state, late-deciding voters have moved away from him. Clinton saw last-minute erosion last week in Michigan, whose demographics and economic woes are similar to those of the Midwestern states voting Tuesday.
Trump’s rallies have become more and more tense. A few miles from the site of Clinton’s rally Saturday, Trump spoke to 3,000 people Friday in downtown St. Louis. Protesters repeatedly interrupted him, and 32 people were arrested.
Later Friday, his Chicago rally was canceled because of safety concerns. Hundreds of protesters had packed the event, and fights broke out between Trump supporters and opponents.
Trump opponents Saturday condemned their rival. “Donald Trump has created a toxic environment,” Gov. John Kasich of Ohio said Saturday. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., called the disturbances “frightening.” Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, lamented “this is not going to be the last incident.”
Missouri is one of the less predictable states voting Tuesday. Polls show Trump and Clinton with single-digit leads. Clinton is pushing hard in the St. Louis area, helping to stoke enthusiasm as she battles Sen. Bernie Sanders, Ind.-Vt. Sanders, sensing momentum, added a last-minute stop Sunday at Affton High School.
Clinton stopped first at O’Fallon Park Recreation Complex, where she met with about 100 volunteers.
“You know, we will always have our differences, won’t we? That’s what happens in a democracy like ours,” Clinton said.
“But the ugly, divisive rhetoric we are hearing from Donald Trump and the encouragement of violence and aggression is wrong, and it’s dangerous.”
Be careful, Clinton said. “If you play with matches, you’re going to start a fire you can't control. That's not leadership. That’s political arson. The test of leadership and citizenship is the opposite. If you see bigotry, oppose it. If you see violence, condemn it. And if you see a bully, stand up to him.”
If you play with matches, you’re going to start a fire you can't control. That's not leadership. That’s political arson.
Hillary Clinton
Trump remained unapologetic. “The organized group of people, many of them thugs, who shut down our First Amendment rights in Chicago, have totally energized America!” he tweeted Saturday.
He told a rally in Dayton, Ohio, on Saturday, “We’re all together and we want to get along with everybody, but when they have organized, professionally-staged wise guys we’ve got to fight back, we’ve got to fight back.”
His speech was interrupted several times, and one protester rushed the stage, according to wire reports from Dayton. Trump continued to taunt the hecklers, at one point telling one, “Go back home to mommy.”