The Patriot Post® · Fire & Fury in Phoenix

President Trump was clearly fired up during Tuesday night’s rally in Phoenix, Arizona. Thousands of conservatives braved left-wing mobs to get into the rally. And they had to endure the same mobs to leave the rally, but they did it.

The left-wing protestors were so disorderly that police had to respond with tear gas and stun grenades. Thankfully, Arizona conservatives refused to be cowed by these so-called “progressives” who want to shut down free speech.

Secretary Ben Carson and Dr. Alveda King spoke. Reverend Franklin Graham offered the prayer. Vice President Mike Pence warmed up the crowd with a rousing recitation of the administration’s accomplishments.

Then the president took the stage. His speech was vintage Trump, and he unleashed his fury on big media. At one point, the president vented his frustration, saying, “The only thing giving a platform to these hate groups is the media itself and the fake news.”

In the spirit of bi-partisanship, the president also went after both of Arizona’s Republican senators without naming them. He begged the crowd to let Sen. McCain know how much they wanted Obamacare repealed.

And he criticized Sen. Flake for being flakey on border security and a non-factor in the Senate. It is highly unusual for a sitting president to take on an incumbent senator of his own party. But there is a real effort under way to replace Flake in the Republican primary because polling shows he can’t hold the seat.

The president naturally spoke at length about border security. Earlier in the day, he visited the Yuma sector and met with Border Patrol agents. He hinted at a possible fight with Congress over funding for the border wall. Here are some excerpts:

“The most sacred duty of government is to protect the lives of its citizens, and that includes securing our borders, and enforcing our immigration laws … believe me, if we have to close down our government, we’re building that wall.

"Let me be very clear to Democrats in Congress who oppose a border wall and stand in the way of border security: You are putting all of America’s safety at risk … My administration will never back down in demanding immigration control … Immigration security is also a matter of national security. That’s why we’re implementing tough new vetting and screening protocols to keep radical Islamic terrorists out of our country.”

The president also hinted he would pardon Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was convicted of contempt for his tough anti-illegal immigration enforcement procedures. Our previous Democrat presidents — Bill Clinton and Barack Obama — pardoned terrorists. This president wants to pardon “America’s toughest sheriff.” That contrast speaks volumes.

It was also notable that President Trump called out Antifa by name. More Americans need to know about this violent left-wing group that is beating up people and denying American citizens their First Amendment rights. Again, I urge the Department of Justice to launch a RICO investigation of the fascist group.

Conservatives have repeatedly denounced neo-Nazis and the KKK, saying they have nothing to do with conservatism. I am still waiting for liberal leaders and the media to denounce the Antifa thugs.

Left-wing Insanity

Just when you think the left can’t get any crazier, it does. ESPN removed commentator Robert Lee from covering next weekend’s home game at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. General Robert E. Lee certainly has been making headlines lately. But, for the record, he is dead. So, that’s not who we’re talking about.

ESPN’s Robert Lee, for the record, isn’t even white. He’s Asian.

Maybe executives at the progressive sports network thought Virginians were just too fragile to handle it or that his name might “trigger” the snowflakes on campus. I don’t know what they were thinking. But the fact that they had this discussion at all shows just how utterly insane the left has become and that there is no limit to its politically correct insanity.

But there’s more!

The NAACP is threatening to boycott the NFL until Colin Kaepernick gets signed with a team. How sad.

The NAACP earned a reputation fighting for the noble cause of civil rights and the belief that we should be judged not by the color of our skin but by our abilities and the content of our character. Now it has been reduced to defending a player with questionable talents who chose to put his disdain for America on public display, turning off many fans as a result.

Just one more example of how the left is ruining everything — even football.

Swift Moves

Facing growing criticism for a rash of collisions, Admiral Scott Swift, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, moved yesterday to reassert confidence and control. The Navy released the following statement announcing a change of leadership in the Seventh Fleet:

“Adm. Scott Swift, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, today relieved the commander of Seventh Fleet, Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command. Rear Adm. Phil Sawyer, who has already been nominated and confirmed for the position and promotion to Vice Adm., will assume command immediately.”

Of course, replacing an admiral doesn’t solve the problem. But Admiral Swift evidently felt that new leadership was needed.

Given this unusual cluster of incidents, I am interested to hear from our readers with naval experience. I know accidents happen. But are there “good explanations” for why some of our most sophisticated ships are colliding with large oil tankers?