Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump on Saturday defended the decision to cancel a rally a day earlier in Chicago after protesters clashed with supporters, calling it an act of leadership.
“Commander George Devereux of the CPD was informed of everything before it happened. Likewise, Secret Service and private security firms were consulted and totally involved,” the Trump campaign said in a statement.
Chicago police said they had sufficient manpower on scene to handle the situation and did not recommended Mr. Trump cancel the rally, The Associated Press reported.
That decision was made “independently” by the campaign, police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told AP.
Mr. Trump has been the target of criticism from the media, Democrats and his GOP rivals for both allegedly inciting violence at his rallies and for his decision to cancel the Chicago event amid unrest.
The campaign said that Mr. Trump’s decision to call off the rally was a demonstration of good management and leadership.
“We have received great credit from everyone for cancelling this event. Nobody was injured, and crowds disbanded quickly and peacefully,” the Trump statement said. “It has been termed ’really good management and leadership under great pressure!’ “
“It would have been easier for Mr. Trump to have spoken, but he decided, in the interest of everyone’s safety, to postpone the event,” the statement concluded.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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