I was really hoping that Trump would take the opportunity to say some diplomatic and neutral words ahead of his rally. Unfortunately, he chose to threaten potential disrupters with violence.
I get it. You don't want your rally to have the distraction of dealing with unruly protestors. I don't blame him at all for that. I don’t understand why he can't even try to make it look like he'd extend any kind of olive branch. He doesn't have to mean it, and he doesn't have to give any ground on his personal convictions. How hard would it be to say something like "there's enough violence going on in the country, so please be respectful to each other at the rally. Unruly patrons will not be tolerated."
Even something like that would carry a lot of weight and probably ease tensions a notch or two. He has a golden opportunity teed up to be a great unifier, and I hope he swings hard and soon.