Trevor Hughes

USA TODAY

DENVER — Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump called on Americans to turn in people they think could be terrorists without worrying whether they’ll be accused of racism or profiling.

Speaking to one of the largest conservative political gatherings outside of Washington on Friday, Trump told a receptive crowd that radical Islamic terrorism should be a major fear. He said neighbors or family members of would-be terrorists may witness preparations for attacks but may consider not saying anything out of fear they'd be criticized.

“Give me a break,” he thundered. “People have to turn people in. And if they don’t turn them in, we are going to have more of these things.”

Trump spoke for nearly an hour to the Western Conservative Summit in Denver as a small crowd of protesters clashed with police outside. Denver police reported three arrests of protesters in the street. Inside the downtown convention center, Trump highlighted familiar campaign themes: building a wall along the Mexican border, re-negotiating trade deals and stopping the loss of American jobs. Referring to the bruising Republican primary field he bested, Trump said Americans need to understand that winning is what counts, especially when it comes to terrorists who don’t play by our rules.

“They have no respect for us whatsoever,” he said. “The only thing they understand is strength and toughness. And we’re weak. And Hillary is as weak as they get.”

Speaking before Trump took the stage, former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee, drew massive cheers from the crowd of at least 1,500 people as she again criticized establishment Republicans who have failed to understand why so many voters are supporting the real estate mogul.

“What have his critics ever built?” Palin asked. “We are going to take our country back, and you are either with us or against us.”

Referring to the protesters outside, Palin joked that Trump rallies should be held at construction sites, since the protesters are likely to avoid anywhere that work gets done — a line that got big laughs from the crowd.

At times, Trump struck a conciliatory tone, praising Republicans from Colorado and around the country with whom he’s working to win the race, including Ben Carson. Trump didn’t discuss any potential vice presidential candidates with whom he might share a ticket.

Meanwhile, outside the venue, protesters carried an effigy of Trump hanging from a noose, and others yelled that racism and hate speech have no place in America.