NEW YORK: New York police have thrown up metal barriers around the Trump Tower and blocked roads near the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse as they brace for potential protests ahead of Donald Trump’s expected surrender to the prosecutors, on Tuesday (today).
The ex-president of the United States is supposedly due at the courthouse Tuesday afternoon after his charge in a grand jury probe over hush money paid to a famous porn star. He is the first former United States president to face criminal charges.
Former President Trump describes the probe as a political witch-hunt, and the top supporters, including Republican lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene, say they would go to New York on Tuesday to protest. A court official said that the downtown courthouse, home to criminal and supreme courts, would shut down some courtrooms ahead of Trump’s expected appearance.
The New York Police Department has said there were no credible threats to the city. According to Site Intelligence Group (SIG), which monitors online extremism, few social media followers have called for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and the jury that indicted ex-President Trump to be executed.
Donald Trump’s claim on previous election
After Trump falsely claimed he won the previous election, his supporters stormed the United States Capitol building on 6 January 2021, sparking a deadly riot. Several Trump followers have expressed wariness online about public demonstrations, even after the ex-President expressed concern they could be arrested.
The New York Police Department said that “[The] department remains ready to respond as needed and will make sure everyone is able to peacefully exercise their right”.
A Trump adviser said the former President is expected to fly to New York City on Monday from Florida and spend the whole night at Trump Tower before arriving on Tuesday morning at the courthouse.
While the spectacle of the ex-president facing criminal charges was certain to draw huge media attention, it isn’t yet clear if his appearance would draw a massive number of protesters. While Trump is a native New Yorker, he did not get several votes in his hometown; 23 percent of the city voted for him in 2020 and 18 percent in 2016.
The New York City Young Republican Club said it is master planning a protest at the park across the streets from the courthouse, a demonstration that Greene, and one of Trump’s staunchest followers in Congress, said she would attend.
“Protesting is a constitutional right,” Greene said, adding that she would “protest this unprecedented exploit of our justice system and election interference.” She said she refused anyone who incites and commits violence. Before voting to indict the former President, the grand jury heard evidence about a 130,000 dollars payment to porn film actress Stormy Daniels in the waning days of the 2016 presidential election campaign.
Porn star Daniels, whose original name is Stephanie Clifford, has said she was paid to keep quiet about a sexual encounter with ex-President Trump in 2006. Trump rejected the sexual encounter.
A court official told Reuter’s that courtrooms on higher courthouse floors would be closed at 1 p.m. before Trump’s expected 2:15 p.m. arraignment.
The official said many court cases would be adjourned at the building across the street from the courthouse.
