Former President Donald Trump said Saturday he expects to be arrested in connection with the investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney next week and called for protests. Law enforcement in New York is reportedly getting ready for violence related to the possible indictment.
In a social media post, Trump, referring to himself, said the “leading Republican candidate and former president of the United States will be arrested on Tuesday of next week.”
“Protest, take our nation back,” he added.
Meetings between city, state, and federal law enforcement agencies have reportedly taken place in New York City all week to plan for a potential indictment of President Trump in connection with an ongoing investigation into a hush-money scheme involving adult film actress Stormy Daniels. This is according to CNN’s John Miller.
If Trump is ever indicted, it would be a historic first that would fundamentally alter the political narrative surrounding him, who is up for reelection in 2024. Even though Trump has a long history of civil litigation, both before and after becoming president, a criminal charge would represent a significant increase in his legal challenges as he seeks to recapture the White House.
Even though Trump’s legal team has been anticipating this and preparing behind the scenes, he did not explain why he thinks he will be indicted. Since the formal accusations, the former president has expressed interest in giving a speech, although it is unknown if he will do so. After the formal accusations, he is expected to show up in Manhattan.
A spokesperson for Trump stated that the former president was “rightfully highlighting his innocence” in his Truth Social post. He also claimed that the Manhattan District Attorney’s office had not notified him of any potential charge.
According to a source familiar with what Trump has said, Trump has grumbled in private that he feels Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, “hates” him and is only going to indict him.
Trump’s call for a protest in response to a prospective arrest is reminiscent of his last days in office when he admonished his supporters to reject the 2020 presidential election results, which led to the tragic attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Trump’s aides have privately encouraged him not to call for protests because they were worried about the implications of a large-scale demonstration turning violent or mimicking the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Discussions have focused on how to handle the logistics of a New York County grand jury’s prospective criminal indictment and how to handle the potential for an unprecedented arrest of a former US president. Following Trump’s posts on Saturday, CNN contacted the New York Police Department, but they did not answer right away.
Trump would be transported to the Manhattan district attorney’s office by a US Secret Service detail where he would be fingerprinted and had his mug shots taken in the detective squad’s offices. As is typical in situations where a defendant is permitted to voluntarily surrender, the former president would be escorted directly to an arraignment before a judge after arrest processing. There, he would probably be released on his own recognizance.
According to law enforcement officials who were privy to the discussions, several issues have been brought up during the planning process, including courthouse security, the potential for rallies or protests by Trump supporters outside the courthouse, as well as counterprotests by anti-Trump protesters, with the possibility of clashes between the two groups.
