The New York Police Department and the United States Secret Service are holding a conference in Midtown Manhattan to discuss the possibility of indicting President Donald Trump. Both organizations are preparing for the former president’s likely arrest this week and the subsequent protests he has instructed his followers to the stage.
Security discussions have also included the Federal Bureau of Investigation, state court officials, and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office. According to law enforcement, New York City is bracing for the worst after Trump, 76, urged his supporters to “take our nation back” in light of his impending indictment.
On Sunday, a source within the NYPD stated, “We will employ all of our resources.” Strategic Response Group, which handles civil disturbances and major events, “has a responsibility in this agency and will be called in as needed,” the department stated.
Officials from several organizations reportedly got together on Sunday and will likely do so again on Monday.
During Bragg’s ongoing investigation into the alleged hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election, Trump announced over the weekend on his Truth Social site that he expects to be detained on Tuesday because of an indictment. According to Daniels, she and Trump had an affair in 2006. According to Trump, that is not the case.
According to reports, after the former president’s online call to followers, authorities at all levels of government went into lockdown.
Security measures, such as restricting access to the Manhattan courts by automobile and stationing personnel both inside and outside the building, are expected to be discussed in a meeting on Monday, according to reliable sources.
Bragg’s office has not commented on whether or not charges would be filed shortly.
The NYPD, however, has stated that they will be prepared if Trump is charged and violence ensues.
New York City Police Department Chief Kevin Maloney told The Post, “We’ll treat it as we do anything else.” There are usually a lot of cops down there because, well, it’s Lower Manhattan. Hence, we shall maintain vigilance. There will be plenty of materials for us to work with. As for what occurs, that’s a mystery until next Tuesday.
Maloney speculated that there would be discussions between the intelligence division and interested parties at the federal courts and the district attorney’s office.
We’ll have plenty of warning before the big event, he assured me. We’ll make sure the courthouse’s entrances and exits are secure, and we’ll back the protestors’ right to assemble peacefully if they show up there. If they aren’t around, that’s even better.
On Sunday, when the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies were approached for comment, Bragg’s office sent the request to them.
For the sake of transparency, a Secret Service official stated, “We can’t comment about particular protection plans or movements for any Secret Service protectee.” When asked for comment, the FBI claimed to have none.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told Fox News on Sunday that there were no clear indications that Trump supporters were preparing violent protests. The president’s office is monitoring the situation, he added.
“We are constantly keeping an eye on things here as best we can,” Kirby assured the media. ” We are keeping a careful eye on this because we don’t want things to escalate to the kind of violence saw on January 6.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining calm throughout any potential protests, whether they be related to this subject or another.
Trump decried “ILLEGAL LEAKS FROM A CORRUPT AND HIGHLY POLITICAL MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE” when he declared Saturday morning that he was about to be detained.
“ON TUESDAY, LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL ARREST THE MOST POPULAR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE AND FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Protest, and reclaim our country! he cried in his manifesto.
“WE WATCH AS THEY DESTROY OUR COUNTRY. We have to save America! ‘PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST!!!’ he yelled.
On Sunday, Trump once again took to Truth Social to assert that “there was no crime, period” and accuse Bragg of “prosecutorial malpractice.”
According to Trump’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, the ex-president is being given updates on when he may be arrested. He said that he and the rest of the ex-legal president’s staff had not been contacted by the DA’s office.
“No one tells us anything,” he told The Post on Saturday, “and that’s quite aggravating.”
Former Trump attorney and fixer Michael Cohen are rumored to have paid more than $130,000 to Daniels to silence her before the 2016 presidential election.
Cohen said in 2018 that the payments violated federal campaign finance regulations. He received a three-year term for his crime.
Both Cohen and Daniels have testified before the DA’s office grand jury in recent weeks. Robert Costello, a former partner of Cohen’s and a lawyer in his own right, is reportedly being called to appear on Monday at 4 p.m.
On Saturday, Bragg emailed his workers to assure them that his office will continue to function despite Trump’s call for demonstrations.
“Our law enforcement partners will make sure that any specific or genuine threats against the office are adequately investigated and that the necessary protections are in place so that all 1,600 of us can work securely,” Bragg informed his office, according to a leaked email that journalist Breanna Morello uncovered.
Meanwhile, as with other inquiries, we will follow the law uniformly and equitably and speak out only when appropriate,” Bragg stated. Saying, “We don’t allow individuals to attempt to terrify us or endanger the rule of law in New York,” they made it clear that they would not tolerate such an attack on the city’s legal system.