Trump's Imminent Arrest Ignites Tensions: Calls for Protests Amid Manhattan DA's Expected Indictment
Former President Donald Trump sent shockwaves through the nation on Saturday as he declared in a social media post that he expects to be arrested next Tuesday. Anticipating an indictment by the Manhattan District Attorney, he urged his supporters to "Protest, take our nation back." As tensions rise, New York law enforcement agencies are bracing for the unprecedented event and its potential fallout.
According to CNN's John Miller, city, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in New York City have been engaged in meetings throughout the week to prepare for Trump's possible indictment. While the former president provided no details on the impending charges, his legal team has been anticipating the indictment and preparing for the next steps behind the scenes.
Sources reveal that Trump believes he will be indicted simply because Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg "hates him." The former president's call for protests evokes memories of his final days in office, during which he repeatedly urged his supporters to reject the 2020 presidential election results, culminating in the deadly January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
Some of Trump's advisers have privately cautioned against inciting protests, fearing that mass gatherings in Manhattan could spiral out of control or resemble the events of January 6, 2021. Law enforcement officials involved in the planning process have expressed concerns about courthouse security, the possibility of demonstrations or rallies outside the courthouse by Trump supporters or counter-demonstrations by anti-Trump protesters, and the risk of the two groups clashing.
If indicted, Trump's US Secret Service detail would escort him to the Manhattan district attorney's office for fingerprinting and mugshots. Following arrest processing, he would likely be arraigned before a judge and released on his own recognizance.
As this breaking story continues to develop, the nation anxiously awaits further updates on the potential arrest and its ramifications.