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Dozens Of Trump Supporters Gather Outside Mar-A-Lago Following His Indictment—As NYPD Steps Up Security

03/31/2023
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Topline

Dozens of Donald Trump supporters gathered outside his residence in Mar-A-Lago, Florida, Thursday evening after he was indicted by a New York grand jury for his role in alleged hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels, although the sparse turnout was not exactly in line with Trump’s earlier calls for mass protests

Key Facts

Local media reports showed supporters holding banners, Trump 2024 campaign flags and American flags as they gathered at a bridge near Mar-A-Lago.

Some people who drove through the area also appeared to express support by honking their horns and shouting from their cars.

Palm Beach police officers were at the site, although the situation remained peaceful, local reports added.

One of the supporters told Reuters that the indictment is “gonna give him the presidency, just watch.”

After news of Trump’s indictment broke, the American flag flying at Mar-A-Lago was lowered to half-staff, ABC affiliate Local 10 reported.

Key Background

A Manhattan grand jury Thursday indicted Trump for his role in an alleged hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, weeks before the 2016 elections. The exact charges will likely be revealed Tuesday, when Trump is expected to be arraigned. Earlier this month, the former president told his supporters he was going to be arrested by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office and urged them to protest and “take our nation back.” Trump’s calls for protests, however, were met with a lukewarm response with many of his allies urging against such a reaction. A few days later, in another post on his Truth Social platform, Trump warned of nationwide “death and destruction” if he was charged in the probe. In response to criticism accusing him of calling for violence from his supporters, Trump told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that he was just “afraid people will do something” and was not actually asking them to engage in violence.

Tangent

Despite no major protests breaking out on Thursday, security officials in New York, including the U.S. Marshalls, Secret Service and New York Police Department, have discussed stepping up security in the city over the next few days, CNN reported. According to the report, an internal memo has been issued asking all NYPD personnel and support units to be in uniform on Friday and informs them that they should be “prepared for mobilization at any time during their shifts.”

Further Reading

Trump Indicted By Manhattan Grand Jury—Arraignment Expected Tuesday On Over 30 Charges, Reports Say (Forbes)

Trump Indictment: Republicans Including Pence, DeSantis, McCarthy And Don Jr. Rage Against Criminal Charges (Forbes)

Trump And Allies Respond To Indictment With Fundraising Pleas (Forbes)

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2023/03/31/dozens-of-trump-supporters-gather-outside-mar-a-lago-following-his-indictment-as-nypd-steps-up-security/