Topline
Authorities in New York City and Washington, D.C., have started preparing for protests ahead of the possible indictment of former President Donald Trump th9s week according to multiple reports, even as online communities of Trump supporters seem widely disorganized as they hastily make plans for demonstrations.
The New York Police Department drops off metal barricades in front of Manhattan Criminal Court on … [+]
Key Facts
Police were seen putting up barricades Monday outside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse, where Trump could be arraigned on criminal charges as soon as this week—a New York Police Department spokesperson told Forbes police are preparing “for all contingencies.”
In D.C., Capitol Police have reportedly erected bike rack fencing around the Capitol, though people familiar with the precautions told Politico police believe unrest is more likely in New York City and around Trump’s Mar-A-Lago resort in south Florida, where small groups have turned out since Trump suggested over the weekend that an indictment is imminent.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) said at a news conference Monday that the New York Police Department is “monitoring comments on social media” and he is “confident” they will keep demonstrations peaceful.
Some authorities are concerned about online chatter: Citing intelligence sources, CBS News reported authorities have observed a “significant increase” in online extremist rhetoric, including against law enforcement officials, but have not identified any credible threats..
Meanwhile, ABC News reported the DC Fusion Center—an intelligence group that works with local and national law enforcement agencies—published an internal memo noting Trump’s weekend demands for protest led to “the most significant 24-hour” rise in online calls for violence since the FBI raid of Mar-A-Lago in August, though the FBI said it hasn’t seen any immediate signs of violence.
Trump supporters online appear in disarray as they attempt to heed his calls for protest—NBC News reporter Ben Collins tweeted Monday afternoon that “Trump fans are mostly telling each other not to go, saying it’s a fed trap.”
What To Watch For
One of the handful of protests formally planned for Tuesday is at the parking lot of an In-N-Out Burger in Laguna Hills, California, which Trump loyalist Roger Stone promoted.
Key Background
Trump said Saturday he expects to be indicted Tuesday and called for his supporters to “protest, take our nation back,” though he had not been charged with any crimes as of Monday evening. A Manhattan grand jury appears to be wrapping up its investigation into Trump’s role in a $130,000 payment his former fixer, Michael Cohen, made to porn star Stormy Daniels in the final days of the 2016 presidential campaign. Daniels claims the payment was hush money to keep her from publicly disclosing an alleged affair she had with Trump—which the former president has repeatedly denied. Legal experts have speculated Trump could be indicted for falsifying business records and violating campaign finance laws if prosecutors determine the payment amounted to an illegal campaign donation. If he is indicted, Trump is expected to surrender to authorities in New York, where he will likely undergo fingerprinting and have his mugshot taken before pleading not guilty at an arraignment. He will almost certainly be released from custody immediately afterward.
Contra
Trump supporters organized the January 6, 2021, storming of the Capitol online but did so over the course of weeks. Investigations have determined authorities were underprepared to respond to the attack even though threats were made clearly and openly.
Photos
Barricades are unloaded from a truck near the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse on Monday.
An NYPD truck carries metal barricades en route to Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday.
Barricades are set up in front of Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday.
Barricades are prepared to be unloaded from a truck on Monday outside the Manhattan Criminal … [+]
Barricades are placed in front of Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2023/03/20/new-york-and-dc-beef-up-security-for-possible-trump-indictment-unrest/