If the Manhattan District Attorney’s office orders the arrest of former President Donald Trump, the New York Police Department is bracing for civil unrest.
In preparation for a possible grand jury indictment, the NYPD has ordered the mobilization of 700 riot police and has erected steel barricades around the Manhattan Criminal Court.
NOW – Steel barricades outside Manhattan Criminal Court.pic.twitter.com/juNZ1fQAct
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) March 20, 2023
The New York Times fantasized about Donald Trump being “likely indicted” and arrested in a “unprecedented” manner.
“He would be fingerprinted. He would be photographed. He could even be handcuffed. And if Donald J. Trump is indicted by a Manhattan grand jury in the days ahead for his role in a hush money payment to a porn star, the former president of the United States of America will be read the standard Miranda warning: He will be told that he has the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.”
“These are among the routine steps for felony arrests in New York. But the unprecedented arrest of a former commander in chief — one whose devoted supporters once staged a violent attack on the Capitol — will be anything but routine,” the story added.
The Times also reported that “more than a dozen senior Police Department officials and two of the mayor’s top public safety aides held a virtual meeting to discuss security, staffing and contingency plans in the event of any protests, one person with knowledge of the meeting said.”
The New York Times drew a parallel between New York City’s security preparations for a possible Trump indictment this week and the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots.
“That meeting followed a call from Mr. Trump himself, in a post on his site Truth Social on Saturday morning: ‘PROTEST,’ he exhorted his supporters. ‘TAKE OUR NATION BACK!’
“The former president’s rallying cry, with an indictment looming, conjured up memories of the Jan. 6, 2020, assault on the Capitol,” the Times added.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has announced that he will use his Congressional authority to investigate Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for alleged political prosecution of the former president.
“Republicans plan to use their new investigative powers in the House majority to ramp up probes into the Biden family and liberal Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg amid reports that Mr. Bragg is on the verge of indicting former President Donald Trump on felony charges,” the Washington Times reported.
“An aide to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, Ohio Republican, told The Washington Times on Sunday that Mr. Jordan’s panel on the weaponization of the federal government “’is expected to respond’ to Mr. Bragg’s plans to indict Mr. Trump with an investigation and possible hearings,” the report added.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said on Sunday that the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government will look into the Manhattan District Attorney’s case against Trump.
McCarthy stated that the House will investigate Bragg’s office’s use of federal funds. On Monday, the weaponization panel is expected to make an announcement about the investigation.
“This is the type of thing America hates, and it divides America and it is wrong,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy also remarked on Trump’s call for “protests.” The speaker denied that Trump’s remarks implied violence when he called for his supporters to “protest, protest, protest” and “take our nation back” on his Truth Social media site. He also argued that Trump’s words did not mean protesting in the streets.
“I don’t think people should protest this. No,” McCarthy said. “And if you talk to President Trump, he doesn’t believe this either.”