Public opinion in the US has been boiling over in recent days over former President Trump's announcement that he is about to be arrested and calls for his supporters to protest. Those calls were written by Mr. Trump on the social network Truth Social: "It's time!!! We can't allow this anymore. They are destroying our country. We must save America! Protest, protest, protest!!!"
Earlier, the 76-year-old former president revealed "illegally leaked information" from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office in New York City indicating that he would be arrested on March 21. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office neither admitted nor denied that they were about to file charges against Mr. Trump.
Former President Donald Trump. Photo: AP
Trump faces an indictment for paying a $130,000 hush money to porn actress Stormy Daniels in the final days of the 2016 campaign. The actress said she and Trump had an affair a decade earlier. Trump denied the allegations. He went on to win the election and serve as president from 2017 to 2021.
The former president's call to supporters has put federal and local authorities on alert, according to sources.
In that context, the New York City government has planned to respond to protesters, to avoid an incident similar to the one at the US Capitol building on January 6, 2021. At that time, a crowd of protesters, following a call from Mr. Donald Trump, stormed Capitol Hill to protest the results of the 2020 US presidential election, which was won by Democratic candidate Joe Biden.
"We will use all of our available resources to respond to any situation. Whenever needed, we will be there," said a source from the New York City Police Department.
The US Secret Service, the New York Police Department and the Manhattan borough government also met on March 20 to discuss security measures including restricting vehicles from entering and leaving the Manhattan courthouse, and deploying forces both inside and outside the courthouse.
"The New York City Police Department is ready in case Mr. Trump is impeached and unrest breaks out," Police Chief Kevin Maloney told the New York Post . A response plan has also been drawn up by the US Secret Service, but details have not been disclosed.
Police and Secret Service have stepped up security in New York City following Mr Trump's call for supporters to protest. Photo: AP
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby also told Fox News that the White House is still closely monitoring the situation but there is no sign of violent protests in support of Mr. Trump.
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