International- Authorities are bracing for Trump's arrival ahead of his historic arraignment on Tuesday.
- NYPD erected barricades in front of Trump Tower and the courthouse in preparation for potential protests.
Police in New York are bracing for protests with barricades and street closures as all eyes are on the city ahead of former President Trump's unprecedented arraignment Tuesday afternoon.
"Officers have been placed on alert and the department remains ready to respond as needed and will ensure everyone is able to peacefully exercise their rights," an NYPD spokesperson told Insider in a statement on Monday. "There are no current credible threats to New York City."
An Insider reporter on the scene noted that there were barricades and "Do Not Park" signs placed by authorities near the Manhattan courthouse as of Monday morning. In addition to a large media presence, a mix of court and NYPD officers were also in the area. Trump Tower is also circled with barriers.
Trump is expected to surrender on Tuesday days after a grand jury voted to indict him on charges stemming from the Manhattan District Attorney's office investigation into an alleged hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 presidential election — making him the first ex-president to be criminally charged.
The heightened security measures come after Trump previously called on his supporters to protest, a signal that was reminiscent of his statement before the January 6, 2021, deadly Capitol riot.
As Fox 5 New York reported, police cruisers were spotted outside the Manhattan District Attorney's office on Sunday. The office has been bombarded with a slew of phone calls with threats from pro-Trump supporters, a source told Insider.
Following the news of Trump's indictment on Thursday, the DA's office wanted him to surrender the next day, but the Secret Service, who will be by the former president's side during his court proceedings, needed more time to prep for his escort.
Here is what we know so far
- Trump plans to voluntarily present himself without a fight on Tuesday in Manhattan, his lead attorney previously told Insider. "It will be a smooth surrender," lawyer Susan Necheles told Insider.
- Final arrangements for Trump's appearance were still being hammered over the weekend by courthouse staff, the Secret Service, and the New York Police Department, Necheles said.
- Major media organizations are pressing Judge Juan Merchan, who will be presiding over Trump's criminal case, to unseal the indictment, citing "overwhelming public interest." Media orgs are also petitioning for video and audio equipment in the courtroom.
- Trump will be fingerprinted and pose for a mugshot ahead of his arraignment, however, the photograph won't be made public because, under New York law, mugshots are not public record.
- A law enforcement official told the Washington Post last week that agents have mapped out Trump's movement in and out of the courthouse and will escort him in his travels from Florida to New York.
- Trump said he would fly to New York on Monday, spend the night at his apartment there, and jet back to Florida on Tuesday night after his arraignment to rally with supporters at Mar-a-Lago.
- Trump maintains that he is being targeted. In a Truth Social post on Monday, the former president wrote: "WITCH HUNT, as our once great Country, is going to HELL!"