Police in major US cities are preparing for possible riots if former US President Donald Trump is arrested on charges of paying hush money, the BBC writes.
Authorities in New York, Washington DC, and Los Angeles have increased police presence on the streets.
Manhattan prosecutors could charge Trump with paying hush money to a porn star to keep the woman quiet about an alleged affair.
Metal barricades are placed around the Manhattan courthouse on Monday, the 20th of March. If Trump is arrested, that’s where the charges will be announced. More police officers are also currently stationed at Trump Towers.
In Los Angeles, police and officials prepare for protests by Trump supporters outside the federal government building.
US intelligence officials have noted a rise in online threats against lawyers and government officials since Trump announced on social media on Saturday, the 18th of March, that he expects to be arrested on Tuesday. Most of the threats were directed at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
The court appointed Bragg to be in charge of determining whether there is enough evidence to indict Trump. The case is related to Trump’s request to his former lawyer Michael Cohen to pay porn star Stormy Daniels 130 thousand dollars. This amount was supposed to buy Daniels’s silence before the 2016 US presidential election. A payment order made to Cohen’s account said it was for «legal services.» Prosecutors may insist that this amount constitutes falsification of financial and tax information. This is a misdemeanor in New York and can be considered a felony as well.
US Secret Service agents will reportedly continue to watch after Trump, even if he is arrested. The media also indicate that the usual scene of the arrest, when the accused is led away in handcuffs, most likely won’t be observed.
Trump is still determined to run in the US presidential elections scheduled for 2024, even if he is indicted. However, 44% of Republican supporters say Trump should withdraw from that race if he is indicted.
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