According to CBS News, Donald Trump’s court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
The former president is expected to fly from Florida on his private plane and hand himself in, accompanied by federal agents.
Mr Trump has been indicted by a grand jury in connection with a $130,000 (£105,000) payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.
The charges have not yet been made public, and Mr Trump’s lawyer stated on Friday that he, too, has yet to read the indictment.
According to a law enforcement official, Mr. Trump is expected to fly his private plane to New York on Monday before surrendering to authorities on Tuesday.
The process is likely to involve dozens, if not hundreds, of Secret Service agents, according to the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Mr Trump will not be handcuffed, according to the official, who also stated that shackles are typically only used on suspects who are considered a flight or safety risk.
The hearing is scheduled to begin at 14:15 local time (19:15GMT).
Mr. Trump’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, told ABC News that the president will “probably” appear in court on Tuesday, but “nothing is certain.”
Prosecutors will “try to get every ounce of publicity they can out of this,” he said, adding that “the president will not be handcuffed.”
“I understand they’re going to close off blocks around the courthouse and shut it down,” he continued.
The FBI, NYPD, Secret Service, and New York City court officers are in charge of security.
According to CBS, officials are preparing for possible scenarios that include attacks on Mr. Trump, prosecutors, jurors, or members of the public. According to the sources, the district attorney’s office has received “many threats.”
The streets around the courthouse were calm on Friday morning, but barricades were being erected in preparation for what might happen next week.
Police officers were on patrol, and security measures were being implemented. Many people anticipate a lockdown when the former president appears in court.
According to Politico, the district attorney’s office initially requested that Mr. Trump surrender on Friday, but the request was denied because more time was required for security preparations.
Mr. Trump, 76, has denied any wrongdoing. He is the first sitting or former president of the United States to face criminal charges.
The number of charges contained in the indictment, which is still sealed, is unknown.
According to media reports, the ex-president faces more than 30 counts of business fraud, and Mr Tacopina said on Thursday that he expected 34. On Friday, however, he stated that he did not know how many.
“We know what the charges are about, and we know what the subject matter is.” “We don’t know the exact numbers or how they’re calculated,” he explained.
Mr Trump began attacking the judge assigned to his case on Friday in an attempt to undermine the credibility of the investigation and rally his base to his defense.
Republicans, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, have accused the Manhattan district attorney of using the criminal justice system to sway the presidential election next year. Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green, whom Mr. Trump recently suggested running for Senate, has called on supporters to protest and has stated that she will be in New York next week.
In response, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated that the charges were brought by New York citizens performing their civic duty, and that neither the former president nor Congress could interfere with the proceedings.
The US Capitol Police, which are tasked with protecting lawmakers in Congress, said in Washington that they expect protests across the country and have plans in place to increase security at the US Capitol.
Stormy Daniels, an adult film star, contacted media outlets in 2016 offering to sell her account of what she claimed was an adulterous affair she had with Mr Trump in 2006, the year after he married his current wife, Melania.
Mr Trump’s team learned of this, and his lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid Ms Daniels $130,000 to remain silent. This is not against the law.
However, when Mr Trump reimbursed Mr Cohen, the payment was recorded as being for legal fees. Prosecutors claim that Mr Trump falsified business records, which is a misdemeanor – a criminal offense – in New York.
Despite being pressed by journalists as he left the White House for a trip to Mississippi, President Joe Biden declined to comment on the indictment.
Mr Tacopina stated that Mr Trump is being “pursued by a prosecutor who obviously has very different political views than the president.” As a result, it’s a very troubling case.”
He stated that the former president was “not concerned at all” about the allegations.
“He’s upset and angry.” He is being politically persecuted. Many people, not just on the right, but also on the left, recognize this.”
Source: 3news
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