Former US President Donald Trump is expected to fly from Florida to New York on his private plane and surrender himself to federal agents on Tuesday, after being indicted in connection with a $130,000 pay-out to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The indictment charges against Mr Trump have not been made public yet. A law enforcement official has revealed that the process is expected to involve dozens or possibly hundreds of Secret Service agents. However, Mr Trump’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, has said that the former president will not be handcuffed, as shackles are typically used only on suspects who are thought to be a flight or safety risk.
Security arrangements for the hearing are being coordinated by the FBI, NYPD, Secret Service and New York City court officers. Sources have revealed that security personnel are bracing for possible scenarios that include attacks against Mr Trump, prosecutors, jurors or members of the public. Many threats have been received by the district attorney’s office, sources said.
Mr Trump, who denies wrongdoing, is facing more than 30 counts of business fraud, according to media reports, making him the first serving or former US president to face a criminal charge. Mr Tacopina has revealed that the exact counts or how they are formulated are still unknown. The indictment is still sealed, and the hearing is due to take place at 14:15 local time (19:15GMT).
On Friday morning, the streets around the courthouse were calm, but security arrangements were being put into place. Police officers were on patrol, and the barricades were going up in anticipation of what may come next week. The district attorney’s office had initially asked Mr Trump to surrender on Friday, but the request was rejected because more time was needed for security preparations.
Mr Trump has already started attacking the judge assigned to his case in an effort 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 weaponizing the criminal justice system to influence next year’s presidential election. Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green has called on followers to protest and said she plans to be present in New York next week.
In response, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has said that the charges have been brought by citizens of New York doing their civic duty – and neither the former president nor Congress could interfere with proceedings. In Washington, the US Capitol Police has said the force believes protests will take place across the country and has plans in place to increase security at the US Capitol.
In 2016, adult film star Stormy Daniels contacted media outlets offering to sell her account of what she said was an adulterous affair she had with Mr Trump in 2006. Mr Trump’s team got wind of this, and his lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid $130,000 to Ms Daniels to keep quiet. When Mr Trump reimbursed Mr Cohen, the record for the payment says it was for legal fees. Prosecutors say this amounts to Mr Trump falsifying business records, which is a misdemeanour – a criminal offense – in New York.
Mr Tacopina has said that Mr Trump is being pursued by a prosecutor who has very diverse political views from the president, making it a very troubling case. However, he added that the former president is “not worried at all” about the charges and that he is being persecuted politically
