New York's ring of steel for Trump's impending indictment trends now
New York police began installing barriers on Monday morning around the Manhattan court complex where Donald Trump is expected to be arrested this week, as the city braces for angry protests.
The former president announced at the weekend that he expects to be arrested this week as a grand jury prepares to hear from the final witness in an investigation into hush money paid to a porn star.
So while Trump's team spent the weekend preparing its strategy to handle the latest legal twist, Police Department officials and the mayor's top public safety aides met to discuss how to handle protests.
It comes amid online chatter suggesting armed protesters could try to prevent law enforcement officers from arresting Trump.
The result was a ring of steel being built around the Lower Manhattan courthouse, where Trump would be arraigned.
New York Police Department staff install barricades around the Lower Manhattan court complex ahead of former President Donald Trump's anticipated indictment
It follows Trump's own call for protests, raising fears that his supporters could go on the rampage like they did on Jan. 6, 2021.
On Saturday he announced on his Truth Social media platform that: 'The far and away leading Republican candidate and former president of the United States of America will be arrested on Tuesday of next week.
'Protest, take our nation back!'
He kept up a bitter stream of commentary over the weekend, railing against New York prosecutor Alvin Bragg.
Bragg's office is believed to be coming to the end of its investigation in to payments to adult movie star Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about an affair with Trump — allegations he has long denied.
In an email to staff on Saturday, first reported by Politico, he sought to assure prosecutors and other members of his office that he has been working with police and court officials to ensure their safety.
'We do not tolerate attempts to intimidate our office or threaten the rule of law in New York,' he wrote. 'Our law enforcement partners will ensure that any specific or
