A law enforcement source said the New York Police Department along with federal, state and local agencies are preparing for possible indictment of former President Donald Trump in New York as early as next week.
The NYPD and other law enforcement agencies — including the U.S. Secret Service and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force — are preparing security plans in and around the Manhattan criminal courthouse where Trump will potentially appear if he is charged with $130,000 in alleged cash payments to Stormy Daniels, an adult film star, according to a source. Daniels alleges the money was paid to cover up a sexual encounter with Trump years earlier.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg addressed the security issue in an email to employees on Saturday, telling them that “your safety is our top priority.” The content of the email, which was first reported by Politico, was confirmed to CBS News.
“We do not tolerate attempts to intimidate our office or threaten the rule of law in New York,” Bragg wrote. “Our law enforcement partners will ensure that any specific or credible threats to the office are fully investigated and that appropriate safeguards are in place to ensure that all 1,600 of us have a safe working environment.”
Michael Cohen, Trump’s former personal attorney, pleaded guilty in 2018 to campaign finance charges stemming from his involvement in the payments and was sentenced to three years in prison.
The alleged scheme first came to light years ago, when Trump was still in office. The investigation gained new momentum in recent months, when the Manhattan District Attorney’s office convened a grand jury to look into the matter.
A New York grand jury has heard the case and could vote to indict Trump.
On Saturday, Trump, who denies the allegations, he said in a social media post that he expected to be arrested on Tuesday.
He added that “illegal leaks” from the Manhattan District Attorney’s office indicate that “THE LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE AND FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WILL BE ARRESTED Tuesday next week.”
Trump also asked his supporters to protest, saying, “THEY ARE KILLING OUR NATION WHILE WE SIT AND WATCH. WE MUST SAVE AMERICA! PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST!!!”
The indictment against the former president would be the first in American history as Trump seeks the GOP presidential nomination in 2024.
Pat Milton
