With former President Donald Trump insisting he will be arrested as early as Tuesday, meetings have reportedly been held between city, state and federal law enforcement agencies to prepare for mass protests or riots.
The talks come as far-right forums have been flooded with ideas to keep Trump out — with one person suggesting Trump supporters build a “Patriot moat” around the former president’s Mar-a-Lago estate in South America. Florida. so the police can’t get in.
Police in Palm Beach, Florida, did not respond to questions from The Daily Beast about the threats. But New York City Police Department sources told The Daily Beast that their officers will closely monitor social media and intelligence from federal authorities and other police departments to assess the magnitude of any protests.
If a significant demonstration occurs in the coming week, NYPD sources say the force could deploy the Strategic Response Group, a roughly 700-strong unit trained in “disorder management.” The department could, if necessary, escalate that response by deploying a level 4 alert, which would put eight officers and one sergeant on alert at each police station.
Trump believes arrest imminent, demands MAGA protests to ‘take back our nation’
While online threats remained the same Saturday night, law enforcement at all levels appear to be preparing to prevent mass violence from erupting like the January 6 Capitol riot, CNN reported.
This preparation has reportedly led to meetings between senior staffers of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office — which could potentially sue Trump as early as next week over alleged hush money payments to Stormy Daniels — officers who provide security at the Supreme Court building in lower Manhattan and police. of New York City.
Following Trump’s barrage of posts on Truth Social on Saturday — including calls for nationwide protests — some of his most hardcore supporters began tossing ideas online. Violent protest ideas gained widespread support on the pro-Trump and far-right internet forum ‘The Donald’.
“Surround Mar-A-Lago or wherever it is currently located and prevent ‘law enforcement’ from entering,” one commenter wrote, receiving hundreds of positive votes.
Another user replied, “What if they use helicopters to get around the Patriot moat?”
The idea of creating a protective barrier around Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate sparked chatter about what type of rifle ammunition could bring down low-flying planes sent to take the former president into custody.
Earlier Saturday morning, “Stop the Steal” leader Ali Alexander suggested that “100,000 patriots” “should close all routes to Mar-a-Lago.”
Despite public calls for action, Alexander said he would not participate in such an event.
Similarly, on Telegram, Alexander claimed to have spoken to far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones — who also showed no interest in organizing another protest in Trump’s name.
“He’s not protesting either,” he added of Jones. “We both have enough to do to fight the government. Not a single billionaire will cover our bills.”
During an “emergency” broadcast on Saturday, Jones cautiously tried to balance between supporting Trump’s calls for protests over a possible impeachment and warning his own followers of the potential consequences of such violent events.
“Don’t be provoked [sic] to violence,” Jones said, warning his followers about dubious agents trying to hijack pro-Trump rallies.
Neither Alexander nor Jones immediately responded to The Daily Beast’s requests for comment.
But it’s not just Jones and Alexander, many in Trumpworld have never heard of concrete plans for protests.
“Negative,” attorney and pro-Trump pundit Joseph McBride told The Daily Beast on Jan. 6. “Just a bunch of prayer watches,” he added.
Other ultra-MAGA personalities lashed out at Trump for even suggesting protests after the January 6 events.
“The last time Trump’s biggest fans protested on his behalf, he let them all rot in jail without a dime from him in legal fees,” said right-wing pundit Jesse Kelly. wrote. “Not a penny. Shame on him for this. DO NOT go to a blue area to protest for this man. Ignore this.”
Similarly, Steve Bannon ally Grace Chong discouraged Trump supporters from attending protests declare: “Do not act so stupid.”
If Trump were indicted, authorities would set a date and time for his surrender, after which he would be formally charged and arrested for fingerprinting and a mug shot. That could lead to both pro-Trump and anti-Trump protesters converging in Manhattan’s criminal court — a gathering that officials fear could spark a violent clash, CNN reported.
The New York City Police Department and the FBI have also coordinated a contingency plan to deal with an increase in threats against Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his staff if Trump’s extremist supporters — such as the Proud Boys — threaten to kill them. attacks, CNN reported, citing a source. .
Part of those discussions is also how to physically transport Trump. Secret Service agents responsible for Trump’s details in South Florida and those in New York are reportedly coordinating how to get Trump through crowds of protesters and media to the district attorney’s office. Also part of that discussion was the need to secure a space for a possible press conference outside the courthouse or at Trump Tower.
Read more at The Daily Beast.
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