New York City steps up security after Trump impeachment

NEW YORK — New York City is once again preparing security for possible protests and/or riots after a Manhattan jury voted on Thursday to indict former President Donald Trump.

As a precaution, the NYPD ordered all members of the department to report Friday in full uniform. The order includes about 36,000 officers and 19,000 civilian employees as the department tightens security measures ahead of what could be a busy weekend of pro and anti-Trump rallies across the city, particularly outside Trump Tower in city ​​center .

The Fifth Avenue location has continued to attract supporters, naysayers, and even tourists who just want to see how things are.

It’s unclear if any potential organized action could escalate, but with the veil of the Jan. 6 insurgency still looming, the NYPD and its law enforcement partners at all levels of government are preparing accordingly. . .

A spokesperson for Mayor Eric Adams said, “The Mayor is in constant contact with Commissioner Sewell on all public safety matters affecting the city. The NYPD continues to monitor all activity and there are no credible threats to the city. remains ready to respond to events on the ground and keep New Yorkers safe.”

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine was bracing for whatever might come next, tweeting Thursday night that “The NYPD and other law enforcement have been planning and coordinating extensively for this moment. The City of New York is ready.”

Meanwhile, in Lower Manhattan, District Attorney Alvin Bragg walked out of his office into a crowd of reporters, surrounded by the NYPD. This seems to be just a hint of the kind of security needed to get the former president in and out of the same building, an unprecedented logistical challenge that the NYPD and the justice system must now prepare for.

While there was a crowd in Lower Manhattan that included protesters, many of the people seen there Thursday were journalists. All of the protesters who showed up said they were there to celebrate the news.

“I’m here because I’m excited. I’m celebrating the impeachment of Donald J. Trump,” said Dr. Robert Hoatson. “Until now it was Teflon Don, but no more.”

Political analyst Carlos Vargas claimed that this accusation will unite the bases of the Republican Party for the next elections.

Nonetheless, the NYPD is preparing to welcome protesters from both sides, a response that may be warranted given that news of the indictment has sparked message boards, websites and social media platforms popular with Trump supporters Thursday night. Some dismissed it as false, while others pointed out that the allegation came just before the start of Holy Week and compared Trump to a persecuted Christ.

Scattered among the comments were calls for Trump supporters to stand up in protest. Others speculated that impeaching Trump would galvanize Republicans ahead of the 2024 election and set a precedent for future lawsuits against Democrats.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has issued a public plea for peace, saying the former president is subject to the same laws as all Americans.

“You will be able to use the legal system and a jury, not politics, to determine your fate based on the facts and the law,” Schumer said. “I encourage Trump supporters and critics to let the process unfold peacefully and in accordance with the law.”

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi encouraged the former speaker to be peaceful.

“No one is above the law and everyone has the right to a trial to prove their innocence. I hope the former president will peacefully respect the system, which grants him this right,” Pelosi said in a statement.

Rep. Dan Goldman of New York said elected officials on both sides should “speak unequivocally that there is no room for violence or political interference.”

Hours after the impeachment announcement, Trump supporters and opponents gathered outside his Mar-a-Lago property, where he is believed to be residing. On a nearby busy stretch of freeway, drivers passed by making their feelings known, honking their horns in support or shouting “lock him up.”

Kathy Clark, a 75-year-old retired police officer from suburban Palm Beach County, stood along the road with a banner that read “Trump Won.” He called Michael Cohen a liar and the accusation a farce.

“Look at Bill Clinton and his daughters in the White House. I don’t care about Trump’s personal life, it’s between him, his wife and God,” Clark said.

Across the street, Victoria Doyle, a Palm Beach County attorney, stood alone with a sign that read “He lost.”

“I celebrate our justice system, holding someone accountable for their crimes,” Doyle said. “This man used and abused our system for years and continually lied to people, manipulated people, hired countless lawyers to intimidate people.”

Some of those who gathered at the former president’s home said they expected to see many more on Friday, but it remains to be seen whether those same crowds will make it to New York.

The NYPD had previously ordered officers of all ranks to wear uniforms on patrol cars and prepare to deploy as needed. But late last week, the New York Police Department rescinded its directive that all officers report to duty in uniform, as situations have changed and the grand jury has yet to vote on the indictment.

The grand jury had been secretly hearing evidence for months in this case. Our sister channel News 4 initially reported that security plans were being worked out in case an indictment could be filed, but a day later Trump told the world he expected to be arrested on Tuesday and that there were no arrests.

The former president has denied all charges against him.

Trump is the first commander-in-chief in US history to be criminally charged.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.